X Marks the Scot (Bad Boys of the Highlands) by Victoria Roberts

Author:Victoria Roberts
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2013-02-04T11:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

England, Eve of the State Opening of Parliament

As Thomas Percy glanced out at Parliament House, the golden hues of dusk brushed the horizon. Percy sighed and rubbed his brow. He had waited for more than a fortnight for this moment. And now it was finally here. How ironic it was to see such a beautiful sight on the eve of a day that would be filled with tragedy and despair. A new dawn would bring hope, and if luck was on their side, a new reign of prosperity. He would not fail.

He had a perfect view of Parliament House. Hiding in a corner alcove, his bow secured at his side, he would lie in wait until he was able to make his move. He had contemplated every possible consequence of his mission and knew one thing for certain: he would not waver.

Catesby, Fawkes, and that devilish Dunnehl had reviewed the plan so many times that Percy knew it like the back of his hand. He was not exactly thrilled to be working with Dunnehl, but the man paid well and they certainly shared the same cause. If their efforts could not remove King James from the throne and replace him with Lady Arbella Stuart, there was no other option.

The king would die.

Lady Arbella Stuart’s great-great-grandfather had been King Henry VII of England; therefore, she had been the natural candidate for succession to the English crown after her cousin, Queen Elizabeth. But at the last moment, the queen’s secretaries of state had swayed from their rightful path and decided to confer the crown upon James VI of Scotland, whose mother was Mary, Queen of Scots. Lady Arbella had been born in England, whereas King James was born in Scotland. That fact alone should have barred him from succeeding.

Their liege had certainly made a mess of things. They had prayed for governmental change, but one bad decision after another had led to discord and resentment among his vassals. His Majesty had opportunity to change the future, but instead, he had kept Queen Elizabeth’s Privy Councillors in office. Between widespread taxation and the same failed oversight, the country was falling apart. Not to mention the repression of Catholics being the biggest travesty of all. England needed strong supporters to take a stand and regain control. Her survival depended upon it.

A shadowy figure moved against the darkened wall of Parliament House. If Percy had not been glancing at that particular spot at that single moment, he would have missed it. Fawkes slipped in a side door. Damn, the man was good. Percy would give him that.

He closed his eyes, resting his head against the cool stone. On the morrow, there would be no more king and no more Parliament. With the government destroyed, the country would have no choice. England would be forced to start anew. Lady Stuart would be on the throne one way or another.

Percy awoke later with a start, disoriented. He shook his head to clear the cobwebs, and it took him a few moments to gain his bearings.

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