Cassillis swallowed hard, for he knew damned well his Kennedys had been raiding. Arran too felt his necknot only had his Hamiltons likely been lifting cattle, the king knew theyd been brawling with the Douglas up and down the Cannongate. On top of that, as admiral, he had to take the censure for allowing English ships to harry Scots vessels.

Only Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, remained undaunted. He was a borderer, and a good borderer believed that the goods of all men in time of necessity were by the law of nature common. The king had a goal in mind, but he had yet to reveal what he wished to accomplish with this passionate harangue. Angus veiled his shrewd eyes and waited.

The king turned to Archibald Kennedy. Cassillis, you are the pivotal means tae an end of these hostilities. Blood bonds are the best means of forging together rebellious clans tae preserve the peace. Ive already spoken tae Argyll. I want ye tae see that Donal Kennedy weds the Campbell girl immediately. Now Cassillis, yeve two nieces. I want one tae go tae Arran and one tae Douglas.

The Earl of Arran knew his son Patrick was ready to declare for Lady Valentina Kennedy, so he bowed his head in acquiescence. Angus, however, knew Hotspur Douglas would welcome marriage as heartily as the hangmans noose. He opened his mouth to protest, but James said smoothly, Angus, you know how a bond of marriage cements good relations. Since yer son married Bothwells lass, theres been peace between yer clans where once there was nothing but hostility.

Archibald Douglass mouth turned down at the corners.

The Hepburn wench enjoyed indifferent health and had yet to produce an heir. He almost told the king to forget wedding plans for Ram Douglas, then bethought how the clan was in need of heirs to carry on the bloodline.

Wed no do well tae keep the best blood in Scotland bottled up when theres so many could do wi a drop, Douglas said with a contemptuous look at the others.

The king stood up, and they knew the audience was over. See to it, he added in conclusion.

As Cassillis and Arran departed, James said, Angus, a word.

Archibald paused, wondering shrewdly what else James was after.

The king possessed great shrewdness too, however. I assume all yer vessels are armed with cannon?

Douglas nodded in a guarded fashion.

The king continued, If it becomes necessary, I want ye tae put them at Ramsays disposal. I know hes not above a bit of pirating.

Sire, Arrans yer bloody admiral, Douglas pointed out.

James rolled his eyes. I know, man. Is it any wonder I need the help of Douglas? James let out an inaudible sigh. At last he had won him over.

Ramsay Douglas and his hardened moss-troopers usually wore scuffed leathers and rode about the wild borders armed to the teeth. Other years he had attended the Border Wardens Court attired this way and eyed with contempt the English penchant for pageantry. This time, however, his instincts told him to arrive with all pomp and ceremony.

He arrived at the meeting in Berwick-on-Tweed in black, half armor, inlaid with gold. His helmet sported a tossing black plume. His mens breastplates gleamed in the sun.

Four trumpeters with their horns at the ready led the cavalcade, followed by two standard-bearers in colored tabards carrying the Red Lion on Gold of Scotland. Next came a piper in Douglas dress tartan, and directly behind him a flag bearing the Bleeding Heart of Douglas.

Ramsay dismounted from his massive black stallion and tossed back his crimson-lined cloak. His black head was erect with pride, and he smiled inwardly, thinking, top this, Dacre!

Lord Dacre, the English chief warden of the marches, had been given new orders by his spoiled megalomaniac of a monarch, Henry VIII. He was to raid into and devastate Scotland as far as he could. Henry had an overpowering ambition to gain control of Scotland, and he would use any means to attain his goalconquest, assassination, bribery, or even intrigue with his sister Margaret, Scotlands queen.

James Stewart knew Henry had his pig-greedy eyes focused upon his realm, but he had no idea to what lengths Henry would go to attain anything or anyone he desired.

Most of the small border clans posed no threat to Dacre, even the ones who were wardens like Ferguson, Elliot, and Lindsay, whom he discounted as without much power or influence. It was the larger, more powerful clans like Hamilton who would pose trouble since the chief was so high in the Scots kings favor, he had been named admiral. And of course he feared Douglas. Henry knew the voracious ambition and power hunger of Clan Douglas. They were probably the most powerful family in Scotlandat least, they had the greatest armed mightand they were easily the richest.

Dacre came to the wardens meeting with his own heralds and flags, but for once the English were outdone at their own game. Lord Dacre had a long nose, and whenever he addressed a Scot, he looked down it as if he smelled something rancid.

Lord Ramsay Douglas was the highest-ranking Scots border lord, and he presided over the court with Dacre.

There was a panel of judges made up of the wardens from both sides of the border; then there was a jury chosen from English and Scots families who lived on either side Ram reviewed the usual list of cases that were to be heard, which dealt with thieving, raiding, and the lifting of sheep, cattle, and other goods Some were charged with poaching, and there were a couple of rapes, but nowhere could Ram Douglas see the case uppermost in his mind: Kerr versus Heron. Douglas pointed the omission out to Dacre.

