“Oh, Roddy!” she said softly, “What would I do without you? You make me whole and your potions help me think. Without them, the world is a mad jumble that moves too fast and makes it so I cannot think at all.”
“I know, love. And I have your medicine right here. Open up, my little bird. Papa has brought you something delightful this time.”
* * *
A dark shadow withdrew from shrubbery around the clearing, and made its way up a path toward the ruins of Mabway Castle, taking care not to alert the lovers to his presence. When the time came, this would work to his advantage. Meanwhile, he had to appease the men. Their supplies were running low, and there was a limit to how much they could pilfer without alerting the locals to their presence.
It was too bad that the Duke of Gwyndonmere was a good and reasonable landlord. Almost a pity to dislodge him, really. But sometimes you had to throw out some good along with the rubbish. The system of Kings, Dukes, and all the rest was simply no good at all.
He wasn’t sure he agreed with those who wanted to do away with the machines. He rather liked being able to get a full set of clothing without spending a year’s wages or attaching himself to some house. But he did understand how weavers and spinners saw their livelihood threatened.
Well, there would be those who wouldn’t care to have the great houses brought down because it would mean their livelihood brought down. But, like bringing down a man who actually understood that fealty was a two-way transaction, it was a necessary evil. They could take up inn keeping or some other such occupation and use the skills they had learned.
He checked the apothecary room where three men were carefully creating the preparations they would need. Pity that “Roddy” was such a feeble reed to lean on. But they would not have known about this place if he had not discovered the amorous idiot at play while he was in London.
Too bad that he had come to the notice of the local watch who had shared his description with neighboring watch captains. His English was not good enough to hold up to close scrutiny, to the annoying little man, with his ambitions and his proclivities were essential to the plan. It was just to be hoped that they could pull it off before he and his “duchess” were exposed.
* * *
Back in the clearing, the lovers lay entwined. Margery lay with her head on his shoulder. “Will we really have the castle, Roddy? I wouldn’t mind not having it, so very much. Sometimes I wish you were just an apothecary apprentice again. I’m so sorry that bringing me my medicine got you in trouble.”
“In trouble is something of an understatement for getting turned off without a recommendation,” he replied. “It was fortunate that you were able to persuade the Duke to take me on. And that my days on the acting circuit allowed me to quickly assume the role.”
“I heard the story about the scullery maid. Did you really make her think that hounds were chasing her?”
“I did. I never thought I would be grateful for that time I spent as a ventriloquist. But it certainly stood me in good stead. I’ve used it before, but never to such excellent effect. Unfortunately, she has seen my face. She is a loose end I must clear up soon.”
“Will it be difficult?”
“I’m afraid so. Not all of those Sisters began their lives as nuns. It takes a very tough woman to be Catholic in Scotland these days. Not all are as forgiving and accepting as your Duke.”
“My duke. You are my Duke, and never should you forget it. Jonathan is just a stuffy, old-fashioned country squire who somehow got puffed up into being a Duke. Do you know he goes about in country man’s boots and canvas trousers a good part of each day?”
“I would imagine that canvas trousers are less likely to gather horsehair while he is training his prize stock.”
“And what kind of Duke does that? He has no idea how he should act.”
Her lover kissed her then. “And how should he act, my pet?”
“Oh, I don’t know. More grand, more sure of himself. If you met him on the street in Edinburgh, you would take him for a merchant. He won’t even let you barber his hair so he looks like the other nobles.”
The man laughed. “That might be a good thing since I have long since mastered ladies’ hair dressing, but barbering is one of my lesser skills.”
“Oh, very well. I shan’t nag him about it then.”
“We need to get you back to the castle before you are missed.”
“Must I go back? It is so pleasant here.”
“You must. It will grow cold here when night falls. Nor would you like it when it rains. I promise, when the sun goes down, it is much more pleasant inside the castle.”
“That moldy old pile of stone. Our house in London is much nicer, but Jonathan won’t take us there this year.”
“Well-a-day, we shall just have to make this time work for us and not despair over what is not happening right now. Soon, you will be able to attend all the balls, parties, and crushes your heart desires.”
“Oh, that will be so wonderful. Do you promise?”
“I absolutely promise.”
