Gemini - Dorothy Dunnett [174]
‘I beg your pardon?’ Nicholas said. If they were enjoying it, he didn’t mind. He handed the spectacles back, splashes removed.
‘It’s irrelevant,’ said Colin Campbell. ‘Truly. But go on, Archie. What else?’
Crown gift of tack, heirship moveables. Conjunct infeftment and bairns’ rights—
‘But David Simpson had no relatives, did he?’ Avandale asked. ‘In which case the ultimus haeres is the King, who is therefore, at law, the injured party. Is that correct, Colin?’
‘Concessum,’ said Colin, who was not only a lawyer, but Lord Justiciar South of the Forth. ‘But Archie, the lucky one, remembers much more of it all than I do.’
Master Whitelaw, serenely continuing, mentioned restitution, reversion, and remission for arson in exchange for security. He added something about Wrongous and Maisterful Action by Strangers.
Nicholas stopped listening. When it ended, he just said, ‘So what is the penalty?’
Argyll looked pained. Avandale said jovially, ‘Whatever the King and his counsellors wish to make it, not excluding death. If, that is, you blew up the building, and a witness felt compelled to confirm it. Otherwise, it must be regarded as natural combustion.’
Everyone looked solemn, including Nicholas. Whitelaw said, ‘In which case, we might return to the business in hand.’
In the next hour, there was very little frivolity, as they discussed the effects of Albany’s raids over the Border. Accounts were still coming in, but everything pointed to the familiar patterns of destruction, and pillage, and burning. The difference was that the perpetrators were the Warden’s own force, purporting to execute justice, but acting outside the due March procedures. It had gone too far to stop, and all that was left was to try to contain it.
The English complaints were beginning already. The formal protest would come from the English Warden, backed by the Crown. The question was how best to deal with it. Both countries needed peace. England had been glad to sustain it so far. Negotiations were under way for the marriage of the lady Margaret to Earl Rivers, the English Queen’s brother. Dr Leigh would pay his regular visit in March with the annual portion of his Princess’s dowry, by which time the Scottish Parliament would have met to compute and agree a similar dowry for Meg. Any local dispute between the two countries must be settled—would be settled, by compensation if need be, before then.
‘Which will delight Sandy,’ Nicholas said. Three bottles on, they were all on Christian name terms again.
Archie Whitelaw grunted. ‘Which will, clearly, return the young man to the state of mind which impelled him on this course of action—anger against the royal policies; misplaced sympathy for his sisters; disgruntlement over his personal standing. It is unfortunate that the earldom of March covers such a large area. Also, youth and vigour and patriotic fervour have their own appeal. I am told he rides attended by the bard Harry. Perhaps he—or someone—will invite Master Holland as well.’
Nicholas said, ‘Sandy isn’t a Wallace, but he’s quite well liked. He’s seen as being honest, at least, in his convictions. He is the overlord of many others, as you say, who owe him service, or money. He has less support among those who find him erratic and occasionally violent, and of course among those who can trade and live well without war. His men have followed him this time.’
‘Perhaps the falterers could be encouraged,’ said Colin Argyll.
‘Not by me,’ Nicholas said.
Campbell smiled. Drew Avandale said, ‘No. Nicholas is right. He must keep Sandy’s trust, as we must rely on Adorne and the Queen to moderate the King’s language and actions. You have not yet met the Queen? In private session, that is?’
‘No. It would be unwise,’ Nicholas said.
‘It might become advisable,’ Avandale said. ‘Leave it to me. Meanwhile, it is your influence over Sandy that we require most of all. Find him when he gets back. Re-establish your credentials. And keep him out of trouble, if you can, until