Ridiculous. Heron killed no Scot! Dacre said firmly.

Perhaps not, said Douglas, holding on to his famous temper, but he is charged with the murder of Kerr, and we will try him in this court.

Dare you challenge my word? demanded Dacre in his most supercilious manner.

I challenge ye if yeve guts enough tae step outside.

You would love to reduce this court session to a freebooters brawl, I have no doubt. Your temper and lack of self-control are perhaps why you are called Hotspur!

Douglas froze him with a dark look. No, the name was given tae me because of our motto, Never Behind. I am a leaderalways the first in battle or any other fight. The first tae right a wrong, the first tae punish injustice. He continued without pause, You will summon Heron tae present himself within twenty-four hours.

Dacre thought discretion the better part of valor and nodded his agreement.

The next day, when Heron was conspicuous by his absence and Ram again challenged Dacre, the latter spread his hands. Heron was nowhere to be found.

Ramsay looked at him incredulously. There were very direct means of making an invisible man appear, by simply threatening to torture one of his offspring. Ram realized this was a farce. His first instinct was to take Heron himself and hang him from one of his own trees, but the king had been adamant about doing the thing legally.

Late in the afternoon, Ramsay was informed that people had been gathering across the River Tweed. They had grievances but would not set foot in England. He rode across the bridge to speak with them, canny enough to take the other Scots wardens with him as witnesses.

The savage tales he heard of pillaging angered him, the tales of butchery sickened him. One man claimed, The bastards put the torches tae our village. The women and children took refuge in the stable, but they fired that too!

Ram questioned them closely to see if they could identify the raiders. There had been no identifying banners or badges, yet some of the people swore that uniformed soldiers had slaughtered their animals and stolen their fodder. Douglas pledged his help to these border families, whose clan names were so familiar to himBruce, Scott, Hay, Armstrong; they were his people.

Once more Douglas challenged Dacre in a hard, cold manner. He knew if he allowed his temper to heat, blood would be spilled. Again came the supercilious excuses: A warden cannot control every last moss-trooper who serves on border patrol.

Douglas was almost speechless. I have no trouble controlling my men. I pity a man who lacks leadership qualities. They almost drew steel until he saw Patrick Hamiltons eyes upon him. Hamilton would love to carry the tale back to the king, of Hotspur losing control of his infamous temper.

In bed that night Ramsay reflected upon Dacres words.

It was true that men, especially hardened moss- troopers, were difficult to control, but surely that was what made a leaderhe had to be stronger than the men under his command. He searched his mind for a man who was almost impossible to control and came up with himself With a grimace he assured himself that even he obeyed Angus and the king. He had no idea this obedience would shortly be put to the test.

The Wardens Court concluded a week later, with all the cases before it tried and justice dispensed, but to say that it had been an unsatisfactory meeting was a gross understatement. Douglas prepared a strongly worded report for James Stewart, recommending he make immediate, formal protest to the English Crown demanding redress and compensation and immediate cessation of hostilities. The alternative he suggested was simple. The king could look the other way while Douglas used his own methods to keep law and order.

When they left Edinburgh, the Campbells and Kennedys rode together as far as Glasgow. When Argyll had sold his cattle at the stockyards, they would make their way to Stirling to await the bridegroom and his clan.

Argyll grudgingly told Donal, his son-in-law to be, that since hed driven the prize Campbell longhorns from Glasgow to Doon, he might as well carry on with the cattle drive and take them to Castle Kennedy at Wigtown.

Donal wanted to reassert that he had not stolen the longhorns, but he swallowed the protest that rose to his lips and thanked Agryll wholeheartedly No sense starting out on the wrong foot with the irascible old devil.

Meggan rode beside Valentina and Ada. She was weak with relief that the wedding had not been called off. She would have much preferred not being on display at Stirling, but she knew better than to make the slightest protest. She had confided to Tina that Donals seed was growing inside her, and she lived in daily terror that her father would find out she had a bairn in her belly.

Tina kept a sisterly eye upon her, and when the men set too hard a pace, she spoke up without hesitation to her father and Argyll, secretly amused at the hot glances the old earl cast in her direction.

When the Kennedys arrived back at Doon and Rob told Elizabeth that the king had graciously offered to hold Donals wedding at Stirling, she was inordinately pleased When Rob mentioned a date less than two weeks hence, she flatly refused. That is impossible! Half Scotland will be there. Tina and Beth will need bridesmaidens gowns in fact, Beth will need a whole new wardrobe. Two months might just suffice, not two weeks.

Rob closed his eyes in an effort to summon patience and murmured to Ada, Make her listen tae reason. We canna keep Argyll waiting, tae say naught of King Jamie.

