Page 73 of The Knight’s Reward

Last eve, Reid had spoken to the owner of another inn who’d claimed to know a man who’d seen Richard Wyld’s body carried from the Firth of Forth. Neill had found the man and questioned him.

“It was as you said.” Neill paced the room, waiting for the others to join them. “He was reluctant to speak, but aye, the body was definitely that of Richard Wyld. Which means only that Kathryn’s father is, indeed, dead. It does not explain who killed him. He said nothing of seeing Bothwell or any of the king’s men.”

A knock at the door quieted both men. Reid opened it, revealing the remainder of their party.

“Brother.” Reid opened the door wider to let them in. “Emma, Garrick.”

She rushed to him, and Neill engulfed his twin in a hug. Somehow, she managed to grow even lovelier since he’d been away.

“You are a man,” she said, shoving him back. “I don’t remember you being so thick around the shoulders.”

He smiled. “I do remember you being so quick with your opinion though.”

“’Tis good to see you, brother.”

“And you. Though I wish you’d not have come here.”

But he knew his sister well, the most stubborn of all the Waryns. He looked at Clave as if in sympathy. He’d not met his sister’s husband yet. Their wedding had been arranged rather quickly, and Neill had been in France at the time, participating in a tournament.

“Well met,” Clave said, stepping forward and shaking his hand. “I was sorry to have missed you at the council.”

The stranger had a firm grip and a warm smile. He felt as if he already knew the man, for Emma had told him quite a bit about her husband, including details of their unconventional courtship.

He was about to say as much when Alex cleared his throat. “Shall we get started?” he asked, his voice low but firm.

“Richard Wyld is indeed dead,” Neill began. “I spoke to a witness who saw his body being removed from the river.”

“Aye, and it was Bothwell who killed him.”

They all looked at Clave, who’d spoken the words so softly it took Neill a moment to realize what he’d said.

“My other title, Linkirk, holds more importance here than Clave, and with it, I gained access to the inner sanctum.”

“The inner sanctum?” Neill asked.

“The inner sanctum is another name for the king’s small circle of advisors, which counts Bothwell as one of its members,” Clave explained. “Bothwell is sly, of that there is no doubt. But I asked some pointed questions and learned the king had indeed received a message from Edward prior to Bothwell’s arrival.”

“The contents of the message?” Reid asked.

“Unknown.”

They exchanged a look. If the fact that Edward had requested a renewal of Alexander’s oath of fealty had not yet been shared with the masses, it meant the king was still considering the request.

“Do you believe Bothwell is attempting to influence him again?” Alex asked Clave.

“Aye, and I believe the delay can be laid at Bothwell’s door. I spoke to some who believe Bothwell aligns with those calling for a Scotland independent of Edward. It cannot be proven, but I am convinced it’s so. And I strongly suspect he had Kathryn’s father killed to prevent the renewed allegiance.”

The men were silent.

“We have no proof,” Reid said. “Nothing but supposition.”

“Wyld’s dead body counts for nothing?” Neill was furious on Kathryn’s behalf. He was as convinced as Garrick that Bothwell had done the deed, and he aimed to prove it.

“We would agree with you,” Emma said, “and yet it proves nothing.”

“I need an audience with the king.”

Everyone in the room protested at once, but Neill would not be swayed. Bothwell would never admit to his misdeed, and only the king knew if his chancellor was attempting to dissuade him from repledging Scotland’s allegiance to the English king. If he was, the information about Kathryn’s father was vital. And he trusted none to convey it to him.