even more to think they shared the same blood. Her throat felt as if there was a noose around it, tightening every day. But she refused to do what was necessary to be free. The only thing she had was her honor. It was the sole item she counted as her possession alone. Even her body would one day be bartered and used at the whim of Edmund. She could not betray the only kind person she had met. But she wasn’t sure how to keep her brother from hurting Raelin in spite of her refusals to assist him.
Being born female was a curse.
“A pleasure doing business with you, my lord.”
Keir folded his arms across his chest. The fop in front of him scooted back a step, his eyes watching the way Keir’s biceps bulged.
“I’ll be leaving you to your accommodations then.”
The man fled in a swish of his overpuffed pants. Keir snarled softly.
“Och now, that’s sure to get us tossed out in the gutter.” Farrell McQuade clicked his tongue along with the reprimand.
“After that amount of gold he just stole from me for this wretched place?”
“It’s a step up from the gutter.”
“For a child’s legs, maybe.” Keir looked around the tiny town home. It was ancient. The wood around the doorframes was splintering because it was so dry. Considering the rain pouring down off the edge of the roof, that was an amazing thing. “Personally, I was hoping for a wee bit bigger step. Tell the men I’ll keep looking for something more hospitable.” His retainers wouldn’t complain, but they had the right. The dozen McQuade clansmen who followed him would be crammed into three rooms and that was only because he planned to share the upper room with Farrell and his captain. But no laird went anywhere without retainers. It was foolish to travel alone, a death wish. The road had plenty of danger for the unprepared man.
“Why doesn’t Jamie move the English court to Edinburgh?”
Keir shook his head at Farrell. “He’d no wear that crown long if he tried that one.”
England’s noblemen were powerful and a king that was not in sight could very easily be undermined, which left Scotland’s nobles paying inflated prices for lodging in London. Most noble families maintained residences near the palace. The McQuades had one in Edinburgh for the times they were summoned to court. But now that James was king of both countries, the Edinburgh house stood empty while Keir was putting out coin for a hovel in London. The house pickings were slim, with ambassadors flooding into the city with the news of Elizabeth Tudor’s death making its way across Europe.
“Let’s hope Jamie doesna keep us waiting too long.” Farrell tried to sound hopeful but Keir shot him a glance. The burly McQuade retainer shrugged.
“Och well, it was a thought.”
“Aye. I suppose we’d best get our doublets out. It looks like we’re to court, you and I.”
Keir’s voice lacked enthusiasm but not determination. Better to begin; that way they’d finish their business all the sooner. He did not have much to unpack, as he’d not even bothered with a trunk. He would not know what to do with one. His best doublet was a sturdy wool one. He was a Scottish laird and did not have any plans to join the flock of young men wearing lace and silk. He’d wear his kilt proudly. After all, that was the reason he was here. To restore honor to that kilt. Let the court stare at him and know that he was different. He was Scots and here to do his duty.
He was not going home until he’d accomplished it.
“I’ve never seen such women in me life.” Farrell frowned at the court. Keir elbowed him and shot him a reprimanding look.
“Stop scowling at them, Farrell. We’ve nae the best reputation.”
“Good. Maybe that will keep these females from flirting with us.”
Farrell shuddered. Keir fought his own battle to hide his surprise, or horror, as it were. Never in his life had he ever thought that he’d find boys more pleasing to his eye than women. But the ladies of the court looked so far removed from anything he’d ever seen, he couldn’t help but look at the men for a bit of relief.
The women’s dresses plunged down in the front with naught but scraps of fabric holding their titties in. The points of the stomachers extended a full forearm’s length below their waists. The dresses came out at the hips, straight out for