The Gowrie Conspiracy (19 page)

Living under the same roof with the brothers promised to be a trial. Without serving any useful purpose at Gowrie House, except to play friend and honoured guest for Alexander’s benefit until Tansy returned, Tam realised he had found himself in the middle of a somewhat trying domestic situation.

With John vaguely disapproving of his presence and ready to throw cold water on Alexander’s wild schemes that smelt
of treason and danger, the future seemed to stretch endlessly ahead.

After the meal, Tam sighed with relief when the conversation switched to the less inflammatory topic of the young Earl’s travels in Europe. In Geneva he had met the famous reformer Beza who, he alleged, was devoted to him. After Switzerland came Paris where he met, among others, the exiled Francis Stewart, fifth Earl of Bothwell, and bastard nephew of Will’s father, James Hepburn.

Together they had laughed over Francis’ attempts to
terrify
King James and become a perpetual thorn in his flesh. A more productive meeting had been with the English
ambassador
, Sir Robert Cecil who, in common with Bothwell, had little cause to love King James.

Accepting Cecil’s invitation to the English court, John soon discovered that Elizabeth had found no good reason to change her opinion of James as “that false Scotch urchin”.

‘What thought you of the Queen of England?’ asked Tam curiously.

John smiled. ‘A formidable lady indeed. No one could doubt she was her father King Harry’s daughter. Not one would wish to make an enemy of.’

‘How can you say that, brother?’ demanded Alexander. And to Tam, ‘He is being modest as usual.’

‘I was very well received.’

‘And although she is never lavish with her gifts, you were given a cabinet of plate,’ said Alexander sharply.

‘No doubt they thought I might be useful to them,’ said John.

‘Perhaps you allowed them to believe that you had more influence with King James than was completely truthful,’ said Alexander somewhat bitterly. ‘Why do you not tell Tam about how jealous he was of your reception by the queen, his many
jests and petty taunts?’

And to Tam he added, ‘We have it on good authority that when crowds came out to welcome John’s return to Edinburgh, the king said that there were more with his father when he went to the scaffold. Do I not speak truth, brother?’

John shook his head. ‘As we did not hear it with our own ears, we can only dismiss it as rumour.’

‘You are so – reasonable,’ said Alexander fiercely. ‘Even about a man as treacherous and murderous as the king. Have you no stomach for revenge after all he has inflicted on this family?’

And they were back again on Alexander’s favourite
hobby-horse
. A merciful interruption by the steward Henderson had Alexander leaping to his feet and leaving John and Tam alone at the table.

John swilled the wine in his goblet, regarded it
thoughtfully
and asked, ‘Tell me about yourself, Master Eildor.’

‘There is not a lot to tell, sir. Not a great deal of note
happens
in Peebles,’ and quickly changing what might become a dangerous and awkward subject to lie about, he said, ‘I was pleased to visit my cousin Tansy at Falkland. Life at the Palace was an interesting new experience.’

‘And Gowrie House is yet another.’ Raising his goblet, John added with a laugh, ‘I wish you joy of it, for once Tansy returns I do not doubt she will keep us all in order,’ Bowing, he excused himself. ‘I have matters to attend to. I wish you goodnight.’

It was growing dusk outside, the long gloaming of a Scottish summer, and Tam decided on a walk through the gardens and down to the river. The fish would be leaping for insects flying above the water. Such peace would make an agreeable end to the day.

Descending the stairs, he heard whispered voices and came upon Alexander in earnest conversation with Henderson, who was looking ill-at-ease.

Not wishing to interrupt what appeared to be some domestic
crisis, Tam turned on his heel.

Alexander saw him and looking guilty said, ‘I apologise for abandoning you to John’s hospitality.’

As Alexander dismissed Henderson, who was showing a tendency to linger, Tam said hurriedly, ‘My apologies. Please do not let me interrupt you.’

With little desire for Alexander’s company on his quiet evening stroll he abandoned the project and said, ‘I was
considering
retiring if you would be so good as to show me to my room.’

