The Virgin's Spy (Tudor Legacy #2)(86)

“As to my mind,” Maisie said delicately, “I put it to use while I was at Blackcastle. There are things I could tell you that you might find useful.”

“Useful for what?”

“For avenging Liadan.”

Ailis flinched at the sound of her daughter’s name. But beneath the pain, interest flickered. “Tell me.”

“When you are ready to move against Dane, I will give you every advantage that my memory and my money can provide.”

Ailis gave a tiny, perhaps involuntary smile. “Let us show these men what women can do.” She drew a shaky breath, then added softly, “For Liadan’s sake.”

—

From the moment she assembled her council, Ailis could feel how close to the edge she stood. Beneath what had been a drowning despair, she felt a spurt of anger kindle. It cleared her head to a surprising degree, and she embraced the anger as an ally. How could these men turn on her so quickly after all she had given this clan? Her childhood stolen, her innocence abused, all the years devoted to strengthening their position—did they mean nothing? If she had been a man, her leadership would have been solidified by now.

If she had been a man, there would have been no Liadan to rip her heart out.

She took her place at the table and surveyed those here. Diarmid, looking stern and grave, but still her most devoted ally. Good. She would need him to believe in her for a little while longer. There were three of Diarmid’s men as well, the most seasoned warriors, who could add their experience to the planning. All her men were competent and capable.

Also, there was Maisie.

If the men were surprised to see the Scots widow among them, they had more pressing concerns. At least Diarmid did. “What are your plans for the English spy?” he asked first.

She met his gaze coolly. “All in good time. The most pressing matter is how to answer the murder of our most innocent daughter.”

“How?” Diarmid snorted. “With violence. There is no other answer.”

“Agreed. Perhaps I should have been clearer—we must decide on the when and where of that violence. Maisie and I have a plan.”

There were raised eyebrows at that, but the men’s instinctive respect for a mother who had lost her child meant they kept their mouths shut. For the moment. Ailis nodded to Maisie.

“I saw a fair amount of Blackcastle while we were there,” Maisie said, producing the carefully drawn map she had done for Ailis. “Dane could not make up his mind whether we were prisoners or guests. No doubt he expected only hysteria from females, not the ability to memorize floor plans and calculate available arms and stores. His mistake.”

Next to Ailis, Diarmid whistled as the map was spread on the table before them all. A builder or military engineer could not have done better. For having been at Blackcastle just over twenty-four hours, it was a masterpiece.

Ailis, having already gone over it with Maisie, pointed out the essentials. The interior was of less concern than the courtyard and the numbers. “Stables, armory, stores,” she said, pointing in turn. “Dane has mostly men in his castle—a few have wives working in the kitchens and laundry. Dane rides them hard. They’re disciplined and quick. There will be no second-guessing of any orders they’re given. They might have been shocked—or not—at Liadan’s murder, but make no mistake, they will back Dane to the hilt. That is what the English do.”

“Only English troops?” Diarmid asked. “He’s been known to use gallowglass.”

“Maisie didn’t get any indication of gallowglass in hold. And there won’t be,” Ailis said decisively. “Not for this fight. It will be Irish against English.”

“Are you certain?”

“I know Dane. This is a matter of pride. He wants to grind us beneath his boots—and only English boots will do.”

Diarmid looked unconvinced but did not dispute the matter. There was a more critical point to make. “Even if it’s only his men, Dane will have more troops than we can muster. Unless you”—he nodded at Maisie—“managed to poison their food and water, we cannot match them in numbers.”

“I thought about it.” Maisie said it so matter-of-factly it was impossible to tell if she was serious. “But at the time, I had no reason to suppose we would not be released unharmed. It seemed silly to provoke matters. Besides, if there’s anything well-guarded at Blackcastle, it’s the food and drink stores. Dane knows he’s always at risk of being cut off for a time. He can withstand a siege for some weeks at least.”

“We will not lay siege,” Ailis said flatly. “Sieges are for cold calculation, not vengeance. Liadan will not rest in peace until Dane is dead. We must draw him out for that.”

“Of course he’ll be drawn!” Diarmid shouted. “He can sweep through whatever men we can muster. How will that help Liadan rest?”

Ailis felt her mouth smile and knew it was as cold in appearance as it felt. “Dane will not use gallowglass…but we will.”

“With what money? We have barely enough to feed the household through this winter. We have nothing to sell except ourselves—and even if we could, we cannot deduct one man of us from this fight.”

“Then it’s a good thing Finian married a rich girl,” Maisie said.

In the silence that fell, hope warred with disbelief on Diarmid’s face. He spoke directly to Maisie. “But your dowry money was not great, and most of it has been spent feeding us this far.”