“That seems to be fair enough. If I am not convinced of your story, then there won't be a letter to write. You keep forgetting who the prisoner is here.”
“Well since you remind me at every opportunity, it makes a man hard press to forget,” he replied with sarcasm.
Skye shook herself from his touch and sat upon the rock propped against the shade tree. She picked at the heather surrounding her to give her hands something to do. Otherwise she would throw herself in his arms. While she wasn’t frightened from his grip earlier, it gave her doubt on his character. While the evidence she held portrayed him as a villain, his desperation to tell her his story left her confused. Throw it together with his kisses and her mind was in a muddle.
“Well let’s here this tall tale, so I can get to my other duties. I have been away long enough.”
“Can we please start anew?”
“I am confused on what you are asking?”
“Can we both dispense with the innuendos and sarcasm? I wish to speak to you as a gentleman to a lady who I would lay my trust with. It will be hard for me to speak if you continue with this manner.”
Skye laid her palms out to him in a show of peace, not trusting herself to speak. He did that to her, put her on the defense. She would listen to the lies he would concoct. Then she would lead him to believe they were fighting for the same side. She only needed to pacify him until they returned him to his rightful place. After that she held no promises what became of him. It would be out of her hands, therefore out of her control.
“I am not the villain I am portraying myself to be. It is a cover, to trick the wrong people into accepting I am one of them. That I'm after the same goal they are achieving to accomplish.”
“And that would be?”
“To bring treason to British soil. That I am in cahoots with Shears and the men in high positions in the English aristocracy who want to destroy what we hold dear.”
“So how have you been able to accomplish this deceit?”
“I portray to the ton, that I am in a dangerous allegiance that can make their dreams come true. I seduce the ladies into betraying their husbands. Then I befriend these gentlemen and make the connections with Shears. All the while I am gathering intelligence for the Crown.”
“Well I have heard about the seduction.”
“Do not trust everything you hear Skye. There is more than one way to seduce these women besides bedding them.”
She raised her damn eyebrow in disbelief at his statement.
“These ladies only wanted attention they were not receiving from their husbands. A few spins around the ballroom floors, private walks in the gardens, secret meetings in alcoves at parties. While I admit I have tasted many favors from these ladies, not all have been sexual.”
“So why even bother with them?”
“Because these ladies are furious at their husbands; for mistresses, gambling, but most of all for not paying them any attention. This was their way to achieve their revenge. So, they would tell me of private meetings, and of overheard conversations. And in return, I made them feel special; that was all they longed for.”
“Why even seduce them?”
“They gave me the connections with their spouses. They would invite me to dinner parties and balls only meant for people in their private society. It allowed me to discover enough intelligence to bring my mission to an end.”
“Do you have enough information?”
“I did until Shears caught me. Everything went wrong at the Pennington Ball. Our plan was to bring Shears and his connections to the Crown for justice.”
“What happened?”
“Shears kidnapped two ladies and were holding them hostage. He wanted to blow up the ball and everybody in attendance, but we discovered the dynamite on the balcony. We cleared the guests before there were any more deaths caused by Shears. He managed to grab the ladies and hold them captive in the garden.”
“Who were these two ladies?”
“Ivy Thornhill and Raina LeClair.”
Zane watched her reaction at the mention of these two women’s names. Two ladies who should mean nothing to her, yet she appeared hurt when he mentioned Ivy’s name. As if she knew what Ivy meant to him. Which was nonsense, they were nothing but close friends.
“Who were these women to you?”
“They were the women who my two best friends love.”
“And you? Do you love one of these ladies too?”
Zane didn’t answer her. It was a loaded question, he would have a tough time explaining, he decided his silence to be enough of an answer for her. It was a question he himself understood now. Ivy and he were close before Thorn returned. He even believed he could pledge his love and loyalty to her, to stop her from the pain of missing and loving Thorn. But all they ever were, were friends. A friend he grew to love. What level of love he held for her, he never fully explored. There were never any sparks, only friendship. Friendship he destroyed by his secrets. Hopefully one day he could earn back her trust, but for now, he must live with his consequences.
Skye took his silence to mean only one thing. He still loved her. Even though he lost her to one of his friends, the lady still carried a special place in his heart. She wanted to have a man love her the way he held love for Ivy Thornhill even if it was an unrequited love.
“So, what happened?”
“I tried to convince Shears to let the ladies go and I would take their place.”
“Was that how you became his captive?”
Zane laughed, “Not entirely. He wouldn’t let the women go. He wanted Ivy Thornhill for his own pleasures and he wanted to destroy Raina LeClair.”
“Why?”
“Raina thwarted him at all costs. She destroyed countless numbers of Shear’s shipments and hideouts over the last year. He wanted her dead and to make it as painful for her as possible.”
“Would he really cause harm to a lady?”
“Shears would treat a lady who crosses him no different from a gentleman who does the same.”
“What would he do to her?”
