Page 2 of A Touch So Wicked

“I am Lieutenant Ralph Thornsdale of the king’s Black Watch.”

“Do you have any idea what this is about, Lieutenant?”

“I do not, Captain, though I was instructed to tell you to make all possible haste to London.”

“’Tis late,” Damian sighed tiredly. “I’ll leave at first light tomorrow.”

“Nay, sir, you must leave now, within the hour. I was told that every minute counts.”

“But the men under my command…”

“They will be transferred to another command.”

Though Damian had little respect for the Hanover king who spoke little English, he was a staunch defender of England. When king and country called, he obeyed.

London, 1752

King George reposed in a chair in his Privy Chamber, watching avidly as his Prime Minister, Lord Pelham, spoke to Damian.

“’Tis the king’s wish,” Lord Pelham intoned dryly, “that Sir Damian Stratton be rewarded for his faithful service in England’s defense.”

Damian cocked a dark, sardonic brow. “Has His Majesty finally recalled the promise made to a young knight?”

“Ja, ja, we did not forget,” the king said, nodding vigorously. “You have fulfilled the promise of youth and have become a man we can trust. Now we wish to reward your loyalty.”

“Over the years you have proven your courage and fealty,” Lord Pelham said. “England has need of a man with your experience and strength. Intelligence has uncovered a plot to unite two Highland clans. The united clans have the potential to become a powerful force in Scotland and a threat to England.”

Damian’s attention sharpened. “Does His Majesty wish me to destroy the rebellious clans?”

“Nay, there is more to it than that,” Pelham said, waving his hand imperiously. “We do not wish to start another war. Given the remoteness of the land in question, we paid scant heed to it in the past. But suddenly the situation has the capability of exploding. We learned that a marriage between the Gordon laird and Maiden of Misterly is to take place at Misterly fortress. It’s located near the village of Torridon, on Loch Torridon.

“Until recently we’ve had little reason to suspect anything was amiss there. The deceased Lord of Misterly, the great Alpin Fraser, and his male heirs fell at Culloden, and since we had little use for a fortress situated on the edges of nowhere, we paid it little heed. But should the Gordons and Frasers unite, our hold in the Highlands could be threatened. All those loyal to the Frasers and Gordons will rush to join forces against England.”

“Lord Pelham,” Damian interrupted, “how does this involve me?”

“Tell him, tell him,” the king urged gruffly.

The Prime Minister bowed graciously to the king and continued. “You have served the king and England faithfully, Captain. For your years of devoted service, His Majesty wishes to reward you with Misterly Castle and all the lands that accompany the holding, including the village of Torridon and those serfs and freemen tilling the soil.”

Damian went still, his silver eyes narrowing in disbelief. He was to be given land and a fortress in the remote regions of Scotland? He wanted land, but he’d hoped, nay, prayed, it would be on English soil. He had little liking for Scotland and those savage Highlanders. To refuse, however, would be foolish as well as dangerous.

“In addition,” Lord Pelham continued when Damian remained silent, “you will be rewarded with a title and the small estate of Clarendon in Cornwall. However,” the minister cautioned, “His Majesty expects you to reside permanently at Misterly and maintain order in that remote area of the Highlands. What say you, Damian Stratton, Earl of Clarendon, Lord of Misterly?”

An earl! He was being given a title and land in England! For years the most he’d hoped for was a small piece of land to call his own; he’d had no reason to hope for a title. Now he owned a title, immense lands, a village in Scotland, and an English estate. Perhaps one day, when order was restored to the Highlands, he could retire to his English estate and let a steward manage his holdings in Scotland. In truth, he wanted naught from his Highland estate save its rents and tithes.

Damian’s attention sharpened on Lord Pelham as the Prime Minister pointed out what was demanded of him. “His Majesty is depending upon you, Lord Clarendon, to prevent the Maiden of Misterly from marrying the Highland laird Tavis Gordon. A strong man is needed to control the warlike Gordon clan. They are rebels and outlaws. The king is giving you temporary command of twenty of his own Black Watch to escort you to Misterly, but he expects you to hire your own mercenaries for the permanent protection of your holdings. Just remember, England stands to lose valuable lands once considered firmly under our clutches if an alliance is formed between the Gordons and the Frasers.”

“I understand,” Damian said gravely. “Neither the Gordons nor the Frasers will cause England trouble so long as I am Lord of Misterly.”

“We trust you, Lord Clarendon,” King George said. “The Demon Knight has earned our respect as well as the title and lands we have bestowed upon him.”

Damian was elated, though somewhat disappointed that he must remain in the Highlands in order to collect his title and lands. Suddenly a thought occurred to him.

“What are your wishes concerning the Maiden of Misterly, Sire? Shall I have the Black Watch escort her to London?”

“Ah, the Lady Elissa,” the king said. He gestured at the Prime Minister. “Tell him, Lord Pelham.”

“Our sources tell us that Lady Elissa resides at Misterly with her mother, Alpin Fraser’s widow. Both her brothers fell at Culloden. His Majesty has decided to send both mother and daughter to St. Mary by the Sea Convent, a day’s journey north of Misterly. The convent has already been notified of their arrival and will comply with His Majesty’s wishes. Under no circumstances are you to allow Lady Elissa and the Gordon laird to marry or even communicate with one another.”