Beyond a Doubt

by Felicia Rogers

  “As ye wish.” He struggled to contain his delight.

  At once he moved to fulfill Lucy’s desire. He removed the covering from the skirt frame, and laid it on the ground close to the glowing embers. Task complete, Bryce stretched out, opened his arms wide and waited for Lucy to lie down beside him. He pulled a cover over them as she snuggled her back against his chest and used her bent arm as a headrest.

  The velvet of her gown rubbed at his arms, reminding him of her soft, smooth skin underneath the gown. He placed his finger in her hair, and smoothed it behind her ear in a repetitive motion. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Unwilling to remain silent, Bryce asked, “Why were ye in the Highlands, lass?”

  Lucy covered a yawn then answered, “I make several trips a year to the Scottish court.”

  “Why?”

  “It is a great place to gather information.”

  “Ye jest?”

  “Nay, I do not. Since Mary was sent to live with Henry II here in France, words of conspiracy travel freely between the two countries. Father said ‘the best place to gather gossip is amongst friends’. And he was correct. The trips to Scottish keeps were most informative. No laird is satisfied with the thought of English rule. The Treaty of Greenwich, which promised Mary to Prince Edward, started all of it. Anyway, discontent breeds many tales.” She laughed. “The challenge was never hearing information, but distinguishing the rumor from fact and then finding a way to carry the message back. There are only certain matters which concern me, of course.”

  Between yawns they discussed past methods used to carry messages. Bryce continued to stroke Lucy’s silken tresses as words slowed to a standstill and he realized the lass had fallen asleep.

  A few moments later Lucy rolled over. Bryce rolled to his back. In her sleep she fluffed his chest like a pillow, and threw her long slender leg over his thigh, pinning him to the ground.

  The sweet torture lasted the rest of the night. When the sun rose, Bryce wriggled free. He needed a douse in a stream of cool water.

  Walking away from the sleeping lass, he was surprised to hear voices.

  “I tell you they came this way.”

  “How do you know? We didn’t follow them from town. We have seen no tracks because of the dark. So tell me how do you know?”

  “Well, my esteemed leader—“

  “Lose the sarcasm.”

  “I can’t believe you found so many men willing to go along with your lie.”

  “Pierre, must you keep talking.”

  “Yes, I must.” A chuckle rent the morning air, disturbing the birds and causing them to take flight.

  Bryce made sure he couldn’t be seen as he continued to listen.

  “And to have the Admiral actually back down to you like that. That must have felt good. Imagine him believing you were the real thing. Royal soldier, indeed.”

  “Shut up.”

  “I want to know where you found all the uniforms and the men to fit them. Come on, share your secret.”

  “I didn’t,” the man said, unable to hide the smugness.

  “What?”

  “You ninnyhammer, I am a real soldier. The Admiral has betrayed the trust of the Crown. It took nothing to convince a few of my friends that I was indeed on an errand from the King. Once I did that, they followed me willingly enough.”

  “Clever. But I still don’t understand the point. Why go through so much trouble? You already know Lombard has the message. You already know what it says. You already disposed of Joshua. What could chasing down the feeble lass accomplish now?”

  “You know nothing! Lucy took the note from my possession! If she gives it to the Admiral and the plot is thwarted, then my life is over.”

  Bryce couldn’t control the swift intake of breath.

  “Did you hear that?”

  “Charles, what are you so worried about? If the lass even made it to Caen—“

  “She was at the celebration.”

  “So you say. If she attended the party, then your presence surely scared her away. She thinks you work for the King and are set to bring her in.”

  “She would be partly correct.”

  Bryce waited no more. True fear and confusion led him back to where Lucy slept.

  With a stretch, Lucy sat upright. A smile played at her lips until she spotted his expression. “What’s wrong?”

  “We must leave now,” he whispered, with a look over his shoulder.

  Lucy must have sensed his urgency because she hastened to ready herself. Before she could put on the skirt frame he placed his hands upon her waist and hoisted her through the air.

