Hannah Howell by Highland Hearts Page B

aided me, worked with me?”
    “Because he found out ye were no king’s man but one of Douglas’s.”
    “They try to brand me a traitor!”
    “Only softly, at least when I left, but that was a fortnight ago. Those scurrilous whispers could have grown louder. Of course, the ones who decry those whispers as lies and slander were loud themselves.”
    “ ’Tis good to ken it takes some work to blacken my name so vilely. But with traitors at every turn and the Douglases in open revolt, it could work. The king has been taught the bitter lesson of trusting too freely.”
    “And has a very black temper,” mumbled Tess.
    Both Revan and Simon frowned at her.
    “ ’Tisna treasonous to say so but the simple truth, and a truth it wouldna be wise to ignore. ’Twas the king’s rages that helped stir up this trouble. Did he or didna he stab the earl of Douglas in a fury because the man wouldna end his alliance with the lord of the Isles? And the earl was under a safe conduct. A man who lets his rage run so hot and free might not have the patience needed to ken the truth or to wait out whatever doubts he may have. Ye may not wish to speak such truth aloud, but ye should still weigh its worth. ’Tis yet another thing that could work against you, Revan.”
    “The lass has the right of it,” agreed Simon, “though it shouldna be spoken of so freely. If the king has some doubts, then in a moment of black rage he could cause some grievous trouble for you, Revan.”
    “Ye mean I could well find the king’s own men and allies eager to part my head from my shoulders.”
    “Exactly—and ye already have quite enough people eager to do that.”
    “Aye, Thurkettle and no doubt the Douglases, too,” Revan muttered. He was beginning to feel as if he were neck deep in a bog and sinking fast. “At least”—he took Tess’s hand in his—“the taint of treason hasna touched you.” He looked at Simon. “Has it?”
    “Nay, she is seen as but a victim,” he said cheerfully. “But,” he continued, “I should be wary around any of the king’s men or allies. Some may not ken that ’tis all but rumor, still hotly argued. Some may feel rumor is enough when war darkens the horizon.”
    Revan nodded, staring at his and Tess’s clasped hands. They were in danger—both of them. He cursed inwardly. Every bow and sword threatening him threatened her as well.
    “I should have left you behind,” he grumbled. “I have plunged you into the thick of it, Tessa.”
    Tess opened her mouth to protest. But she remained silent. It would be a lie, empty words mouthed to soothe him.
    He would not believe it any more than she did. He had dragged her into a great deal of trouble, but he had not caused that trouble. She felt sure she would have been caught up in it all eventually anyway. Revan should not blame himself.
    “Aye, ye have. But I couldna have escaped most of this. I would have stumbled onto what Uncle was plotting sooner or later. Then I would have had to stand against him. Also, we ken now that he has always wished me dead.”
    “Why does your uncle wish you dead?” asked Simon.
    “I have a small fortune and some land.”
    “And,” added Revan, “she kens a few things about Thurkettle and about the Douglases that he doesna wish told.”
    “That explains it,” muttered Simon, then paused for another drink of wine.
    “Explains what?” Revan demanded, wishing it was not going to be another answer he was not going to like.
    “There is coin offered for your deaths by Thurkettle and by the Douglases.”
    “For both of us?” Even as he asked, Revan put his arm about Tess’s shoulders, holding her closer to his side.
    “Aye—for both of you. That they would offer a bounty for her head puzzled me. But our compatriot within the Douglas camp assured me it was true. They badly wish to catch both of you ere ye can reach the king. From what our friend said, word of it is spreading swiftly. Ye willna be able to trust