Free The Patriot by Nigel Tranter Page A

yourselves. Trust and support my royal father's policies - his concern for you is great. Aid, not hinder, his new officers. Guide your people to do likewise and to forsake their rebellious ways. For their own and your good. And all will gain notably. This I promise. Fail in it, and I fear for Scotland - indeed I do! In sorrow. That is all, my lords and fellow-subjects. I thank you for listening patiently."
    There was some some applause for this peculiar speech from amongst the government supporters, led by Rothes. But the great majority present were silent, eyeing each other doubtfully, wondering what it meant. On the face of it, there was nothing here to have brought them all to hear, platitudes, woolly nothings. Yet there was nothing woolly about the speaker or his manner; the reverse indeed. Moreover it appeared that this was all that he had come to say, for thereafter the Duke began to move slowly towards the door again.
    "Did I come all the way from Beil to hear that?" Johnnie demanded, low-voiced. "What is he at?"
    "There must be more to this than there sounds," Sir David asserted. "Monmouth is no fool. Here was some message - other than the obvious."
    "Certain points he seemed to stress," Andrew said. "That there was this change coming. New officers. A hand firmer but less distant. Could that mean Lauderdale's hand removed? And this of his own fondness for Scodand - of which we were not aware hitherto!"
    "Lauderdale, yes - it could be the end of Lauderdale. Perhaps Monmouth is to replace Lauderdale? Preparing his way? Coming to bide here . . . ?"
    Further speculation was cut short, as the Duke reached the door, by a touch on Andrew's arm. He found Graham at his side.
    "Come and have a word with the Duke, my friend," that man said.
    Surprised at this summons, belated as it was, Andrew could scarcely refuse. As they went, to follow Monmouth out, he said to the other, "Do I congratulate you on your military activities, since last we met? Or otherwise?"
    Claverhouse shrugged. "Who knows? I did my duty, as I saw it. A soldier takes failure and success as they come. As must you, Fletcher."
    Still wondering just what that meant, he found Monmouth and his group waiting in an ante-room off the main stairway. If it was himself for whom they waited, then perhaps the Duke was not anxious to be seen speaking to him?
    "This is my friend, Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, my lord Duke," Graham presented him. "A man of some parts."
    "Ah, yes - I have heard of Mr. Fletcher," Monmouth said civilly. "From whom was it? Perhaps it was my lord of Lauderdale?"
    "Perhaps, sir," Andrew acceded carefully. "Depending on whether you heard good or ill!"
    "So? Now, which would it be? How say you, Colonel Graham?"
    "I think that my lord of Lauderdale may have been a little . . . prejudiced."
    "Ah - who knows? Perhaps our Mr. Fletcher was also? But . . . both loyal subjects of my father."
    "That certainly, my lord Duke," Andrew agreed, still more carefully.
    "To be sure. Then may we hope that we can rely upon so loyal and able a subject to aid in the King's cause hereafter? In a new . . . dispensation? To the much advantage of all."
    Andrew moistened his lips. "I would hope so, sir. That the King's cause should be mine also is my earnest prayer."
    "Well said, Mr. Fletcher - well said! But . . . you fear otherwise?"
    "A, a new dispensation, my lord Duke, could put much to rights."
    "Exactly. So say we all. So - may we rely on your aid? To help bring about this happier state?"
    Pressed thus, as into a corner, the other hesitated. He tried to be in all things honest; and this was difficult. "I hope so," was the best he could do.
    "It could be much to your gain, my friend," Monmouth added.
    Andrew was usually of a temper to give as he got - and he resented both the cornering and this suggestion of personal advantage. "My own wellbeing is not for consideration, sir," he said. "But that of many others is at stake. Even now. I had heard that your lordship made a