‘A pleasure, dear Tam.’

Climbing the stair, Alexander led the way to the family apartments alongside the gallery and opened the door into a small but comfortable bedchamber overlooking the courtyard and stables. Thanking him, Tam’s relief at being able to retire was short-lived.

Taking his arm firmly Alexander said, ‘But you are not for bed yet, Tam, for I have one more place, a very special one, that I have decided to show you.’

He led the way along the Great Gallery. In the curious twilight glow with the rags of a sunset, paintings took on a spectral life. Trees in sombre landscapes seemed to move and
castle
windows gleamed anew, high above rivers whose waters sparkled and endlessly flowed.

They had almost reached the door leading to the Gallery Chamber when Alexander turned and said, ‘I am about to let you into a great secret. But first I must have your promise that you will tell no one.’

Wondering what it was all about, Tam was too curious to refuse. ‘You have my word.’

Alexander nodded approval. ‘In particular you must promise not to tell my brother,’ he added urgently, pulling aside a tapestry that hid part of the wall.

‘Here is magic for you, Tam. Behold!’ and touching a carved wooden leaf, the panel slid open to reveal a tiny
staircase
leading upwards. ‘Follow me.’

Tam could scarcely stand upright in the room, which was no more than six feet high and seven feet square. There was no window to the outside but faint light was provided by an oblong at eye level.

‘What do you think of my secret place?’ whispered Alexander and without waiting for a reply, ‘This is a priest’s hole. Built by my grandfather, for those were troubled times and he favoured the Catholic cause.’

Angling Tam towards the faint light, he said excitedly, ‘Look down there – what do you see?’

Below him, Tam saw the whole of the Gallery Chamber with its corner turret. Like a stage set, every part was clearly visible, barring the entrance door directly under where he stood.

‘Is it not wonderful?’ asked Alexander.

Tam laughed softly. ‘It is quite incredible. I do not recall this – ’ he pointed to the oblong frame.

‘That was because it just appeared as part of the ceiling above the door. What you are looking through is very fine glass thinly painted to resemble wood from inside the
chamber
. And therefore invisible. It came from Italy, is it not a
marvellous
invention?’

Tam agreed but before he could question the use of such an elaborate device, Alexander said, ‘My grandfather considered it useful if he had a priest hidden away, but at other times it served as a laird’s lug – and eye. He would invite those he distrusted to meet in the turret chamber below and listen to their conversations. And I believe it has also been the bridal chamber on occasion, so that the activities of the bedding might be enjoyed in secret by the guests.’

He laughed. ‘Now, is it not a marvel?’

Tam could only agree. Whatever his thoughts concerning the revelations of the Earl’s ingenuity in spying on his guests, he had to remember Gowrie House had been built in troubled and dangerous times.

Alexander was in no hurry to leave. Clearly, he wished
Tam to enjoy and relish the prospect offered by the laird’s eye.

It was remarkable. One window looked out on the front court gate and main entrance to the house, the other window opened on to the main street. This was the most publicly
situated
room in the house, a great vantage point for an earl who was also a voyeur.

Although the light was fading, Tam could see the church spire, the wooded hills and he could both see and hear the
citizens
of Perth walking or riding homewards down the main Shoe Gait beyond the house walls.

So the laird’s eye served another more useful purpose, he decided, as an eeyrie from which a watchful eye could be kept on what was happening by conspirators within, and approaching enemies without, Gowrie House.

Returning towards Tam’s bedchamber, Alexander said, ‘Sleep well, dear friend. And sleep late,’ he added
mysteriously
, ‘for you will not see me. I am for Falkland.’

Tam smiled. ‘I am an early riser from habit. Why Falkland?’

‘I go hunting with His Grace the king,’ was the mocking reply. ‘My brother also had an invitation to join the hunt, but he will be sermonising at the kirk. So I am to go alone.’

This was indeed a change of heart thought Tam. ‘This is indeed good news. So you are to be on friendly terms with the king once more.’

