king and demand blood so passionately.”
Ronchford’s eyelids fluttered once more. Keir crossed his arms over his chest.
“He was at the table the night I won Helena’s dowry. He left once Edmund ran out of coin.” Keir turned his attention to his king. “I stayed.”
“That is correct. Edmund was my friend and fellow English peer. I will not stand idle while his murderer goes unpunished!”
“We do not as yet know who that is.”
“My king…we have the order and the piece of kilt!”
James stood. “Yet we do not have the witness. Believe me, this matter shall be investigated. We shall begin a search for my queen’s maid at dawn.”
“She’s another Scot.”
James was not amused. “Enough, Ronchford! Being a Scot does not mean McQuade is guilty of murder.”
“His father tried to murder you and he has the most to gain.”
Keir flinched. It was the truth. “I didna kill that weasel. He was kin by my marriage.”
Ronchford snarled. “So much your kin that you did not allow him to be present on the morning after your nuptials to inspect the wedding sheet? Oh yes, Lord Hurst. Everyone at court knows that.”
“Is that true, McQuade?”
The king’s voice had dropped in to a deadly tone. Keir stared him straight in the eye.
“Aye. I didna want him anywhere near his sister, seeing as how he seemed to enjoy hitting her.” He turned to look at Ronchford. “Everyone at court saw proof of that on her face. But the man never appeared at my door, nor did he send any of his men to see the wedding sheet. I’ll be happy to have it displayed.”
“Of course you would. Consummation of your wedding only furthers your case to claim the Kenton earldom for your sons.”
“I’m nae ambitious enough to gain what I want through murder.”
Ronchford laughed. “You are a Scot. Raiding is in your blood. I am not the only one that can see the blood on your hands.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” James Stuart sat back in his throne.
Ronchford spread his hands out. “I am not the only English nobleman who is now fearing for his own life.”
The king snorted. “Ye’re nae quivering in yer lace stockings, Ronchford, so dinnae try to tell me that ye are. Ye’re mad as hell that ye didna wed that lass, which gives ye as much reason to be viewed suspiciously as McQuade. And how many times must I remind the lot of ye English-born nobles that I am Scots?”
“Majesty…”
The king held up his hand. “I am nae making light of the matter. A peer has been murdered in my own palace. It will not go unpunished. But I shall not watch the blame be laid too easily on any man. There will be careful study of the facts, not what rumors try to form into truth.”
The king stared at Keir. Keir returned it without flinching. His monarch shifted his attention to Ronchford and the man did not hold up as well. He sniffed and shook his head.
“This is preposterous. Edmund was my friend.”
“Then you should be relieved to know that I intend to make sure his death is investigated.”
Ronchford fell silent, his body becoming still. His face lost some of its color and the room became a compressed space full of tension. The guards looked at both men, uncertainty in their eyes. The king held his emotions behind a mask that spoke of too many similar times in his past.
“Convey both of these men to the Tower.”
“But sire!” The king flicked his fingers toward the blustering man, and Ronchford found himself hauled away by the royal guard. They dragged him from the room even as he shouted at the king to hear him out. His boots skidded on the stone floor.
Four guards surrounded Keir but they merely held their place while he waited for Ronchford’s yells to fade down the hallway.
The king stared at Keir. “I’ve no choice, McQuade. Ye must be placed in the Tower if I am to maintain peace between English and Scots in this court.”
“Aye. I see the way of it.”
The king’s expression lightened. A ghost of respect lit his eyes. Keir ground his teeth together to keep his temper in check. The idea of being confined sent his entire body into revolt. He wanted to fight, not to stand there agreeing that it was for the best. But the king was nae in the mood to be challenged.
“May I have a few moments with me bride?”
James nodded. “Aye.” He pointed at his captain of the