  He held his desire to run Emissary; the noise might alert their followers. Instead he instigated a slow walk. Once upon the road, they increased their speed and headed back to Caen.

  ****

  Tomorrow was the day of Admiral Coligny’s announcement. Jean had paced until a worn spot appeared in the study rug. Word came that Gustav still resided in Caen. Jean was glad the man had disobeyed. The Admiral needed all the friends he could get.

  “Jean, please do stop fretting.”

  “I will discontinue my fretting as soon as you postpone the announcement.”

  “I see no reason—“

  He slapped the top of the desk. “There are plenty of reasons. What of the imposter from the celebration?”

  “They must have had a complaint against Mademoiselle Lombard, nothing more.”

  “Of course they had a complaint! She tried to save your life! The woman is the spy with the message.”

  “Now, Jean, what a ludicrous statement.”

  “Gaspard, listen to me. The original L.L. was Lucille Lombard’s father, Louis. When he passed, she must have picked up the torch. We know beyond a doubt that the lady takes several trips a year to Scotland. It has to be her. It is the only thing that fits.”

  “But I thought Joshua—“

  “Gustav, his sister, and Max have risked everything to discover the contact’s identity. Spalding knew nothing because he desired to know nothing. He was content to walk around town in his savvy clothes, be pursued by fawning women, and drop a message in our direction when it was convenient for him. But still he knew nothing of what really occurred and he didn’t care to know. Just as I fear you are now doing.”

  “Jean! I’m shocked by your tone.”

  “And I’m shocked by your insistence that the plot against your life is false.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “It doesn’t matter? For all that is holy, don’t do this.”

  The Admiral stood and left. Jean stared at the retreating form until his friend was no longer visible.

  He had made his decision. No matter the consequences, the Admiral would declare Brazil a fit country for the French Protestants. He would stand up in defiance of the French leaders and in the process perhaps doom them all.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Lucy directed Bryce to the Lombard villa under much protest. When they arrived, Grace was beside herself.

  “My lady, where have you been?”

  “Has anyone come looking for me?” Lucy asked as she checked doors and windows.

  “Nay, although I did see several men snooping around outside. They left soon enough after I showed them my broom.”

  “Very good.”

  The maid disliked being ignored and seemed none too pleased by Bryce’s appearance. “Who is this?”

  “A friend.”

  “Now, mistress, we have discussed unexpected guests. The house has been boarded up for many years. The rooms have to be aired and freshened, the linens washed, the—“

  “He can have my room.”

  “My lady?” the maid asked with genuine astonishment and censor.

  “I shall sleep on the couch, Grace. I haven’t the time to argue at the moment. Please see to acquiring us something to eat.”

  “But—“

  “Grace, now.”

  She curtseyed and said grudgingly, “Aye, my lady.�
��

  After Grace left, Bryce turned to Lucy. “Ye might have explained a wee bit more to the lass.”

  “This is hardly the time. If what you heard in the woods was true, then we have very little time to waste.”

  “I’m confused. I thought Charles stole yer trunk.”

  “He did.”

  “I thought he did so to recover the message.”

  “Aye, I believe that was his purpose.”

  “But…”

  Lucy stopped and turned around. “Bryce, you must understand, Charles was the envoy who carried the message from France to Scotland. The fool became drunk at a celebration and boasted he carried a fan with damaging information. Quite frankly when I heard the man gossiping at the Scottish keep, I never saw his face, only the back of his head. After I heard about the fan containing the information, I snuck into his room and took the item without doing much else. After which I left the keep as soon as possible and headed back to England to find my contact.

  “Charles must have followed me. Along the way, at one of the inns I visited, a distinguished gentleman gave me special attention. I’m sorry to say at the time I thought the affections genuine.”

  “But the trunk?”

