The Daring Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) Read Free Page A

treacherous English rats will undoubtedly try to hide from me!” Albany continued, clearing his throat. “I’ll expect ye to journey with me the whole way to Fotheringhay, where ‘tas been arranged I should be a fortnight hence.”
    Sweet Mary! Julian’s gray eyes widened. Fotheringhay? England? If Albany were to gain the support of Edward, King of England, then Scotland was in serious danger.
    “I will send a man of mine to accompany you—” Orazio’s unmistakable tones began.
    “Nay, not so!” Albany interrupted angrily. “’Twas ye I was told to hire, not another!”
    “My man will suffice! As I have said, my lord, you will be pleased with my services—services, may I remind you, that you’ve yet to pay for.” Orazio’s voice hardened.
    Julian frowned. Orazio was not a gatherer of information; the man was an assassin. There could only be one reason for the deception. His true target must be a man of Albany’s acquaintance.
    “Aye, aye,” Albany mumbled. There was the sound of a wooden chair scraping against a stone floor, and then the prince’s voice floated through the window from different angles as he began to pace. “Then, I’ve nae choice but to trust ye. Ach, ‘tis a princely sum that ye’ve asked of me! I dinna have such a sum of gold at hand! I can only pay ye half now.”
    At that, Julian raised a brow in admiration. Aye, Orazio was a wily one to collect the prince’s gold while at the same time using him as a tool to gain access to his true target! ‘Twas no wonder the man was infamous. Such deviousness could only be admired.
    “I see,” Orazio replied. His tone was cool. “Then perhaps our services are not really what you need.”
    “Nay!” Albany quickly inserted. “I’ll see ye paid the rest soon, I swear it! But give me time!”
    “No, my lord,” came Orazio’s reply. “I require the entire sum first, as I have said. When you have it, send word and—“
    “God’s Wounds!” Albany swore loudly and there was a crash, as if he’d kicked over a chair. “Surely, the word of the future King of Scotland means something to ye?”
    There was a long pause.
    And then Orazio’s deep voice dropped. “Mayhap … mayhap there is a way, my lord.”
    “A way?” Albany seized the words eagerly.
    “Mayhap…” Orazio murmured. There was a drumming sound, as if he were drumming his fingers thoughtfully upon a table. “On this one occasion, my lord, I could wait on the full payment in return for a favor.”
    Albany’s voice turned suspicious at once. “A favor? What favor is this?”
    “A simple request. ‘Tis my sister, the Lady Nicoletta. I must see her returned to the Scottish court to the care of Princess Anabella, and I cannot accompany her myself,” the man answered calmly.
    Julian raised a brow, wondering what kind of threat Orazio might pose to the Scottish court if he were using his relationship to Nicoletta as part of his scheme. It was something that he should delve into, and forthwith.
    “Nicoletta?” Albany cleared his throat and paused a moment. “Is the lass a spy as well?”
    Orazio laughed, and Julian found himself laughing silently along with him.
    The concept was ludicrous. Nicoletta was anything but a spy. She was a mere lady-in-waiting. Aye, every time he’d ever been in her presence, she’d spoken only of court etiquette, and specifically his own great lack in observing it. Rumors and intrigue didn’t appear to interest her in the slightest.
    “My sister Nicoletta is naught but a trusted companion to the princess, my lord,” Orazio replied in a derisive tone. “And you would do well to remember that our mother is the Lady Catelin le Brun, a long-time favorite in the French court and a personal friend to Princess Anabella of Scotland. My sister knows nothing of my more adventurous activities.”
    Albany cleared his throat. “Aye, now, I meant nothing by it. Indeed ‘tis a fair barter. I’ll see to her safe passage for ye,” he said, sounding