“I believe you,” he said slowly. “Does that mean I might have to kill someone?”

“Of course not,” she said impatiently. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Just asking. I’d judge you to be very intense. What do you have in mind?”

“Only what you promised Palik you’d do. I’ve decided I need to leave MacDuff’s Run for a few hours. You’ll take me where I want to go. Do what I tell you. Keep me safe.” She paused. “And don’t talk to anyone about what you’re doing.”

“That last order is the one that could maybe get me seriously injured,” Rodland said. “The others are strictly in line with Palik’s directives. Would you care to tell me where I’m supposed to take you? I assume nowhere near Hugh Bohdan?”

“Nothing to do with Bohdan.”

“And what would you really do if I said no? Besides get me thrown into MacDuff’s dungeon.”

“Find a way to go by myself. It would just be easier if MacDuff thinks you’re with me.” She took a step closer to him. “Either way, it’s going to happen, Rodland. It has to happen.”

He was silent a moment. Then he shrugged. “I guess I’d better make certain it’s done right. When and where are we going? You said it involves blowing this magnificent family home of MacDuff’s for a time?”

She nodded. “But not right away. We’ll spend the afternoon over at the courtyard stables and you can help me look through some storage rooms for a few of MacDuff’s ancestral treasures. We’ll let MacDuff’s guards and stablemen see us working there.” Her lips twisted. “And that will also give me a chance to keep an eye on you and decide whether or not I’m making a mistake in trusting you. I’m not usually this impulsive.”

“That won’t give you enough time,” he said lightly. “I have hidden depths. Evidently so have you.” He gestured toward the door. “But we can both make the attempt. It should prove interesting…”

Chapter 6

Chapter
6

Stable Courtyard
4:40 P.M.

When do I get to be a food taster?” Rodland asked her as he handed Jane another volume to add to the ones they’d already put in the box at the foot of the steps. “I’m getting bored. I need a little pizzazz in my life. I’m sure MacDuff would prefer me to risk my life imbibing cyanide rather than go blind going through all these moldy books. I think I’m developing an allergy.”