Page 97 of Highland Sword
“Sir Rupert Burney, you’re charged with conspiracy to commit an act of violence against the person of a member of the royal family.”
“Of all the… this is absurd,” he sputtered. “Where did you get such a notion? I serve the royal family, and there is no member of—”
“Tonight, we arrested twelve individuals, hired by you, who were arming themselves for the purpose of breaking into a dinner at the home of Captain Kenedy three days hence. Their instructions from you were to murder His Grace, the Duke of Clarence and—”
“It’s a lie.” Burney jumped to his feet.
“We have confessions already from the men we took tonight.”
Sir Rupert turned to the Lord Mayor. “These imbeciles work for you. If you don’t take this in hand immediately, the Home Office will respond. This will not end well for you, that I swear.”
Morrigan was impressed with how unperturbed the Lord Mayor appeared. He looked apologetically at his host before addressing Sir Rupert.
“I suggest that you go with these men so that any misunderstanding can be handled without any disturbance to our host or the ladies.”
Burney swung around and pointed at Colonel Wade, who was already on his feet. “Do something. You represent the Crown.”
“Such a charge is quite serious, Constable.” The colonel crossed the room and took the paper from his hand. He read through the charges. “What you are saying is that Sir Rupert has committed acts of treason?”
“Aye, sir. You might call it that. And there’s more to it.”
Everyone waited while Colonel Wade thought for a moment before handing the warrant back. He gestured to the deputies.
“Arrest him.”
CHAPTER35
MORRIGAN
Entrapping Burney in a net of his own devising seemed too easy to Morrigan, and once they took him away, her worry only intensified. He was a cunning enemy, and his tentacles were far reaching. She wondered how many people he had still at his beck and call, agents like Baker. How many would follow their master’s instructions, even though he was behind bars?
Sir Rupert’s venomous gaze was directed toward only one person as he was being taken out of Searc’s dining room earlier tonight. Aidan. He knew he’d been beaten at his own game, and he knew who was responsible for it.
Noises drifted into their bedchamber from the main road running from the quays through the Maggot. Voices of drunken sailors, the bark of a dog, the rattle and rumble of carts passing over the cobblestones. Morrigan had already heard stories from Sebastian about past attempts on Aidan’s life. Having another foe as vicious as this one kept her awake and listening.
This was going to be her life. Tonight, tomorrow, for as long as they both lived. And as worrisome as the dangerswere, she was proud of him for what he did, for the warrior that he was.
With a sigh, Morrigan nestled into her husband’s arms and pressed her face against his naked chest. She loved him. She loved him. She could shout the words a hundred times and more, and it would still not be enough. She’d never known such happiness. Having Aidan trick her and convince her that it was time to cast aside her fears and marry him was stunning. And to love her, and make love to her, and teach her the thrill and beauty of their bodies as they joined was yet another miracle. Morrigan felt that for the first time she was whole, complete, healed.
And yet, she still feared. She feared losing him. She couldn’t ignore that.
“You’re digging your toes into my leg,” he growled.
“My knees are bent. My toes are nowhere near your leg.”
Morrigan drew back to look into his face, but he wouldn’t let her get too far away. She could tell he was smiling.
“I was going to say the ruckus in your head is louder than what’s going on in the street below this window, but that didn’t seem very romantic. So I decided to complain about your toes.”
Strange as his sense of humor could be at times, she loved the way he could put a smile on her face, regardless of the situation.
“I was thinking about Burney getting out of the jail and coming after you.”
“He’ll never get out.”
“Sir Rupert has money and influence. When his trial happens, he could get a good lawyer.”
“He’ll never get out.”