  “Oh, yes, the trunk.” The smile spread across her face. “He stole my things. I never suspected it was Charles until much later. He must have hoped to retrieve what he’d lost. Of course it didn’t work.”

  Lucy paced, tapping her finger to her head. “By now he must realize I’ve deciphered the message. Who would have thought he was a master of disguise as well. Pretending to be a soldier for so long. Even the Admiral believed him.

  “You know, I never guessed it was he who took Spalding to the alley and disposed of him.” She sighed. “Tomorrow is our last chance. I don’t believe we can reach the Admiral before he is set to speak, but I do believe maybe we can stop the attempt.”

  Lucy turned to walk away, but Bryce stopped her. “Ye think ye are goin’ to walk into an assassination attempt?”

  “Aye, I do.”

  “Nay, ye are not.”

  “But—“

  “Ye will direct me. I will stop the attempt. I will never allow ye into harm’s way.”

  Lucy was warmed by Bryce’s declaration. Unable to control herself, she leaned in to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. On tiptoe she angled until their lips met. Initially the kiss was to be nothing more than a light brush, but when their flesh touched Lucy realized she wanted more.

  Closer and closer her body pressed to his. The kiss deepened. Bryce’s hand was now in her hair, pulling her in deeper and deeper. As their mouths melded as one, Lucy’s heart threatened to burst. Her breath came in rasping gasps. When Lucy thought she could stand the torment no longer, Bryce pulled away.

  She lifted her chin. Bryce’s eyes were brighter than usual. “Lucy, I need to tell ye something.”

  “Aye?”

  “I, well, I—“

  “Humph,” came a disgruntled voice from behind. Lucy and Bryce both turned in time to see Grace’s frown.

  Lucy removed herself from Bryce’s grasp. His arms dropped to his sides, a dejected look resting on his face.

  “Bryce, you wished to tell me something.”

  He shook his head as he walked out the door.

  Lucy stared at his retreating form. The maid’s grunt of dissatisfaction interrupted her thoughts.

  “Grace, what are you doing in here?”

  “I just came to tell Monsieur his room is ready, I didn’t realize he’d be mauling you.”

  “Grace, please, it was naught more than an innocent kiss.”

  “I don’t know who you are trying to fool. That was much more than an innocent kiss. I dare say the man is looking forward to bedding you.”

  “Grace! You should know—“

  “Oui, I do. I know you are not the kind, but the question is, does he?”

  As the maid moved about the room, Lucy looked out the window. In front of the house, Bryce paced back and forth. His arms rose and fell, his hands fluttered through the air, his lips moved soundlessly. He resembled a madman.

  Surely Bryce had known her long enough to have realized her character? He knew she wasn’t one to give of her charms freely, right?

  Of course he did. After all, he was the one who’d broken off the kiss.

  Those thoughts plagued her as she worried over what to do, not only about Bryce but also about the attempt on the Admiral’s life.

  ****

  “This is ridiculous. I should just blurt out how I feel. Why did I let the maid stop me?” He ran an agitated hand through his hair. What was wrong with him? Perhaps he should go back to nodding and shrugging. What was the point? The lass was determined to get herself killed; then he wouldn’t have to worry either way.

  Why were women so infuriating? Arbella, Duncan’s wife, had been a nightmare to guard. Lyall had been crazy. Lucy was not far behind.

  The daft woman was impossible to contain and determined to harm herself. She was also beautiful, sweet, courageous, and self-sacrificing. He couldn’t help but love her.

  He found a bench outside that seemed the perfect place to sit and contemplate his life. To start with, tomorrow he would stop a murder. Had he really offered to do such a thing? He dropped his head into his hands. Prayer after prayer rolled from his lips. When he finished, a feeling of peace settled over him.

  “Bryce?” came a timid voice.

  “Aye?”

  “Are you going to come back inside?”

  He nodded.

  “I’m sorry about earlier.”

  “Aye, so am I.”

  A frown dotted her brow but she didn’t ask for an explanation. Instead she said, “We need to discuss our plan. And it is not safe to be outside.”

