A Noble Deception (The Douglas Clan) Read Online Free Page A

ninth Earl of Douglas—seeks support in his opposition against King James, since he doesna seem to be getting any help from John of Islay.” Lord Albermarle clarified gently. “Islay, that is the chief of Clan Donald, is the last pillar of the triad alliance wi’ William Douglas, murdered by Fiery Face himself, and the Earl of Crawford—Alexander Lindsay—dead these two years past.”
    “Aye, I ken all that,” Lachlan ’s cheeks reddened.
    “Dinna take offense, lad,” Lord Erroll put in. “Ye havena had the benefit of court and noble society since ye’ve been in my employ . We dinna hold that against ye; ‘tis only a bit of fun.”
    “I took no offense, my Lord,” Lachlan assured. It was truth—he was not offended. He was embarrassed . His lack of political understanding was a product of his landless title, and it humiliated him at times.
    Shooting a knowing look at Lord Albermarle, Lord Erroll said, “Perhaps this journey comes at a fortuitous time.” When Lachlan raised his brows questioningly, the earl answered, “Aye, lad, I ken the reason for the summons. Lord Albermarle has told me, for I insisted on knowing why my best knight were being taken from my service. ‘Tis worth yer while to go, I promise ye. Ye’ll take a man of yer choosing wi’ ye, of course.”
    Lachlan knew immediately who he wished to take. “If yer certain, my Lord, then I’d request Sir Alexander MacByrne.”
    Lord Erroll groaned. “Of course he’d have to ask for my second best knight. Alright, so be it. I’ll send word to MacByrne that he is to pack his belongings.”
    “And ye canna give me even the smallest hint why I’m being summoned?”
    “Of course I could,” Lord Albermarle answered, “but I willna. Ye’ll ken the reason soon enough. F or now, see to yer affairs; we leave at first light.”
    “Yer Lordship,” Lachlan acknowledged, bowing to Lord Albermarle. Then doing the same to Lord Erroll he repeated, “Yer Lordship.”
    He exited the chamber, and the guard outside closed the door behind him . The solid thud of oak colliding with stone, followed by a metallic click as the door latched shut, echoed along the corridor. Within the chamber deep male voices hummed in resumed conversation. Lachlan longed to press his ear to the door that he might hear what was being said, but when he paused, seriously considering it, the guard eyed him discouragingly. Raking his fingers through his thick, dark hair, Lachlan strode away.
    He was not sure what to make of this journey. On the one hand he was wary of leaving Slains. He rather liked the life he’d carved out for himself here. A nobleman without the benefit of lands (thanks to his grandfather for pishing away the family’s wealth and vast holdings), Lachlan, like his father before him, had been forced to take a knighthood with the Earl of Erroll. One needed food, coin and shelter, after all.
    Under William Hay’s leadership he’d risen in the ranks, proving himself a trusted and worthy servant. His life was by no means luxurious. But it was comfortable.
    On the other hand he did not like that the feud between King James and the Black Douglases had reached Lord Erroll. Lachlan liked the action of training and battle as much as the next man, but this was different. If Lord Erroll were pulled into the fray, the earl would be siding against the king.
    Which meant Lachlan would be siding against the king.
    Which meant treason.
    Perhaps, then, this summons to Kildrummond had come at a fortuitous time, as Lord Erroll said. It was a notion which his friend, Sir Alexander MacByrne, agreed with.
    “I’ve no wish to fight the king,” Alex said as the two knights sat together in a tavern later that evening. “I’ve heard that Lord Erroll considers standing wi’ Douglas.”
    “He didna outright deny it when he and Lord Albermarle discussed the matter earlier,” Lachlan confirmed. “I’d think that, were he a mind to keep out of the quarrel, he would have said