Page 46 of Highland Jewel
“Queen Caroline?” Niall asked, surprised. “You go too far, Sir Rupert. You must think me far more desperatethan I am. I’ll do nothing that will bring harm to the queen of England.”
“This Scottish devotion to that woman,” Burney scoffed. “Fear not, Lieutenant. I am not asking you to harm your precious queen.” He said the word “queen” as if he couldn’t refer to her without making a mockery of it.
“Then what?”
Sir Rupert’s eyes narrowed. “Let me ask this first. Are you so devoted to Caroline that you would follow her, even if she meant to topple the Crown?”
“Of course not.”
Burney leaned toward him. “Good. Then I want you to remind yourself of where your true loyalties lie for the duration of this assignment.”
Niall would also remember that he was doing all of this to free his sister. “What is it you want me to do?”
“You are to reach out to Brougham and accept his offer.”
And serve as a spy and an informer, he thought.
“And what do I say to justify my sudden change of heart?”
Sir Rupert shrugged. “That’s up to you. I’m certain you can be very convincing when you choose to be.”
He’d told Brougham about his engagement. Finding some excuse for changing direction would be a challenge. “And then?”
“He’ll give you the details.”
“You already know what he wants. Tell me whatyouwant.”
Sir Rupert glanced at the door and then laid his hands flat on the table. “Your queen is putting together a delegation to be sent to the Highlands. Brougham is facilitating her wishes.”
“For what purpose?”
“She wants to meet with a rebel leader there. They will arrange the meeting.”
“A rebel leader?” Niall tried unsuccessfully to keep the note of skepticism out of his voice.
“Do not doubt any of what I’m telling you.” Burney motioned to the papers on his desk. “We’ve compiled a great deal of information about the man she wants to meet with and his activities to stir up a rising against the Crown.”
“Who is he?”
“The Highland rabble call him the ‘son of Scotland.’ But it will be up to you to learn his true identity.”
“And is that it? You want to know the man’s name?”
“Of course not,” Burney said coldly. “We want you to kill him.”
Unto His Majesty the King
From the hand of The Right Honorable, The Viscount Sidmouth
Sir,
Please be assured that I am well aware of the outbreaks of violence that are occurring throughout the realm. We are using all available means at our disposal to thwart the growing threat of insurgency in the northern realm. The unruly mob continues to be stirred by radical rhetoric which, sadly, shows no sign of abatement. Sir Rupert Burney is proceeding with our strategy of ferreting out enemies to the Crown and using them to expose violent radicals and others who oppose decency and order. The militias remain on alert, and we are in discussion with the War Secretary, Lord Bathurst, about adding regiments—English, not Scottish—to the contingents in Edinburgh Castle, Fort William, and Fort George.
With regard to the other matter of import, Sir Rupert informs me that the so-called “son of Scotland” has not yet returned to our shores. In the meantime, he has successfully recruited the best possible man to infiltrate the delegation chosen to represent the former Princess of Wales. Our man is a former officer in the Royal 42nd Highland Regiment whose sister was instrumental in the formation, in Edinburgh, of a group of radical reformers hostile to the positions of the government and to your leadership. The woman has been taken into custody to ensure the loyalty of said officer.
As always, I shall keep you informed of further developments.
I remain, Sir,