‘Only for an hour or two,’ said Alexander firmly. ‘I am to bring him here to Gowrie.’ Pausing, he gave Tam an intense look. ‘It is all part of my plan. My great plan.’ Tam’s heart sank. What mad scheme had he in mind? Surely he was not still planning to kidnap the king. And what was more
important
, thought Tam, how could such a disaster in the making be prevented?

‘What plan is this?’ he asked, knowing full well.

‘A new one, Tam. The king cannot resist a treasure. And we have one such in our possession, under our very roof here at Gowrie.’

Pausing to give Tam a look of triumph, he said, ‘This is a
treasure that has eluded him for years and years. He has searched high and low in vain. What do you think about that, Tam?’

‘It must be very important indeed.’

‘It is, it is! His very life depends on it. His very future as king of England and Scotland when Queen Elizabeth dies, depends on his finding it.’

‘Treasure, Alexander? Surely money could not buy him such a future.’

Alexander wagged a finger at him. ‘That is where you are wrong, Tam. This treasure chest does not contain money. It is a casket of letters. Letters that my grandfather had from his mother, Queen Mary. Letters that her deadly rival, her cousin Elizabeth of England, tried in vain to purchase from him.’

‘And what makes these letters so important to the king?’ asked Tam, again knowing full well from conversations he had had with Tansy.

‘Among those letters allegedly written to Lord Bothwell from the queen, and mostly forgeries, indicating her guilt concerning her husband Lord Darnley’s murder, there is another item. A document.’

The fatal document, thought Tam grimly.

‘You see, if this casket is opened, it will also reveal the truth that the king has murdered and tortured so many to hide. And if Elizabeth ever reads it all his hopes of inheriting her throne will be gone forever. And I will have avenged my grandfather and my dear father’s deaths.’

Tam wanted to know more, knew such information was vital, but before he could frame any questions, Alexander said, ‘I must leave you now, for I have people to see and I am to be up and about at dawn to join the king. He leaves Falkland at seven in the morning.’

Tam went back to his room and closed the door. He no longer felt like sleeping. Was the missing document in the Ruthven’s possession all this time the cause of Margaret Agnew’s murder and sundry foiled attempts on Tansy and
himself at Falkland?

And was the next murder attempt to be that of King James? Was this the reason for his time-quest?

He went over to the window. Alexander had not gone straight to bed. He was walking across the courtyard to the stables.

A moment later he was joined by the steward Henderson and they were again in deep and earnest conversation,
perhaps
a continuation of what he had interrupted earlier. Whatever the context, Henderson was not happy about it. He shook his head as if in ignorance or protest whereupon Alexander gripped his arm and adopted an almost
threatening
attitude. At last some compromise seemed to have been reached and the two returned indoors.

Tam slept badly and awoke early, in time to hear horses in the courtyard and see Alexander ride out with Henderson at his side. Going downstairs, he met John who sighed and
repeated
what Alexander had told him. He had been invited to hunt with the king but, alas, would be giving his sermon this morning.

Showing no desire to linger, and mentioning as an excuse that he still had final notes to prepare, he left Tam to break his fast alone in the dining-room, served by two silent but
attentive
maids.

Thanking them, Tam went outside wondering how he was going to fill in the day. Irked once again by having so little to do, he walked down to the river and decided that he might take refuge in his favourite pastime, as the fishing promised to be excellent on such a day.

As he sat for a while by the riverbank before returning to the house, he wondered whether Alexander would manage to persuade the king about the treasure awaiting him. If Alexander’s scheme was successful and King James arrived at Gowrie House, then Tam decided to make himself invisible. He had no wish for any further encounters with the lustful
king or for a royal command which would enrol him as a victim of the Royal Bedchamber.

Hopefully he told himself that the king was most probably fickle where young men’s affections were concerned and by now had forgotten the existence of Tam Eildor.

That alas, was not so. At the royal hunt not only was
treasure
in the form of a casket of letters being whispered in the king’s ear but also the mention of one Tam Eildor.

Now conveniently downgraded by the Master of Ruthven from “dear friend and honoured guest” to “our honest
steward
”, Tam was to provide the final lure for the amorous king.

