Past Master mog-3

by Nigel Tranter

  'Spies…?'

  'Informants, then!'

  'To be sure, informants is a better word, entirely. Information is an excellent thing, is it not, my lord?' The big fellow chuckled -a cheerful soul it seemed. 'Och, we can never be having sufficient of it, to be sure. Holy Writ says something of the sort, does it not? It is information I think, from some good informant, that brings the King's Lieutenant here to Duart, this day?'

  'H'mmm.'

  Mary gently disengaged herself from her captor's grasp. 'You also are a Maclean?' she asked, smiling a little.

  'Are not we all, lady? But I am Hector. Hector Ruari Younger of Duart. And you… you are very fair, whatever!'

  'I thank you,' she said gravely, although Ludovick frowned. 'For your information, I am Mary Gray, mistress to my lord Duke.'

  Grinning, the big man looked from one to the other assessingly. 'Come,5 he said. 'I'll be taking you to my father.'

  He turned and led them up the steep climbing path to the castle, gallantly offering Mary his arm – and when she declined its aid, masterfully taking her own. There was only room for two abreast on that track, so perforce the Duke had to come up behind, water squelching about inside his thigh-boots unpleasantly. By half-way. the martial figure of Lachlan Beg had come up and taken his place at his side, no word spoken.

  So they came to the outer bailey, crowded with armed clansmen who watched, silent, a distinctly daunting company. Here two more pipers met them;, and turned to escort the little party, marching before them and striking up a lively air. Thus they crossed the slantwise naked rock to an inner bailey, where other men stood waiting. These were more elaborately dressed in finer tartans, and bore themselves proudly – obviously gentlemen and minor chieftains of the clan. They offered no sort of greeting, but fell into place behind the four and the pipers, to pace across the inner courtyard.

  In the open arched doorway of the central keep itself, directly below those hanging figures high above, a single man stood, tall deerhounds at his side. It was quite a lofty arch, but even so this man stooped slightly, and not from age or infirmity. He was quite the largest individual that either Ludovick or Mary had ever seen, dwarfing even the burly Hector Ruari, as all others there. He must have been at least seven feet tall, and broadly built m proportion, with huge shoulders and a great barrel of a chest. His features were leonine and ruddy, his blue eyes keen but strangely pale, and his plentiful hair which had been notably blond and was now silvering, fell to his shoulders. He wore a red tartan doublet a long embroidered waistcoat, and tartan trews cunningly cut on the slant to clothe his tremendous thighs and calves close as a glove right to the ankle. His expression was stern, but he smiled gravely as his eldest son came up with Mary, to step aside and allow Ludovick to approach him first

  The bagpipe music died away in bubbling groans, both above and below, and only the screaming seabirds continued their accompaniment.

  'Duke of Lennox – I rejoice to see you,' the chief said, his voice curiously light and musical for so vast a man. 'I bid you welcome to my bumble house. A pleasure it is to receive the representative of King James.' He turned to Mary and bowed a little – thus emphasising that he had not bowed to the Duke. 'And you, lady – all that is mine is at your service.'

  Ludovick cleared his throat, and spoke almost as carefully as did the others. 'Sir Lachlan – your fame is known to me, to all. I have come far to see you. I rejoice to have reached Duart safely. I have noted your… arrangements for my reception!'

  'Had you sent word of your coming; Duke of Lennox, I would have received you more fittingly! But perhaps King James's Lieutenant must be discreet in how he visits one whom King James and his Council have seen fit to forfeit!' The English was as perfect as his every word was significant, however gentle the slightly sing-song intonation of the North-West.

  The other schooled his features to expressionlessness. 'Your services to His Grace, I am sure, will outweigh any such unfortunate edict, sir,' he answered slowly in turn. 'I came secretly for other but good reason. That others should not know of my visit, and that I might travel the faster. The matter that brought me is urgent.'

  The big man nodded. 'The matter of Clan Donald, I have no doubt. I can think of no other that would bring the representative of James Stewart to Duart, Duke of Lennox!'

  Ludovick inclined his head. That is the reason, yes. And is it so strange that the King's Lieutenant should be here – when, Sir Lachlan, I understand that you receive Queen Elizabeth of England's representative almost yearly!'

