Page 77 of Highland Sword
AIDAN
Brandenburgh House
Hammersmith, England
The drawing room of the queen’s residence on the outskirts of London was decorated appropriately with gold brocade curtains, Persian carpets, and Sheraton furniture of an earlier generation. Her defiant nature, however, was evident in a trio of Scottish Robert Adam chairs by the fireplace and the conspicuous display of Italian landscape paintings on the walls. In the eyes of the nation, she’d been absolved of her alleged love affair with Count Bergami, but she was not about to hide behind any pretense for her visitors. Aidan heard there was even a rumor circulating that she might publish a memoir.
Queen Caroline’s trial in the House of Lords was behind her, but it was clear to Aidan that she knew her battles were not. As she stood by the window, she pointed out five places on the street beyond the wrought-iron fence.
“For a week, the good tradesmen of this village built celebratory bonfires out there, Mr. Grant.” The queen turned her dark eyes in his direction and gestured to Henry Brougham, who stood by the fireplace. “My good friendhere tells me the king was furious about the people’s happiness over my vindication.”
“It was very gratifying, Your Majesty, to see the country rejoice at your triumph,” Brougham responded.
The queen waved him off. “Though it would have been even more gratifying to see Lord Liverpool’s government fall and throw all of those scoundrels out, starting with that weasel, Lord Sidmouth.”
“Indeed, ma’am. The Director of the Home Office has been entirely too independent, I’d say.”
She turned to Aidan. “But I’m told Sidmouth and his pack of backbiting curs have been subject to your lash in Inverness, Mr. Grant. You outsmarted Sir Rupert Burney. Well done.”
Aidan bowed slightly. “Thank you, Your Majesty. But it was a minor skirmish.”
“Don’t understate your victory. And don’t underestimate the lengths they’ll go to repay you for their humiliation.” She looked at her lawyer. “We know that our enemies here will not rest until they’ve roasted us on bonfires of their own. Isn’t that true, Mr. Brougham?”
“Quite true, ma’am.”
The queen was a petite and energetic woman, and Aidan felt the same magnetic quality about her that one felt in the presence of Cinaed, her son. They both had a charisma that kept a person’s attention on them. He couldn’t help but think that Queen Caroline was a force that the king clearly felt he could not compete with. Rightfully so.
“Prinny’s efforts to cast me off, however, have also brought out some unexpected friends.” She gestured to the gilded, upholstered chairs by the fireplace, and the three of them sat. “That is the reason I asked Brougham to bring you to London. I’ve learned that even my own household cannot be trusted with secrets.”
“I’m at your service, ma’am,” Aidan told her.
“Thank you, Mr. Grant. And I know you can be trusted. I have a task of the greatest importance I’d like you to undertake.” She drummed her fingers on the arm of the chair for a moment. “The king’s younger brother William paid me a visit during the trial. Under cover of darkness, of course. Still, having the Duke of Clarence here in my drawing room was a kindness I’ll not forget.”
Her eyes wandered momentarily to the brightly colored painting of an Italian villa in summer. The scene was remarkable in itself, but even more so contrasted with the grey London winter outside the windows of Brandenburgh House. A reminder of sunnier days, Aidan thought.
“He and his wife, Adelaide, were the only ones in the family who sent condolences to me in Italy upon the passing of my daughter Charlotte.”
Perhaps not altogether sunnier days. As Aidan considered her words, it occurred to him that in communicating with her, the Duke of Clarence was showing evidence of character that his older brothers lacked. The king had spent a life of dissipation and the Duke of York, the heir-apparent, was by all accounts eating and drinking himself into an early grave as well.
She was silent for a moment, but she rallied immediately. “William knows about my son Cinaed.”
After her clandestine trip to the Highlands, rumors began to circulate widely, so knowledge of her connection with the son of Scotland was hardly surprising. Aidan sensed that the whole nation knew of it.
“Clarence was very interested to learn more about him—specifically, what his intentions are regarding the future of the Highlands.”
Of course, he would be interested, Aidan thought. TheDuke of Clarence was a Hanover and third in line for the Crown. The son of Scotland was a threat to them all.
“I answered none of his questions. But when I asked if he would consider meeting with Cinaed, he was extremely eager.”
Aidan couldn’t help but glance at Brougham. The importance of such an event was not lost on him.
“Many believe that Clarence will be king. It’s unlikely that either of his brothers will be producing legitimate offspring. The king will not, I promise you, unless he murders me. Which is quite possible, of course.” She held Aidan’s gaze. She was in deadly earnest. “But the point is that the duke knows it is in his and the Crown’s interest to forge better connections with the north. He told me, confidentially, that he felt the government has failed miserably in its responsibilities toward Scotland.”
The queen stood and the men did, as well.
“Clarence has agreed to meet with Cinaed. You, Mr. Grant, must make it happen.”
CHAPTER26