The royal hunt was in progress and the prize, a fine buck, was leading the huntsmen and Alexander Ruthven a merry dance. In vain Ruthven was urging King James to proceed with all possible speed to Gowrie House where the man he had found with the treasure that His Grace longed to possess was being kept chained in a secret room, awaiting His Grace’s
interrogation
.

The hunt had lasted four hours, from seven until eleven, far longer than Alexander had expected and when at last the buck, sensing its doom, returned to its own territory they were back almost at the royal stables.

Again stressing the urgency of returning to Gowrie, Alexander found the king reluctant to leave before his
personal
ceremonial butchery of the buck. The moment which ended with James being up to his elbows in its blood was his particular and most anticipated delight of a successful hunt.

‘The treasure, Sire. I entreat you.’ Alexander’s whispered reminder at his side.

James frowned, looked at the waiting huntsman. There would be other fine bucks, perhaps not as splendid as this, but the chance of capturing the treasure awaiting him at Gowrie House was urgent and might not come again.

So, grudgingly he made his choice. He would leave
immediately
without even changing his horse, exhausted as were the other beasts by the long morning’s hunt.

‘We will accompany you,’ he told Alexander, gesturing towards Lennox and the Earl of Mar.

Alexander panicked. ‘Sire, it is meet that Your Grace come alone.’

James sharply demanded why, to which Alexander
conceded
that he might make an exception for His Grace’s royal
cousin, Sir John Erskine, keeper of Stirling Castle and guardian of Prince Henry in the royal nursery, plus one or two servants.

At the king’s doubtful expression, Alexander bowed and whispered that too many noble lords who were present with him at the hunt might mar the whole purpose of the visit.

When James somewhat reluctantly agreed Alexander, with a sigh of relief, bowed again.

A short distance away, just out of earshot, Lennox and Mar, who had been observing young Ruthven’s frantic behaviour during the hunt and at this short interview with the king, marvelled at James’s obvious excitement.

Lennox shook his head. Whatever the two were discussing it had to be strong indeed for James to relinquish the climax of morning’s exhausting hunt and the garroching of the buck, the quarry that had eluded them for several hours.

Riding alongside, James leaned over and whispered
confidentially
, ‘Ye canna guess, Vicky man, what errand we are riding for. We are to get a treasure in Perth.’

He then told Lennox the story that had been carefully
prepared
for those not in the plot. Last night in the fields around Perth, Alexander had come upon a rough base-like fellow. This stranger had had his cloak drawn up to his mouth and faltered in answering young Ruthven’s questions.

He behaved so suspiciously that Ruthven began to look at him more closely and saw there was something hidden under his cloak. Dragging it aside he saw a great wide pot under the man’s arm, full of coined gold in great pieces and, taking the man back secretly to Gowrie House, he chained and locked him in a safe and private room.

Then aware that the coins might be treasure trove he set out to Falkland at four in the morning to inform the king.

‘What d’ye think o’ that?’ James demanded

A pack of lies from beginning to end, was what Lennox would have liked to say. And James, so normally astute, must be out of his wits to believe it. But he had a suspicion there
was more, much more in this little tale than he was being told.

So in reply to James’s question, he did what he always did best. When in doubt, bow, his smile and slight inclination of the head to be taken as agreement.

James put a finger to his lips. ‘Ye’re to tell no one, Vicky,’ he warned. ‘Aboot this treasure, no’ even the breath o’ it. D’ye understand?’

Again Lennox inclined his head, but he wanted to know more.

‘Foreign gold, is it, sire?’ he asked, his curiosity tinged with caution for he prided himself on being was somewhat less vulnerable than his royal cousin, whose soul leaped at the first whiff of gold.

James laughed. ‘No’ gold exactly, no’ in so many words, ye ken. But a treasure, aye, Vicky. The greatest treasure in the world to us,’ he added solemnly. ‘If we get this one which we have long sought then all our troubles, over the succession and sichlike, will be resolved. Now, what think ye o’ that, Vicky?’