  There was silence then as they eyed each other, and all others watched and waited. Now at last they knew where they stood. Lennox had served notice that he knew of Maclean's English pension, and indicated clearly the chief's duty and service to his own monarch; the other had evidenced his resentment at the sentence of forfeiture passed upon him over his feuding with the MacDonalds. and hinted at his refusal to acknowledge over-lordship of any sovereign by his persistent use of the term King James instead of the King. Notable also was his refusal to accord the customary my lord to Ludovick – or, no doubt, to any man.

  The giant seemed in no hurry for further speech. For his part, the Duke bit back the words that sprang to his lips, and instead raised his head to contemplate the corpses hanging there against the blue of the sky.

  'Mainly MacDonalds!' the chief observed, briefly. Then he turned to Mary again. 'This lady – how do I receive her, Duke of Lennox?' he asked, in a different tone.

  'As my wife, sir.' That was crisp.

  'Very well. Her sire is known to me. The Lady Grizel awaits her. I bid you both enter my house.'

  Involuntarily, Ludovick heaved a sigh of relief, as possibly did others. The pipers took up their refrain once more, but remained to pace and blow outside as Sir Lachlan led his visitors into the echoing vaulted corridors of Duart Castle.

  Mary was delivered into the motherly charge of the Lady Grizel Cunningham, who greeted her in friendly fashion. Maclean was unusual in this also, that he had married a Lowland wife, a daughter of the Earl of Glencairn, from Ayrshire. Undoubtedly she pined for the gossip of her own kind. Ludovick was taken to a chamber on the second floor, where three Highland servants awaited him. One was a plump, sonsy smiling girl, and after the merest flickered glance at his guest Maclean dismissed her casually.

  'A meal awaits you below, when you are ready,' he mentioned. 'Anything which you require, these will serve you. They speak your tongue.'

  'I thank you, Sir Lachlan. You are… thoughtful!'

  The magnificent meal over at last, Maclean filled a great drinking-horn with amber liquor, sipped it, and then passed it to the Duke. 'Your good health and good fortune, sir,' he said. 'And now – to our business.'

  The Lady Grizel rose, at her cue, glancing at Mary Gray. But though that young woman smiled and nodded, she did not rise in turn.

  'If it is permitted, I would remain, to listen,' she said, greatly daring. Her expression was modesty itself, however.

  Maclean and his sons stared – although Hector Ruari, who had hardly taken his eyes from the girl's face throughout the repast, looked well content, as did the youngest of the family, Ian Ban, a lanky lad of eighteen- There seemed to be no Maclean daughters.

  "The Lady Mary is much interested in affairs. Interested -and wise,' Ludovick said. 'She is, h'm, the Master of Gray's daughter!'

  'Ah!' Maclean nodded and shrugged in one. 'I have met the Master.' He made no other comment.

  A little uncertainly the Lady Grizel left them.

  Ludovick barely touched his whisky although the others, even the young Ian Ban; were drinking deeply. 'Sir Lachlan,' he said, 'the Lady Mary it was whom my Lord of Argyll told of your message. Regarding the Clan Donald. At Stirling. Conceiving it my business: she rode hot-foot north to Aberdeen, to inform me. I set out for Duart the very next morning.'

  'Then you have not come from Stirling? From King James and die Council?'

  'No. I am the Lieutenant of the North. The responsi
bility is mine. To discover the truth of this matter. To learn what action may be necessary.'

  Keenly the other searched his face. 'James Stewart does not even know that you are here?'

  'No. Leastways, not of my telling.'

  'And the Master of Gray? He knows naught of this, either?'

  'The Master has his own sources of information. Who can tell what he knows or does not know? But… he has learned nothing of this from me.'

  The big man looked at Mary.

  She shook her head. 'I have not seen my father for two weeks. He is at his justice ayres. At Forfar.'

  'You would pass Forfar, would you not, riding to Aberdeen, lady?'

  'I did not turn aside to call on him, sir.'

  Maclean stroked his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. 'That is what you meant, then, Duke of Lennox, when you said that you came secretly?'

  'In part, yes. This matter is so uncertain, so delicate, that we decided that none should know of it until we learned the truth.'

