"Whenever I can," he admitted. "He is king, however, and that puts me at a distinct disadvantage. Still, I do what I can."
"We can certainly relax our guard now," Edwin said.
Alford clapped his hands and ordered the servants to prepare a feast for their honored guest. Hugh and Edwin hurried upstairs to change their tunics, and Alford waited until they had left the hall before grabbing Gillian.
In a low hiss he whispered, "You listen to me. You will keep silent about the treasure. Do you hear me? You will not tell the king you know where Arianna's box is hidden. I swear I'll kill your uncle and your sister if you defy me on this."
"I understand."
He shoved her away from him. "Go and sit in the corner. Hopefully the king will pay you little attention."
Bridgid followed Gillian and sat next to her. "I've made a mess of things, haven't I?" she whispered.
"No," she answered. "Don't worry. It's going to be over soon."
"Are you afraid?"
"Yes."
The women fell silent when Hugh and Edwin came running back into the hall. Hugh was pulling his tunic down over his stomach as he joined Alford, and Edwin was trying to rub off the stain he'd just noticed on his sleeve.
Servants frantically rushed about preparing the great hall for their noble guest. Additional logs were added to the fire in the hearth, the table was cleared, and after a fine linen cloth was spread upon it, tapered candles in silver holders were placed in the center.
Hugh and Edwin stood with Alford off to the side and discussed the king's reasons for coming to Dunhanshire.
"Perhaps he's heard your soldiers have left their posts at your estate and Baron Morgan's," Edwin speculated.
"They didn't leave their posts," Hugh argued. "They fled in the face of battle, and they should all die for their cowardice."
"The king couldn't have heard that news yet," Alford pointed out.
"If he hasn't heard the news, then why is he here?" Edwin asked.
"I think I know what he wants," Alford said. "There's talk of another journey to France, and he's probably going to press me to go with him."
Bridgid nudged Gillian. "Did you see Alford's reaction when he heard that his soldiers had vanished? I thought the vein in his forehead was going to explode."
"Bridgid, when the king comes inside, don't lie to him. If he asks your name, tell him the truth."
"But then Alford will know I'm not your sister."
"You cannot lie to the king of England."
Bridgid stopped arguing and agreed to do as Gillian asked. "It's bad timing that John decided to visit his friend now. Why do you suppose your king is here?"
"I know why," Gillian answered. "I sent for him."
Chapter Thirty-Eight
The day of reckoning had finally arrived. John, king of the realm, didn't walk into the hall; he strutted. At least twenty soldiers, all in shiny new garb, marched in behind him in pairs, then fanned out, forming a circular cocoon from one side of the entrance to the other. The walls were quickly lined with heavily armed soldiers who had but one intent-to make certain their king remained safe.
Gillian and Bridgid made a formal curtsy to one knee, bowed their heads, and waited for the king to grant them permission to stand.
Bridgid peeked. Curious to get a good look at the man she had been taught was the devil incarnate, she was a little surprised he didn't have horns growing out of his head. John was quite ordinary looking, actually, with dark, wavy hair in need of a trim and a thick, wiry, brown beard speckled with gray. His size was ordinary too, and she guessed that the top of his head wouldn't even reach the shoulders of Ramsey or Brodick or Iain.
The three barons genuflected to their king, and after John had granted them permission to rise, Alford crooned, "What a wonderful surprise, my lord."
"Yes, indeed," John replied. "What mischief have you gotten yourself into now, Alford," he drawled, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"No mischief," Alford assured him. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company, my lord?"
"I haven't come to see you," John said, impatient as he turned his back on Alford and strode purposefully across the hall.
Gillian and Bridgid were suddenly staring at a pair of shiny boots.
"Stand," John commanded.
The ladies did as he ordered. Bridgid looked the king right in his eyes, but then she noticed that Gillian's head was bowed and so she hastened to imitate her.
"Which one of you fair ladies is Gillian?"
"I am Lady Gillian, my lord," she answered.
Alford came running. "May I ask, my lord. What business do you have with my ward?"
"Your ward, Alford? Did I give her to you then?"
Gillian slowly raised her gaze, and the king was so startled by the intensity of her green eyes and her exquisite features he drew a sharp breath. He spoke his thought aloud. "She is magnificent. Why hasn't she been brought to my court?"
"I didn't think you would want the daughter of a murderer in your court," Alford said. "As you know, I firmly believe that Gillian's father was involved in the plot to kill Arianna and steal the treasure, and I felt that you would have been constantly reminded of the tragedy every time you saw Gillian. That is why I didn't bring her to court, my lord. I didn't think you should have to bear such pain."
John's eyes narrowed. "Yes, of course. You have been a very thoughtful friend, Alford."
The baron inclined his head and then remarked, "Gillian has been living in the north of England with her Uncle Morgan… Baron Chapman. And she has only just returned to Dunhanshire. I'll send her upstairs so you won't have to look upon her any longer."
"You'll do no such thing. Go and sit with Hugh and Edwin while I have a word in private with these two ladies."
Alford didn't dare argue. He gave Gillian a threatening glance before hurrying to join his friends. Too agitated to sit, he stood with Hugh and Edwin and strained to overhear the king's conversation.
John ignored the barons as he once again addressed Gillian. "Where is it?" he demanded urgently, and before she could respond, he asked, "Do you have Arianna's treasure with you?"
"No, my lord, but I think I know where it's hidden."
"You think?" he repeated in a near shout. "You aren't certain? If I have made this journey on a whim, I assure you I will be displeased."
His face was turning red, and she hurried to explain before he completely lost his temper and went into one of his famous rages.
"I didn't have time to look for myself, but I'm certain it's here… at Dunhanshire. Just a short walk away," she assured him.
Her explanation calmed him. "If the treasure is recovered, you do realize that it will prove without a doubt that your father was involved in the murder of Arianna?"
She knew she shouldn't argue with the king, but she couldn't stop herself from defending her father. "I was told… and I believe… that my father was an honorable man, and honorable men do not kill innocent women."
"I, too, believed your father was a loyal subject and a good man," John said, "…until he betrayed me."
"I cannot believe that he did betray you," she whispered. "My mother had only just passed away, and my father was mourning her at home… here, my lord, at Dunhanshire."
"I know he wasn't in court when Arianna died, but Alford is convinced that he was in league with another. Aye, the man who killed Arianna passed the treasure to your father. If the treasure is here, it proves Alford's theory is correct."
"I don't know what to say to convince you that my father was innocent," she said.
"Soon we may have proof that he was a blackheart. If you had kept silent about the treasure's whereabouts, I never would have known for certain that your father betrayed me. Why, then, did you send for me?"