The Gowrie Conspiracy by Alanna Knight

Author:Alanna Knight [Alanna Knight]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749014421
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2013-05-26T16:00:00+00:00

As she was leaving, Tansy found her way barred by the king and his retinue. On his royal way to the bear-baiting, he was breaking his journey at the queen’s apartments. Not merely to pay her a pleasant afternoon but to discuss the urgent matter of an itemised account for the Masque.

A stickler for facts and figures, for pennies and silver in the royal purse, His Grace preferred to do his own additions and subtractions concerning small items of change, rather than trust such matters to the lofty discretion of the Keeper of the Royal Treasury.

Tansy curtseyed low and received a kingly scowl.

Closeted with his wife, James sniffed and said, ‘Mistress Scott spends a deal of her time with you, Annie. What would she be wanting?’ he demanded and, suspicious of anything concerning Tansy Scott, ‘We doubt if it occurred to ye to seize the opportunity of an accounting for yer Masque’s costumes.’

The queen shook her head. ‘We had other more important matters in hand, sire.’

James gave her a furious look. ‘Naething is of more import than Siller, Annie. Naething.’ And dragging at his beard, ‘We would like her to tak a wee keek at yon gowns our godmother Elizabeth has sent us. That wee present, ye ken of.’

And pausing to shrug irritably, ‘We dinna care to be regarded as a charity by our cousin of England and we would hazard a wee guess they they are gey auld and full o’ moths and lice.’ With a vigorous nod, slobbering a little, he went on eagerly, ‘But her gowns are well-kenned to be thick with precious gems, wi’ pearls and rubies and sichlike. Aye, and worth a wee bit o’siller.’

Anne laughed. ‘Not these, sire. We are sorry to disappoint you but you are mistaken. Your royal godmother holds a tight purse and her charity does not extend to precious gems.’ She gave him a mocking glance. ‘We thought you were aware that Her Majesty of England shares your own interest in the acquisition of wealth.’

James scowled. ‘We dinna get yer drift, Annie. What o’ the jewelled gowns?’

Annie’s glance mocked his anxiety. ‘We observed that all the gems had been carefully – and indeed, some not so carefully – removed before they left your godmother’s royal palace. Most will have to be repaired – ’

‘Worthless, eh?’ James interrupted.

‘Not at all. Some of the materials, the fur trimmings are quite exquisite.’

‘You say so? Then get Mistress Scott straightway on to it then. See what she can save for our royal wardrobe.’

‘We cannot do that, sire. We have given Mistress Scott leave to visit Perth forthwith.’

‘Is that so? Aye, that is – ’ James stopped confused. In the nick of time, cut short his grin, for he had been about to say, ‘good news.’

Was he to be released at last from the sight of the hated Gowrie brat – and by peaceful means? Without scheme or blame, or his hands metaphorically stained with her blood? One less sin for the Almighty to forgive.

Anne watched him narrowly, cat-and-mouse awareness of his reactions to anything concerning Tansy Scott.

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