  'God be good!' Lachlan Barrach burst out. 'There is little uncertain or delicate here, I swear! Donald Gorm and Angus of Dunyveg are at Rum and Eigg and Coll and Tiree, sword in hand! And Clanranald and his kin ravage Morvern and Ardgour – Maclean lands. They all but surround Mull, in their arrogance! What is delicate there, sir…?

  His father signed him to silence. 'If the Duke of Lennox esteems it delicate, Lachlan, then no doubt he has good reason?'

  That was a question, and Ludovick felt that too much questioning was coming from Lachlan Mor. 'Sir.' he said, 'you are well informed. It is clear. Have you learned where this MacDonald thrust is aimed? Is it to aid Huntly? Against the King? Or against Argyll, perhaps? Or even yourself…?'

  'I believe it to be aimed at Ireland. To aid Tyrone and O'Donnell.'

  'That is the word you sent Argyll, yes. But is it so indeed? Why should Clan Donald aid the Irish?' 'For gold. Spanish gold.'

  'Aye. But… even so? Would the Spaniards be so eager to spend their gold for that?'

  'They ever seek to weaken England. A great uprising in Ireland would force Queen Elizabeth to send ever more men to hold down that country. And so weaken England.'

  'M'mmm.' Ludovick glanced at Mary. He could scarcely declare that they in fact believed the gold to be English, not Spanish, and so demolish the other's theory.

  'Spanish gold might be equally well spent, might it not, aiding Huntly in place of the Irish?' Mary suggested diffidently. 'If Scotland could be turned Catholic again, would that not serve Philip of Spain no less?'

  The big man looked at her consideringly from those pale eyes. 'I think not. That would take a deal longer. Besides, Donald Gorm is assembling more and more galleys in the havens of Coll and Tiree. From all over the Isles. What purpose would these serve were he aiming at the mainland, to aid Huntly?'

  'He is? You are certain of this?' Ludovick demanded. Coll and Tiree were the outermost isles of the Inner Hebrides, and surely would never be selected as an assembly place for any attack on the mainland.

  'Think you that I would not know such a thing!' the chief gave back haughtily. 'That I am not watching them like a hawk?

  I have men, galleys, fishing-boats, watching every move that they make.'

  'Yes, yes – I understand. But why do they need more and more galleys? Out there?'

  'To carry the mainland branches of the Confederacy to Ireland – Clanranald, Glengarry, Knoydart. Keppoch, and the rest. These, being mainly inland clans, have no galleys – or but a few. They gather there for a swift descent on the Irish coast -where no word may reach the English fleet. Small craft can bring out the others to Coll and Tiree. These galleys are for the open sea crossing. And the assault on the Ulster coast.'

  'I see. Yes, it could be so. The English ships – where are they? Of that, no doubt sir, you are equally well informed?'

  'Naturally. Save for a small squadron, off Dublin, they are massed in the south. Elizabeth fears aid to the Irish from Spain and France – not from Scotland. I have sent word – but it has a long road to travel. It could be weeks before the main English might can reach these waters.'.

  Mary drew a quick breath, as though to speak, and then changed her mind.

  'Then what is to be done?' Ludovick demanded. 'Such an attack on Ireland could be almost as ill a blow at Scotland as at England. It would anger Elizabeth against James. It would enhearten the Catholics everywhere. And if it was successful, France and Spain and the Pope could use Ireland to invade Scotland just as readily as England. More so,i'faith! Possibly to attack England through Scotland.'

  'I rejoice that the Lieutenant of the North perceives it so!' Lachlan Mor said grimly. 'Argyll, and those others I have warned, but consider the danger to their own lands, it seems, should the MacDonalds turn eastwards against them. Naught else concerns them.'

  'And you? You take the longer view, sir? You see the danger to the realm? And would act, if need be?'

  'I shall act, Duke of Lennox. Even though your King James and his Council proclaim me forfeit. Though I act alone!'

  'You would so act, I think, not out of love for the realm, Sir Lachlan, but for Queen Elizabeth! And out of hatred for Clan Donald! Is it not so?'

  The other looked at Ludovick steadily, unwinking, but did not answer.

  'Maclean acts as Maclean sees fit!' Lachlan Barrach declared strongly. 'In the Isles, that is enough.'