“Beat her, let his men rape her, break her mentally to where she begged for her death, and then start all over again. He wouldn't be the one to kill her, he would drive her to the edge of taking her own life.”
Skye’s body shuttered at the thought. She realized she was playing a dangerous game with Shears. After listening to Zane’s story, she understood what the consequences could be when Shears realized she duped him. She would have to make sure her plan was solid when she arrives in Edinburgh, she would bring in reinforcements. It was time to trade in her markers and Logan’s too.
“Were you able to free them?”
“Raina caused a distraction, which led Shears to release Ivy. Soon Mallory and I battled with Shears. When we had him defeated, I convinced Mallory and Thornhill to leave with their ladies. I stabbed Shears and stood back to watch him die. His men outnumbered and captured me as they made their escape. They took me to his ship, chained me and set sail. I must have injured him badly enough because I didn’t see him again until you boarded the ship.”
“Why did he sail to Edinburgh?”
“It was the only location to flee, until he could regroup. Every one of his connections was uncovered and taken into custody in London. In France, men want him who are more dangerous than him, for not paying for weapons they provided for the cause. So, he can’t return there. He hoped to find supporters for his cause in Scotland. He assumed he could find followers who wanted revenge against the English. Also, he was injured and out of supplies, he couldn’t travel far.”
“He will find no supporters here. We don’t take kindly to strangers and many won’t conspire against the Crown. We have lost too much and have little left to lose.”
“But he found a supporter. Did he not?”
“If you are referring to me, he is nothing but a pawn.”
“Skye you cannot align yourself with him.”
“Why not? Don’t sti
ck your nose into something that doesn’t concern you.”
“How does it not concern me? I am your prisoner, only to be returned for weapons, to make me his prisoner again.”
“What was your mission Maxwell? Why are you betraying your country for this man?”
“I have told only one other person, the truth in what I seek. I want to trust you with the same information.”
“Who?”
“Who I told does not pertain to you.” He used her comment back on her to hide his own secrets.
“Was it Ivy Thornhill? Is she the one who keeps the secrets you hold dear?”
How did she guess who he told? Was he that transparent to her? He nodded his head at her. If he was not mistaken, he saw jealousy flash across her eyes. Why was she jealous over Ivy? Unless she denied what she felt for him.
“Out with your secrets Maxwell, you are dragging this story on longer than it needs to be. Get to the point, so we may proceed.”
Maxwell sighed at her impatience but realized she was correct. He was trying to convince her of his innocence. He wanted her trust more than anything else.
“I am searching for the missing heir to the King. He had an illegitimate child a few years ago. The nurse traded the baby, and the jewels meant for the child when the baby grew. The child carries a red ruby marked with the King’s special stamp. The child’s whereabouts came to our attention through our connection with Shears. He holds the answer to the child and the missing red rubies.”
Zane pulled the red ruby from his pocket and held the jewel towards Skye. She grabbed the stone from his hand and held it in her palm. It shone brightly against her pale skin. Her fingers lightly traced the smoothness; turning it over she traced the mark of the Crown. When she looked towards him, she now understood what weighed on his shoulders. The King who wouldn't want war on his lands, would want to know the whereabouts of his sire. Illegitimate or not, he only wanted safety and security for the child. But understanding his struggles, only made her fear for Logan increase. For this was the same stone Logan left with in his search. Logan returned the stone to the Crown and was ordered to find the missing heir. How did Maxwell acquire the jewel? For her to ask him, she would have to offer him her full trust. Something she wasn’t ready for, yet.
“So, you have betrayed all for the King and Crown?”
“That is what my mission is about. It doesn't matter what anybody thinks of me, the only thing that matters is the return of the child to the King.”
“Do you know where the child is?”
“No, but Shears does. He holds the key to this mystery. I finally earned his trust, he was taking me to the child. Then I betrayed him, now he only seeks my death. You can change that for me.”
“How did you betray him?”
“He ordered me to kill Raina LeClair and if I had the chance, Charles Mallory too.”
“But you didn’t.”
“No, we made it appear as if I did. Then he saw for himself at the Pennington Ball they still lived and sought his revenge.”
“How can I change any of this mess for you?”
“We can join forces with a plan to capture Shears and find the missing child.”
“The only way I shall handle Shears will be on my own terms.”
“Why do you want to bring destruction to yourself and your clan?”
“You have no clue on what I plan with those weapons?”
“I know whoever Shears provides arms to, mean to destroy England.”
Skye stayed silent. While she understood his cover for the Crown, it didn’t mean she trusted him with her plans. Plans he was only a means to end with. While she might feel this attraction towards him, she still thought he held something back. There was more to his double agent agenda than what he was telling her. He still held onto his secrets tightly. Therefore, she would hold on to her secrets as well.