Elizabeth looked askance at Ada. The gossips would have a heyday if we rushed the marriage in such an undignified way.

Tina looked at her mother and said softly, The gossips will have a heyday if we do not rush the wedding.

When her mother took Tinas meaning, her mouth fell open, and then she took her humiliation out on Tina You are a disgraceful girl, knowing of such things! Tis most unseemly for an unwed maiden to stand there so knowingly and discuss such a shameful subject unblushingly in front of her mother. Ada, you have made the girl brazen and immodest with your modern ideas!

Ada conceded dryly, Perhaps, but she wont make the mistake of getting a bairn in her belly Elizabeths lips disappeared in disapproval, but she knew there was no time to lose lecturing. In less than a week and a half they would have to set out for Stirling.

Riders were dispatched with invitations that dayno mean feat to ensure none were offended by being overlooked. Elizabeth had to rely upon Rob to provide the guest list. The Gordons were high on the list, insufferable as they were with the Earl of Huntly calling himself the Cock o the North. Then there were about eight other earls Erroll, Montrose and their clans, and so on, and so on.

Their own clan was so widespread that over twenty invitations were dispatched, and when Elizabeth listed the Douglases, she was quite vexed that there were so many of the disreputable devils, stretching from Tantallon and Dunbar through Galloway, Mearns, and up to Kilspendie and Longniddy.

Invitations must not be extended to any of the clans who were out of favor with the king or with Argyll, namely MacDonald, McLean, and Cameron.

Every female at Doon was expert with a needle, and Ada designed, cut, and supervised Beths new wardrobe, a new gown for Elizabeth, and the sisters bridesmaidens dresses. On the ride to Glasgow with Meggie Campbell, Ada and Tina had learned that the shy girl favored blue.

So even though Tina thought there was nothing so insipid as blondes in powder blue, she shrugged a shapely shoulder and agreed, knowing her copper hair looked ravishing against blue of any shade.

Although Valentina hated to ply a needle, she did so now because Ada had no time to spare. She would have to take clothes that were not new, but at least no one at court had seen them before, and she lowered the necklines on the ones she decided to take. She would need enough clothes for a few days stay and her most stunning riding dress in which to arrive.

As she surveyed the contents of her wardrobe, selecting and discarding various gowns, her hand fell upon an unusual creation she had never worn. She loved the varied colors of the sheer material, which were a mixture of orange, amber, and tawny, all over an underskirt of black, which showed through the paler colors, making it resemble the skin of a wild animal. On impulse she packed it with her other gowns.

In the kitchen Mr. Burque was busy mixing currants, raisins, and candied fruit with just the correct amount of liquor for the wedding cakes. He was to travel to Stirling with the family to assemble and decorate the cakes and to create other confections for the banquet.

Rob Kennedy had made a special trip to get the rare spices and nuts Mr. Burque had demanded from one of his ships that had just anchored at Ayr. Rob had been able to get sacks of almonds for the almond paste, or marzipan as the Frenchie called it, and he had obtained cinnamon and nutmeg for the custards, but he could not remember for the life of him the other spices the chef had requested. Rob found Tina perched upon Mr.

Burques worktable, one of her favorite spots whenever his kitchens were filled with heavenly aromas that would tempt the devil himself.

As Rob set down the supplies he named them.

Almonds.

Mr. Burque nodded, Marzipan, oui, oui Cinnamon.

Merci, Oui, oui Nutmegs.

Oui, oui, trs bien!

I could no get the other stuffwhat was it? Rob muttered.

Merde!

Thats itthe ships didna fetch merde, lied Rob.

Tina covered her mouth quickly before she laughed in her fathers face. Shit-flavored wedding confections would be quite a novelty!

Non, nonhow you say ginger?

Ginger! Rob said, remembering now.

Oui, oui! cried Mr. Burque.

Wee wee? A real mon calls it piss, Rob said in disgust.

Valentina and Mr. Burque caught each others eye and went off into peals of laughter. Rob Kennedy escaped, knowing he was out of his depth in the domestic environment. Prancin ninny! he muttered.

Lady Valentina elected to ride with her brothers the forty-odd miles to Stirling. She felt a pang of pity for Ada, who had to ride with her mother, Beth, and Kirsty in the monstrous, uncomfortable carriage. All Rob Kennedys retainers kept the slower pace with their lord and his wife and suffered the hard edge of his tongue with every mile.

Tina had refused point-blank to take two days and convinced her father she would be perfectly safe with Donals men at their back. Duncan and Davie ragged Donal mercilessly about the shackles and fetters of marriage, but he took it all philosophically, knowing in his very bones that marriage, especially with his sweet lass, was right for him.