  'Does it so greatly matter why the MacDonalds are halted, so long as halted they are?' Mary Gray asked. 'Maclean's cause, the King's cause, even Queen Elizabeth's cause, could all be at one in this.'

  'Well said!' Hector Ruari approved. 'The lady has the rights of it.'

  His father nodded. 'So I see it. So I act. My galleys lie ready, beneath these walls. Throughout Mull my people wait. I could strike tomorrow But… what can King James do? Can he lend a single blow to the onset? The cause may be one – but effecting it would seem to be all for Maclean!'

  'That is it, by the powers!' his younger son cried.

  Ludovick spoke slowly, carefully. 'There is much; I think, that the King may do – through his Lieutenant of the Noith. I hold fullest powers to act in the King's name. To raise men; to command service, to exact provision, gear, arms, horses. To take over houses, shipping. All in the King's name.'

  Lachlan Barrach's snort and his father's level stare demonstrated how much they thought of such powers, and how much attention would be paid to them in the Highlands and Islands.

  But the Duke leaned forward over the table urgently. 'Wait before you scoff!' he charged. 'What if, in the King's name, I lift the sentence of forfeiture? If I accredit Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart to act in the same King's name against the still forfeited Clan Donald, now in open revolt? If I authorise Maclean to demand men, seize boats and take victuals^ commanding the aid of all leal subjects of the realm, under pain of treason? Does that not play a different tune?'

  He had their attention now. The turning of the forfeiture into a royal commission of fire and sword against the MacDonalds, which was what Lennox's proposal amounted to, was a dramatic and notable inducement. The royal power in this area was negligible – but Maclean acting in the name of such royal power was a different matter altogether.

  'Would King James and the Council agree to such?' Lachlan Mor demanded shrewdly.

  Ludovick considered his finger-nails. 'Is that important?' he asked, in turn. 'They might not, I admit. From prejudice and lack of knowledge of the true position. They might seek to repudiate what I had done afterwards – were we unsuccessful. They would not, if we were successful, I think. But either way, that need not trouble us now – for it would take much time for them to hear of it, and then to do aught concerning it. Meantime, I am the Lieutenant and have full and undoubted powers to act as I think best in the King's name and service. The responsibility is mine, Sir Lachlan.'

  The older man eyed him steadily. 'There is much in what you say, Duke of Lennox,' he admitted at length. His glance slid over to Mary. 'This, I say, is unc
ommon like the work of the Master of Gray!'

  'Like, may be-in some measure,' Ludovick conceded. 'But it is not, sir, nevertheless. I propose what I believe is best for the King and the realm. Do you agree to it? Your forfeiture cancelled? And you to act to prevent the Clan Donald's descent on Ireland – or anywhere else indeed – in the King's name?'

  'Aye. But on one condition. You must act with me. At my side. For I will not act under King James's authority. With his authority – that I can use. Maclean will act with King James's Lieutenant – not for him!'

  'I understand. It shall be as you say. If you will bring me paper and pen, I shall write it so, that there be no mistake. We can agree the words together.'

  'Aye, so. Duke of Lennox, I think we may work well together!' The big man smiled faintly. 'And while you use pen, sir – write you to MacCailean Moi, to Argyll, commanding men and galleys. Not to sit close defending Campbell lands, but out here, to assail King James's enemies! And quickly. A score of galleys and two thousand men, shall we say, for a start?'

  Ludovick drew a hand over his mouth. 'That is… apt!' he said. 'I shall do that. There are others too that we can summon?'

  'To be sure. MacDougall of Lorne. MacNeil of Barra. MacQuarrie of Ulva. Stewart of Appin. And lesser men.'

  'Very well. Let us to work. There is no time to be lost..

  'I am proud of you, Vicky,' Mary said. "You have done splendidly. You have held your own all day, in the face of this proud and wily chief. And you have gained what you set out to gain, and more.'

  'What we set out to gain, Mary. I could not have done it without you. As well you know. Yours is the mind behind all this. And I think that Maclean knows it likewise! Often when he seems to be speaking to me, it is you that he watches. I have seen it. He is no fool.'

  'And you have shown him that you are not, either, Vicky. You have achieved much – more than I had looked for. If only we are in time.'

  'Aye. There's the danger. Time. Will the MacDonalds give us time? Time to assemble these forces that I have written for? Time to bring them to bear?'