The Gowrie Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF

and where he was presumably content.
    ‘If only he would divorce me – as a barren wife, he would have just cause,’ said Tansy, ‘then Will and I could marry.’ And Tam learned that Tansy had a lover, the natural son of James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, who was briefly Queen Mary of Scot’s third husband.
    Tam hoped he would have a chance to meet William Hepburn who had been raised by his paternal grandmother Lady Morham and, on her death, inherited a small estate in Perthshire, neighbour to Ruthven Castle. Unmarried,approaching forty, Tansy Scott had for many years been the one and only love of Will’s life.
    Hoping Will was worthy of so great a prize, Tam also encouraged Tansy to talk about her granddam – the remarkable woman and witch Janet Beaton, aunt of Marie Beaton, maid-in-waiting to the Queen of Scots who had followed her into exile.
    ‘My granddam was the trusted friend of His Grace’s mother , you know, she was present at his birth,’ Tansy said proudly . ‘The queen had great faith in her herbs and, I do not doubt, in some of her magic spells,’ she added in a matter-of-fact manner, as if such knowledge was readily available to all.
    Tam regarded her anxiously. Aware of the king’s merciless treatment of witches, he felt that Tansy, having already exhibited some of her granddam’s powers, should be more discreet.

    Even as Tansy was informing Tam of Will’s imminent arrival to escort them to Perth, and in the Queen’s apartments the royal couple argued over King James’s wish to elevate Tam to the role of cupbearer, Mistress Agnew, huddled in her borrowed cloak against the rain, was hurrying across the courtyard on her way to Tansy’s lodging.
    From her vantage point in the windowseat, Tansy paused to wave to her.
    ‘At last,’ she sighed. ‘Her Grace has made up her mind about the right colours. That has been delaying me.’
    And studying him she frowned. ‘But what shall you wear for the queen’s Masque, Tam?’
    Tam shuddered. ‘None of these slashed and padded breeches, if you please, Tansy. I am not a man of fashion.’
    Tansy regarded him shrewdly. ‘I agree. I cannot for the life of me see you in such a role. I think a scholar’s gown would best become you,’ and, eyeing him narrowly, ‘yes, a good velvet cloak and a modest cap – black perhaps.’
    ‘Have I then to visit the royal wardrobe?’ asked Tam, havingalready decided to keep as much distance as would be acceptable without suspicion between himself and any future contact with King James.
    Tansy smiled. ‘I shall put you into Will’s capable hands. He has an excellent wardrobe but shares your scorn for the fripperies of court fashion. I am sure he will provide you with something suitable for grand occasions, especially as he is much of your height and complexion.’
    Pausing, she frowned. ‘But where is Agnew? What has become of her? She is taking a very long time to climb the stair –’
    Tansy opened the door where only the top of the spiral was visible. ‘Margaret,’ she called. And again, ‘Margaret!’
    Her answer was a banging door left open out of sight at the foot of the stair, a sound like a moan…
    She gave Tam a startled glance and together they ran down the stair. At the base lay a crumpled shape wreathed in a rain-blackened cloak.
    ‘Margaret, my dear, are you hurt? What has happened?’
    As Tansy put her hand on the cloak, it came away with a sticky wetness. Not of rain but of blood. Gently, Tam turned the woman over. Her eyes opened and flickered for the last time as her head rolled back and he saw the dagger, the knife thrust to her heart –
    Even as Tansy screamed her name they saw how she had met her death. Mistress Margaret Agnew had been murdered .
    And for Tam the wheel had begun to turn.

Chapter Three
    In the dim recess of the turnpike stair, Tam and Tansy bent over the dead woman.
    ‘Who could have done such a thing,’ whispered Tansy. ‘Agnew never harmed anyone. She was such a