long moment. He lifted one thick finger. “Peers are meant to serve their king. I can think of several posts in Scotland that need an ambassador.”
“That is—”
“Is what, sir?” James Stuart gripped the arms of his chair but remained sitting while Edmund sputtered. “It is the will of yer king.”
“McQuade is nothing! My sister is pure nobility.”
“Ye’re the one who bartered her like a common whore,” Keir snarled through his teeth.
“You broke into my home. I don’t have to discuss anything with a thief.”
“But you do have to serve yer king.”
Edmund sniffed, disdain clear on his face. He shot a look full of seething hatred toward Keir.
The king raised his hand and pointed at Edmund.
“Ye’ll be my man on McQuade land, since the last laird was run through by my guards. Laird McQuade will give you accommodations and you shall remain there until I summon ye and yer sister back to court. My own royal guard shall escort ye north.”
Keir sent his fist into his opposite hand. The loud popping sound bounced off the walls of the receiving chamber. Edmund paled, fear showing on his face.
“Unless the man were to marry,” James continued, his voice as smooth as honey. “New couples need their privacy.”
“But he is…common!”
“Common? He is a laird, which is a title as old as yer own, Knyvett.” James Stuart rose. “The man came to court to kneel before his king while ye are here to further yer own schemes. I’ve had enough of this. Open the doors!”
Royal servants obeyed, pulling the doors wide to allow them to be viewed by everyone in the great hall. A hush instantly fell over the courtiers as they lowered their heads. Keir’s men stood right outside the door and took instant advantage of the chance to join their laird.
The king turned to face him and extended his hand. “I will hear yer vow of loyalty, McQuade. ’Tis clear to me that ye’re a man who will tell me the truth even when I don’t want to hear it.”
Keir knelt, every one of his men following. His heart was suddenly beating faster. He was almost grateful to Edmund for giving him the chance to prove himself to the king. But that wouldn’t keep him from giving the boy the beating he had coming once they reached McQuade land.
“My word, my strength, and my blood forever!”
He took the king’s hand and kissed it in a tradition that went back farther than the Roman Empire.
“Ye will rise and be acknowledged as Baron Hurst. I confer yer father’s third wife’s title onto ye. Yer sister Bronwyn doesna need it since her husband has his own title.”
“Sire…” Enraged, Edmund protested.
“Yer father petitioned me for it several times. Rise, Baron Hurst, Laird McQuade.”
Keir pushed to his feet, certain that his father was screaming in hell. The man had gone to great lengths to get what his third wife held in her name alone. He’d tried to soil his own daughter’s name just to keep the land and title that he’d never known was willed to her female offspring, and not her husband. Applause filled the great hall while Edmund stifled his objections.
Keir stared back at the man, the open door providing the perfect opportunity to press him.
“When is my wedding?”
Edmund pressed his lips into a tight line but the silence in the hall rippled with whispers. He ground his teeth, his lips turning white all the while the whispers grew in volume.
“Tomorrow.”
Chapter Six
Edmund slammed into the town house again. Helena simply shook her head. If her brother ever appeared happy, she was afraid she might faint dead away at his polished boot tips.
“You think yourself so cleaver.”
“What vexes you now, brother?” Helena refused to shirk in the face of his temper. Edmund could simply deal with the fact that she was restricted to the town home instead of the attic.
“You and your dim little view of the world. Unable to grasp the fact that I was doing you a favor by trying to disgrace that McKorey witch.” Edmund surprised her by looking down the hallway. She was used to him bellowing for wine the moment he arrived. Instead he shut the door.
“Well, you will be the one to suffer. Unless I help you. I shouldn’t.”
Dread crept down her neck. Edmund was sober, making his words harder to ignore.
“The king has decreed that I am not a fit guardian for you anymore.”
“Am I going home?” It would be too good a turn of fate, but she couldn’t help