The Heather Moon by Susan King

silent, intent message, and she remembered his words from last night: Say "aye" to whatever Musgrave offers, else you will both hang, he had told her. I want you both out of this.
    Now he said nothing, but she was sure that he still wanted them away from here. A subtle sense of danger spun in her gut. She edged closer to her father.
    "Da," she whispered, "listen to Musgrave. We must get out of this however we can." Archie growled in full temper. She looked at William Scott, but he had turned his head, breaking the gossamer bond between them, dispelling the fragile hope for his support that she had begun to feel.
    "You are a captured criminal, Archie," Musgrave said.
    "Ye tricked us last night, Jasper," Archie answered. "Those horses—er, halters we took were laid out a-purpose to lure us into yer trap. I willna bargain wi' ye."
    Musgrave slapped the table. "I'll trap you further, with a noose around your neck, if you don't shut up! King Henry will be generous with all Scots prisoners to honor Scotland's new queen, out of the grace of his great heart. You will be pardoned, if you cooperate."
    "There is nae grace from a graceless heart! Think me a fool, man? Henry wants to conquer Scotland! Our queen is a wee babe. The noblemen squabble for power, and argue whether a lass of any age should sit the throne. Henry seeks to purchase Border support so he can take Scotland in his grip. Ye willna have treachery o' me!"
    "King Henry will expect support for his cause in Scotland, in return for pardoning you and your daughter!"
    "Fine!" Archie shouted. "Go tell yer king we wish him well! That's all the support he'll get o' Archie Armstrong! Now leave me be—or hang me high!"
    William Scott stepped forward as Musgrave began to sputter. "Tempers serve no purpose here," he said calmly. "Jasper, explain your offer to the laird of Merton."
    Musgrave grunted. "I have been instructed by Lord Wharton, who takes his orders from King Henry, to find Scottish Border-men to help advance a plan formed by the king himself."
    Aware that her father's temper had not yet cooled, Tamsin stepped forward before Archie could retort in anger. "Say out what you want of us, Jasper Musgrave," she said.
    "You keep a woman of the Egyptian race in your house, Armstrong," Musgrave said, ignoring her.
    "Ye know Tamsin is my daughter," Archie replied.
    "But her mother was one of the Egyptian race. Does she have contact with roaming gypsy bands?"
    "She has kin among one band. That doesna concern ye."
    "Gypsies have been banished from England and from Scotland." Musgrave scowled. "Harboring them breaks the law in both lands."
    "My daughter," Archie growled, "has been in my house since she was six years old, and ye will leave her be."
    "Where was she born?" Musgrave persisted.
    "I was born in Scotland, and baptized in a parish kirk," Tamsin answered.
    "She is a proper Scot," Archie said. He towered protectively beside Tamsin. Even with bound hands, he radiated a rough power. "Ye canna punish her for her gypsy blood. Leave her be, and say what ye truly want."
    "King Henry and Wharton, with others, have designed a plan to further the king's cause in Scotland. We need men to support that."
    "Ye need lairds wi' loyalty to the English, nae such as me," Archie said.
    "We also want common Bordermen," Musgrave answered. "The success of our plan depends on help from men like you, Archie."
    "Men who would never be involved with the English," Tamsin said, "will be hard to convince."
    "Coin heals a variety of political ailments," Musgrave answered, though he did not look at her. "And we could also benefit from the help of gypsies, who never turn down coin for any task. I hear that once they give their word, they keep it."
    "Of course they keep it!" Tamsin snapped. "You can leave your spoons out around the Romany."
    Musgrave lowered his brows. "And what does that mean?"
    "She means the gypsies are trustworthy," William said.
    "But you willna get their promise for this plan," Tamsin