He didn’t know what thoughts went through her head. If she insisted on this act of destruction, then he would make sure she didn’t succeed. He knew she was thinking with her heart and not her head. He concluded that her behavior was spurred to actions by the return of her brother. Shears was the key to that. He held people as his weapons to achieve his goals. Zane planned to destroy Shears if it was the last thing he did. He would back off and let her believe he supported her decisions, but he would make sure she was protected.
“It appears we are at an impasse. May I write my letter?”
“You may, if I approve of what you write you may send it. I can have Ewan ride to London tonight.”
Zane bowed to Skye, “Thank you Skye, now may I accompany you on the ride back?”
“Like I would leave my prisoner out alone on unguarded land.” Skye allowed the lie to slip from her mouth and tried to look guilty. A test to see if he would try to make an escape.
Zane heard the slip. He helped her onto her horse and they set back to the stables. As he rode his eyes took in the landscape. He associated the landmarks in his head if he needed to make an escape. He understood there were only a small number of folk on her land. There weren't enough men to guard every direction he could leave by. He hoped he didn’t have to betray her trust and leave on his own. If along the course of the following days, he couldn’t convince her to work together, there would be no other choice.
Chapter Seven
WHEN THEY ARRIVED BACK at the castle, she left him to give instructions to her men. Zane strolled inside to ask Isobel for writing material. He needed to think of how to word his letter. He would have to rely on their special code they contrived when they were young boys at Eton. They were the only ones who could help him with the mess he created. He wanted them to answer the call of brotherhood. Zane hoped that while he betrayed their trust, he didn’t lose the remainder of their friendship.
He sat at the table, pondering the words to write when she came into the room. Her clan surrounded her with questions. She smiled at those in her care and answered their problems with patience. Then she joined Lachlan near the fire to play. She laid on the rug on her belly and propped her hands under her chin. Skye looked young and carefree as she talked animatedly with the young lad. She played with the toy soldiers with undo enthusiasm. He wished she would bestow the love on him she shared with the other souls. Whoa. Where did those thoughts come from? What he felt for her was lust. Plain and simple. There was no chance for love in his lifetime; ever. He looked away from her as he concentrated on the letter he needed to write. A letter he hoped would save his life and hers. Because whether she believed it or not; she was walking into a trap. A trap set up by her own stubborn plans. Well, he would be her savior without her knowledge.
Skye observed him out of the corner of her eye. She sensed his eyes on her. Why was he staring at her and not writing his damn letter? Did he think the letter could save him? For being a spy, he wasn't particularly bright. Did he believe in her to send the letter? Oh, she would make him believe his letter was sent. Instead she would send Ewan to guard the clearing she led Maxwell to believe was unwatched. Then she would destroy the letter at the first chance she got.
She noticed he began to write. He took his time putting his words to paper. Probably writing in a special code only they understood. Well he could write in code all he wanted, for it would never land in their grasp. She was going to throw the letter in the fireplace. Her eyes followed his hand gliding across the paper with each stroke of the quill flourishing. Skye’s thoughts turned to the evening before. How his hand glided over her flesh, stroking her body into flames. She felt her face growing warmer.
“Why are ye turning red Auntie Skye?”
Skye was embarrassed to be caught fantasizing about the enemy while playing alongside her nephew. Her eyes met his, and she saw the smirk of a smile on Maxwell’s face as he caught her gazing at him. He knew her thoughts. He knew what she desired. Maxwell bent his head laughing to himself as he continued his letter. The smug irritating man.
“I must be hot from the fire, love,” Skye answere
d.
“But the fire is out,” Lachlan continued her embarrassment.
Skye stuttered another response out when the infuriating man at the table let out a huge bellow of laughter at her discomfort. After turning even more red, she stood and told Lachlan she needed to meet with Gregor and left the hall.
“She wull not take kindly to ye laughing at her,” Isobel rebuked him.
Zane wiped his eyes from his laughter, “You must admit the lad’s words were priceless.”
“Aye, but she is unused to these emotions ‘n’ doesn’t understand how to handle how ye make her feel. Yer laughter only embarrassed her.”
“I will apologize to her.”
“See that ye do. Now, how is your missive coming along?”
“You mean the letter she will destroy and not send?”
Isobel glanced at him with surprise, then with respect, “So ye know?”
“Yes, I would do the same myself.”
“So, ye are writing two letters then? One for her to destroy, another to make it to yer friends?”
Zane smiled at Isobel, “You will betray her to help me?”
“I will betray her to save her and to bring Logan home. So, hurry and write; she won’t stay gone for long.”
Zane worked on his letters. He wrote the one that would make it to Thorn and Mallory first, so Isobel could take it before Skye returned to the hall. He finished and addressed it to Thornhill, slipping the letter under the table to Isobel as Skye entered the room. She slid across the table from them and looked at the letter he was writing. She watched as he continued to finish his letter. When he completed the missive, he started to slide it into an envelope, when she reached out to read the letter. After her satisfaction with what he wrote, she passed it back for him to write where to send the note. She took the letter and rose from the table, turning to leave. He grasped her wrist and halted her.
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