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“And you. You will instigate a thorough search of the palace, abbey, and grounds. Every inch, mind. Leave not a stone unturned. If she is here, I want her found.”
The second guard jumped to it, rushing to obey his king’s commands.
James turned to the third man. “We will need an armed escort, at least four dozen soldiers, well-armed and on horseback. Have them assembled at the gates to the city within the hour.”
“We, sire?” Robbie had not anticipated the personal intervention of the king.
“Aye, we. Are ye no’ my closest friend, Robbie? Whoever has her is more likely tae yield tae me when we catch up with them.”
It was true. There were few who were daft enough, or desperate enough, to defy the king himself. It might be possible to rescue Kat without the need for bloodshed.
“My thanks, sire.”
James clapped him on the arm. “We need to be quick. Have ye any notion of who has her or where they might ha’ gone?”
Robbie shook his head. He had been racking his brains to come up with something, anything, that might help guide their search. “No, sire.”
“We need tae find out if anyone saw her. Or if there have been any strangers about, anyone not usually at court.”
“I already did. I spent the last hour looking for her, asking any I saw.”
“Nothing?” The king’s expression had hardened. “Are ye sure?”
“Well, there was something…” He hesitated, could not be entirely certain.
“Robbie?”
“I spoke with Mary Douglas in the gardens. She was with Joan and Elisabeth Stuart. The lady was unusually hostile, did not wish tae speak wi’ me, though I ken no reason why she would be. An’ Lady Joan appeared…uncertain as to whether she had seen Kat or not.”
James turned to the bishop, who had thus far observed the rapid proceedings with open-mouthed astonishment. “My lord, please locate Lady Mary and the Stuart ladies and ask them to attend me here. At once.”
“I… I…”
“Was my instruction in any way unclear, my lord?”
The bishop shook his head.
“Then get on with it,” the monarch snarled.
The bishop scuttled from the solar.
“I cannae believe that Lady Mary would have…” Robbie’s words trailed off. He had no real notion of why or how it might have been accomplished, but he was well aware, along with the rest of the royal household, that Lady Mary Douglas was not above doing anything, however wicked, if she saw an advantage in it. The realisation settled like a rock in his gut.
If Kat has been hurt, I shall…
The king laid his hand on Robbie’s sleeve. “We shall get to the bottom of this, my friend. With God’s help, and whatever else it may take, we shall get your wife back.”
Robbie nodded, buoyed up by his monarch’s support and the hope of Almighty intervention, though he vastly preferred to shift for himself in such matters. “I shall send Charles tae Roxburghe to raise my own clan. D’ye have a man ye could send tae Elborne? The marquis will aid us, I know.”
James eyed him with interest. “You believe I should invite your English brother by marriage to lead an army onto Scottish soil?”
“Stephen will help,” Robbie insisted. “He cares deeply for Katherine. She is as a sister tae him, an’ I know the man. He is not one to betray an ally. There is his brother, too, the Duke of Whitleigh, if he is still in the north.”
James fell silent, considering the suggestion. He met Robbie’s gaze. “If this alliance is to be worth anything, then let us see how it fares. I shall send word to Elborne.”
Mary Douglas swept into the royal solar a few minutes later, reminding Robbie of a ship in full sail. She was flanked by Lady Joan and Lady Elisabeth Stuart. The younger women appeared apprehensive. Neither would meet Robbie’s gaze, nor that of their king. Mary Douglas, on the other hand, was made of sterner stuff. She glared at both James and Robbie, her disdain obvious.
James had seated himself at his desk. Robbie occupied the chair opposite. The king did not invite the ladies to sit once they had completed the obligatory curtseys.