Considering young Ruthven’s odd behaviour during the hunt, his wild dashing hither and thither and scowling at everyone, Lennox now was forced to the conclusion that Ruthven was not the only one out of his wits that morning.

Trying to sound casual, he asked lightly, ‘What greater treasure is there, sire, if not gold?’

‘Ye’re no’ listening to what we are telling ye, once again, Vicky,’ said James shortly and frowning he asked anxiously, ‘Ruthven wishes the matter to be kept a close secret.’ Pausing, he added, ‘Think ye that the lad is discreet?’

James was a worried man. Lennox detected the note of
caution
and judging by the odd and erratic behaviour he had
witnessed
that morning alone, he would not have personally placed a substantial wager on discretion as one of Alexander Ruthven’s overwhelming virtues.

As for the treasure story, it was preposterous. But if James wished to believe it then who was he to incur his royal
cousin’s wrath by putting up a convincing argument against it. So choosing his words carefully, he said, ‘I believe Ruthven to be a discreet and honest gentleman.’

‘Ye do, eh, Vicky? But can he keep a secret?’ Without
waiting
for the reply which Lennox would have found extremely difficult James, removing his hat to scratch his head, added, ‘Did you hear aught strange about him?’ And pausing for a moment to look closely into his face, ‘Ye ken, in yon time you were wed to his sister?’

‘Sire, that was eight years ago,’ Lennox protested. ‘Alexander was but ten years old.’

Lennox’s marriage to Sophia Ruthven had been brief indeed. She had died the following year and now happily remarried he preferred to forget, as far as James was
concerned
, that he had ever associated with one of the hated Ruthvens.

Leaving the remainder of the hunt behind they progressed swiftly towards Gowrie House with Alexander still riding back and forth in the same demented fashion. At last, when the spires of Perth were in sight, he came alongside the king, drew rein, bowed and said,

‘Sire, have I your permission to ride ahead and announce to the Earl my brother that Your Grace is at hand?’

Tam heard the huntsmens’ horns.

There was no mistaking the sound that interrupted John enjoying a leisurely meal of mutton broth and fish. Having just returned an hour ago from St John’s Kirk, he was now in jubilant mood, associated with relief that the ordeal of the
sermon
, which had been very well received, was over.

As for Tam, he realised that this was the first intimation of the king’s imminent arrival and that no messenger had been sent ahead as would have seemed advisable.

Tam also decided that it was also clear from John’s
agitated
behaviour that he was taken completely by surprise and that Gowrie House was ill prepared for a visit from King
James. He further concluded that Alexander had also failed to advise his brother of the plan he had in mind which he had put to Tam the night before.

Summoning servants, John gave hasty instructions while listening impatiently to panic-stricken accounts of the
contents
of the larders. How long it would take to prepare a meal and including their reproaches that having just arrived a few days ago from Trochrie, there had been no opportunity to stock up on lavish provisions that would be expected by a royal visitor.

As Tam listened he realised he had no excuse to leap away and hide before the king arrived. His assistance was also needed in the scene of frantic activity, moving furniture and setting a table where, as was his usual custom, the king would dine alone separated from his retainers at the far end of the hall.

By the time King James entered, there was a semblance of normality. Apart from John, who still looked flustered and angry, his grim manner suggesting that once alone with his brother he would use harsh words for springing this
particular
surprise on him without even the courtesy of a messenger in advance.

John was particularly aggrieved at his brother’s
thoughtlessness
, especially on his sermon morning, since Alexander knew full well that it was something of an ordeal however well prepared and that John had looked forward to enjoying the rest of the day in pleasant and tranquil pursuits.

There was no escape for Tam. Having been warned by Alexander to expect his presence at Gowrie House, King James beamed at him across the room.

Dismissing the customary welcome from the Earl with a vague nod, he shambled over to where Tam was standing among the serving-men.

Tam bowed low and James put a hand on his shoulder, stroked his arm and touched his cheek fondly, much to the astonishment of the other servants. Then, turning, he
regarded
critically the still unfurnished hall, its unpacked trunks stacked hastily against the walls.