  He placed his hand upon her arm and directed her inside. His touch was light, but still he could feel her warm heat through the fabric. Once inside she moved away from him and pointed toward the hallway.

  “Your room is ready.”

  “Nay, yer room is ready.”

  “But Bryce, the couch in the parlor is too small for you. If you stay here, you won’t sleep a wink. Please take my bed.”

  “Nay, ye will take yer own bed. I’ll find a way to be comfortable.”

  “But—“

  He spoke firmly, “Lucy, go to yer room.”

  Bryce heaved a sigh of relief as Lucy disappeared. His change in tone had sent her away without even a question. This pleased Bryce immensely. Once he was sure Lucy wasn’t coming back, he walked to the parlor. Indeed the couch in the room was short. Without even trying it out, he grabbed a cushion and placed it on the floor.

  Instead of lying down, he sat with his back to the couch and stared into the fire. They had neglected to discuss the plans for tomorrow. What was there to say? They would simply catch the Admiral before he stood upon the platform and tell him that making the announcement would put him in danger.

  After they averted the threat, and had Charles arrested, Bryce would take Lucy home to Cameron lands.

  Bryce stretched upon the floor. Worry set aside, he relied on God to ensure everything worked out

  Nothing would get in their way; he was sure of it. With the help of God, the plan would be foolproof.

  Chapter Fifty-Three

  The plan was not foolproof. Everything was going wrong.

  “Bryce, this won’t work.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because you don’t know the city. Because you aren’t known or trusted. Because they know who I am, not you.”

  “All I need to do is give them the fan.”

  “No, that is not all. Besides, you will never get that close to the Admiral.”

  “But Monsieur Broussard knows me.”

  Lucy gnawed her lip. All morning she’d given excuse after excuse as to why she should be the one to deliver the message. Every argument she’d given, Bryce had refuted. They’d been at it for hours.

  “Bryce, our time is run
ning out.”

  “Aye, ye are correct. This must mean we are going together.”

  “Bryce, I—“

  “Ye don’t want my help, I know. Ye want me to return to my sheep and leave ye to sacrifice yerself for mankind. But fact is, I am here and I care too much for ye to let ye go alone. So grab yer fan and let’s be on our way.”

  Finally, Lucy had no argument left. Together they hailed a hackney. They appeared as any other French couple out on a ride. Lucy smiled lovingly and Bryce patted her arm affectionately. They stared into one another’s eyes, lost in each other’s company.

  When the carriage came to a sudden halt, both acted irritated at the interruption to their moment of love.

  “I’m sorry but I can’t go any further. The road ahead is congested.”

  Bryce paid the man and they left the hackney, moving on to fulfill their destiny. Once upon the cobbled streets, they followed the crowd toward a grassy area with a large platform in the middle.

  Tension gripped Lucy, and Bryce pulled her closer to his side. He whispered to her, “I’m here with ye. We will do this together.”

  His words caused her to relax, but with each step she reverted back. Fear and worry had her leaning more and more upon him. Lucy started to panic as they closed in on the platform.

  “We’ll never reach him in time. Look at all these people!”

  “Follow me.”

  They moved around the edge of the crowd. A group of people climbed onto the platform.

  Jean Broussard walked close by the Admiral’s side. He shook hands, kissed babies, and hugged young women. With Admiral Coligny’s first step onto the platform, the crowd roared. He stopped and raised his hands to garner silence.

  Bryce and Lucy pushed harder. Elbows hit their ribs. Heels kicked their shins. People complained as they wedged themselves through the crowd.

  Finally they reached the edge. Pressed hard on all sides, they looked around for an opening. Neither Jean nor the Admiral were close enough to talk to them. The Admiral made his way to a wooden stand in the middle of the platform. Everyone except the Admiral smiled.

  As Bryce studied the crowd, a man caught his eye. Some familiarity caused Bryce to study him further.