The Gowrie Conspiracy Read Online Free PDF Page B

sweet person; everyone trusted her, came to her for her herbs –’
    Tam said nothing. This was the usual response on discovery of a murder victim. Only to reveal, as investigations proceeded , at least one person, more often than not a member of the family circle or a close and trusted friend, with a secret motive for murder.
    ‘What shall we do, Tam?’
    ‘I presume the Captain of the King’s guard is the man to deal with this,’ said Tam, moving into the light.
    Tansy jumped to her feet. ‘Then I am coming with you.’
    Tam hesitated. The dead woman had just drawn her last breath as they arrived. Someone ought to remain with her still warm body in case her killer returned with the grim intention of making certain that she was dead.
    As if Tansy interpreted his glance at the crumpled form of Mistress Agnew, she shook her head, shivered. ‘Please, Tam. Do not ask me to … to stay here. I could not –’
    Tam took her arm. ‘I would not permit you to do so.’
    He did not add that it might be dangerous. Considering his logical conclusion that the killer was still lurking nearby, Tansy might well become the next victim.
    ‘Come then, we will go together,’ he said allowing Tansy to lead him in the direction of the royal stables.

    Tracking down Lord Fotheringham was more difficult than they had imagined.
    The Captain was not in the guardroom. It was desertedapart from a bored young groom yawning and hastily concealing a flagon of wine under the table.
    Somewhat reluctant to rise to his feet and salute the newcomers , slurring a little he informed them that the royal guards were out on their inspection of the Palace. They should be returning within the hour.
    ‘Exactly where might they be located at this moment? This is a matter of some urgency.’
    Tam’s stern demand penetrated the groom’s somewhat wine-ridden haze.
    He shook his head. ‘This is a routine inspection, sir. Twice a day around the royal apartments and the gardens.’ And, tapping the side of his nose in a gesture of confidence, ‘The Palace is under constant guard against strangers and interlopers .’
    Pausing, he darted a sudden suspicious look at Tam as if he might well be slotted into either or both categories.
    Interlopers but not apparently killers, thought Tam grimly. Whoever killed Mistress Agnew had by now slipped their particular net.
    ‘Your business with the Captain is urgent then, sir?’ said the groom, anxious to be rid of them as he darted a fond glance in the direction of his wine-flagon.
    ‘I have already said so,’ Tam responded shortly.
    ‘Of the utmost urgency,’ Tansy added.
    The groom, suddenly aware of her pale face and agitated manner, recognised the pretty lady who was obviously a close confidant of the Queen, since he often saw them walking together in the gardens.
    ‘A woman has been killed at the door of Mistress Scott’s lodging,’ said Tam. ‘One of Her Grace’s servants, Mistress Agnew.’
    The groom whistled softly. ‘I ken her well, sir. We all do, she will be sorely missed. Her herbs have cured many a sore head from an excess of wine-bibbing here in the guardroom –’
    And other less pleasant excesses common in the guardroom too, thought Tam, interpreting his doleful expression. Doubtless Mistress Agnew’s popularity arose from her confidential cures for the pox, much in demand among the courtiers and lesser mortals.
    Tam sighed. Here was another complication. As many visited the midwife secretly, both highborn and low, tracking down her killer was going to be even more difficult. Mysterious and unexplained deaths were not all that uncommon in the court where King James was known to be a dangerous man to cross. Offences were dealt with swiftly and terminated with unpleasant and often fatal results for the misguided wrongdoer.
    On the other hand, Mistress Agnew’s death might be related to a marital disorder, since women who were midwives had skills in bringing about convenient abortions or