Frowning, he pointed to the table set aside for him. ‘Here, Master Eildor. Sit ye down, here by us. Tell your king what news.’ And pointing to the chair opposite, waiting until Tam was seated, his raised hand a royal command that they were to be served forthwith.

Leaning forward, he gazed intently into Tam’s face and patted his hand. ‘We await most eagerly your return to our service, Master Eildor. ‘Twill be Edinburgh this time though, not Falkland since we remove there directly.’

Tam was thankful for that small mercy at least, trying to pretend to be unaware of hostility hovering a short distance away in the disapproving face of the Duke of Lennox who had entered at the king’s side. Normally James dined alone and the fact that he had been excluded from the royal table in favour of Tam Eildor was a personal affront.

Lurking nearby, Lennox was aware of John Ramsay. Assured of being happily reinstated once more as James’s favourite after Eildor’s departure from Falkland, Ramsay wore a similar expression of anger for although the two had never been friends they were both united in the hope that they had seen the last of the upstart fisherman from Peebles.

Taking the wine offered him, James dismissed the Earl with his apologies for the delay in having meat ready to put before his royal guest. Leaning forward, he dragged his chair closer to Tam and asked confidentially:

‘D’ye ken aught o’this man with the bag o’ gold that the Master apprehended in yon fields outside the town last night? He tells us that he brought him here secretly, bound him and locked him away in a private room, his gold with him. Aye, gold – this treasure for us to examine.’

And listening to the story, Tam realised this was a pack of lies invented for general distribution. Alexander had never met any such man, having retired early to leave for Falkland, as he had informed Tam, at four in the morning.

‘We have told young Ruthven that we canna interfere in such matters. No man’s treasure that is a free and lawful
subject
, can appertain to the King, except hid under the earth,’ he quoted and added virtuously. ‘But the lad maintained that this wild fellow was about to do that very thing.’

And with a shake of the royal head, ‘A tricky situation, Master Eildor, aye, verra tricky, was it no’? Ye ken, this might be foreign gold brought in for the Papist cause. We may have to go to law to sort it all out.’

Tam wondered why he was being treated to all these
confidences
. With his knowledge of Alexander’s declared
intention
to himself, was he being set in place as alibi – or witness? Utterly confused, he wondered should he warn the king of a possible kidnap plot?

But caution dictated the terrible results of setting such a revelation in progress. Not only for himself but, remembering James’s taste for vengeance, for the Ruthvens – and that included Tansy.

And he comforted his conscience with the thought that Alexander dealt in fantasies that he could never hope to put in effect when it came down to practicality.

A platter of cold meats was set before James. A not very inviting repast, thought Tam, noting James’s expression and also the fact that no repast of any kind was set before himself.

The implication was obvious: his favoured position had gained disapproval all round. Averting his eyes from the king stuffing cold mutton into his mouth with both fists and then wiping them on his breeches, Tam took note that although James attempted to converse with John lingering nearby, he received few direct answers.

Indeed, John seemed very much out of sorts and whether this was the natural unease at being a rather poor host to his royal visitor or whether it had some deeper meaning was beyond Tam.

There were other guests. Despite Alexander’s warning and instructions, James had brought fifteen retainers with him in
all. Including Lennox and Mar they were seated at a board at the other end of the gallery.

As far as Tam could see no food was coming their way either and Lennox, grown hungry and impatient, took the
situation
in hand.

He came forward, bowed and whispered in his cousin’s ear.

James turned and regarded the disconsolate group staring reproachfully in his direction.

Motioning to John he said, ‘You are neglecting your guests, sir. Is it not time that some repast was put their way? Aye, and wine too, for hunting is thirsty work and naught has passed their lips since the early hours of this morning.’

John bowed and looking more agitated than ever went hurriedly towards the kitchens.

Tam looked round curiously for Alexander. He had
disappeared
a while ago. His continued absence worried Tam. Where was he and what was more important, what was he planning?