Tina tended to agree with her younger brothers on the subject of marriage but refrained from teasing, knowing it would be her turn only too soon. On the ride they passed lonely peel towers, ideal places where reivers could dwell, but the law stated that lairds were to construct these towers for defense purposes every few miles. Tina caught her breath at the vistas. They passed a burn that had come down for thousands of years, slashing open a fearsome wooded ravine. The fiercely rushing waters had battered and gouged their way, forging pinnacles and jagged rock facings. The hills were covered by pine and larch and fir. They rode through glens, past fan-shaped waterfalls and quiet ponds, where the fish lurked beneath hazel bushes before they darted upstream to feed.

They scattered hen and cock chaffinches and blackbirds and small furry creatures that disappeared down their burrows before they could even be identified. A lochs surface rippled like watered silk, and inside Tina a slow, delicious excitement stirred because she was engaged in an adventure that might afford her opportunities of disobedience and misbehavior.

The town of Stirling was on the River Forth with the purple ramparts of the Highlands just beyond the steeply winding, narrow streets. The sun was setting as they reached Stirling Castle, a hilltop citadel on various levels with towers, bartizans, and parapet walks. Grassy ledges and terraces with steps cut for access were utilized for gardens. Halfway down the northeastern flank was a plain consisting of a few acres where cows grazed peacefully.

They rode around the back of the fortress, past the bowling green and the quoiting pitch, to the barracks and stables. Valentina spoke to a royal groom explaining that her mare, Indigo, was valuable and must be kept safe from stud stallions. She laughed to herself later as she realized how shocked her mother would have been if shed overheard.

The queen and her court were already in residence and planning festivities for every evening they would spend at the Highland castle, which was far more conducive to pleasure than the brooding castle at Edinburgh. There would be a couple of days for fun and games, then on the third day the marriage would be solemnized, and before everyone departed at weeks end, the queen had planned a lavish costume ball.

It was highly entertaining just watching the guests arrive. Tina was surprised that a wedding was such a potent draw She had never seen so many tartans, mottos, and badges displayed in her life. She knew the Scots were wickedly proud, but she began to wonder if Ada wasnt right when she said that although they had a dour facade, they were romantics and sentimentalists to a man.

Before the rest of her family arrived, Tina had acquired some brown-gray Lazarus beads to conjure the Devil.

The queen and her ladies thought it amusing and fashionable to practice magic. When her sister and her female Kennedy cousins arrived, Lady Valentina held her own court, which also included the bride and the many Campbell females who were quite countrified and thought Tina the height of fashion and sophistication.

She was thoroughly enjoying herself among the vast company, showing off her rustling taffetas, pointed stomachers, and ruffs rimmed with pearls.

She got more than her share of electric glances from the lusty men. She adored the temptation to recklessness, but she had more good sense than to return their intimate glances of silent invitation. Yet she saw many a coy look from ambitious girls. She laughed with her cousins and said clever things about men: He has neither rank nor virility, two necessary qualities in a man. But when she saw Colin Douglas limp into the hall with Black Ram Douglass brothers at his side, her soft heart went out to him. On impulse, she crossed the large chamber and sketched him a curtsy. Colin, welcome to our wedding.

His eyes were friendly and amused. It is my pleasure, Lady Kennedy.

I cannot call you Colin unless you call me Tina, she pointed out.

Gavin and Cameron Douglas grinned cheekily and elbowed Colin aside. Gavin kissed her hand gallantly and murmured, Ye are even more beautiful than last time we met, Tina.

She arched her brows coolly at his use of her name.

Colin Douglas was kind to me in a trying situation, but that doesnt mean I embrace any other Douglas! She swept off with an aloof shrug of her shoulder.

Yer no but dirt beneath her feet, Cameron needled.

Christ, Id like tae be beneath her skirt, Gavin said. Ill never know why Ram hates the sight o hershe has enough allure tae stiffen a corpse.

Ramsay Douglas did not think he would be bothered to ride to Stirling to the Campbell-Kennedy wedding. After he made his full reports to the king, he thought it expedient to return to the borders since they were in sore need of patrolling. But when the king and Angus took it for granted he and his men would escort them to Stirling, he capitulated without demur.

James Stewart and Archibald Douglas each waited for the other to bring up the subject of marriage to Ramsay.

When Angus realized the king expected him to do the dirty work, he put it off until he had enjoyed the festivities at Stirling. He was damned if he was going to light the fuse of Hotspurs explosive temper quite yet.

The day was bright with sunshine, a rarity for the Highlands, which so often had a somber, brooding quality. Everyone young and not-so-young was outdoors crowding around the archery butts, quoiting pitch, bowling green, or the menagerie of bears. But all the youngest guests who were daring enough were gathered atop the northeastern flank, where a long, grassy slope led down to the plain. A raucous game of hurly-hackit was in full spate, a grass-sledging activity on the skulls of oxen, using the upcurled horns to steer.