"A young Turk who would make a name for himself, but one cannot gain honor in the corps through a dishonorable act, my lord dey." He handed his friend a handkerchief to staunch the flow of blood.

"Take care of Baba Hassan, Azura and the harem ladies," Caynan Reis said to his friend.

"I will," came the reply, and then Aruj Agha turned away, disappearing into an alley. "Allah go with you," he said as he went.

"Let me see," Baba Hassan said worriedly, and examined the wound. "You will have a scar, my lord, but it is not life threatening," he pronounced. "Come. There is the felluca. You must clear the harbor before sunset else the chain be raised against you."

Three young men were waiting for them. They were Italian, and Baba Hassan gave each of them a small bag containing a gold coin and five silver coins. "Get this man safely to Naples, and each of you will be given another gold coin by my agent, who will meet your vessel to make certain your passenger is safe. You have been given your freedom for this purpose. Fail me, and I will know. You shall be punished wherever you attempt to hide."

The three men nodded.

"Thank you, Baba Hassan," the dey said quietly and with deeper meaning. He stepped down into the felluca.

The chief eunuch nodded. "Allah go with you, my lord Leigh," he said quietly, and, turning away, disappeared into the maze of streets.

They had departed immediately, clearing the harbor. He had had no difficulty from his companions, and three days later they had reached Naples. At the docks a well-dressed man had been waiting their arrival, and paid off the three sailors.

"The felluca is yours," he told them, and then turned to Deverall Leigh. "My lord Leigh, I am Cesare Kira. You are to come with me, please. We will go to my father's banking house in the ghetto where you will want to make your deposit, and then we will arrange for your transportation back to England."

Deverall Leigh had followed the young man, and been taken to Benjamino Kira. The elder Kira had taken the cloak from his guest and handed it to his daughter, who had removed the false lining with its gold-filled pockets, handing the coins to her father who piled them up upon his counting table. When she had finished, Benjamino Kira counted the coins, and weighed the gold. Then he nodded to his daughter, who slit the hems of the long garment individually and spilled out its jeweled contents onto her father's table. When she had finally finished, she sat down and began to repair the cloak so he might wear it again.

"I do not need a double lining in the cape, mistress," he said to the girl. "If it would please you, please keep the silk."

Her face lit in a sweet smile. "Thank you, my lord, I will." She then bent her head to sew the hem.

"You are generous," Benjamino Kira said. "It is a fine piece of Bursa silk you have given my daughter. It will make her a wedding gown, eh, Soshanna?" He smiled at the girl's blush, and turned back to Lord Leigh. "Baba Hassan has sent you with quite a fortune, my lord," he noted. "What do you intend to do with it, and how may we help you?"

"I am the heir to the earl of Oxton," he had explained. "How much of my story do you know, Signore Kira?"

"I know you have been the dey of El Sinut for nine years, my lord, and left because of the rebellion by the janissaries that caused your life to be in danger."

"It was my warning of that rebellion that saved the young sultan. In thanks, he threw me to his enemies. I had no choice but to leave. Now I will go home to England to clear my name of a crime I did not commit. I carry the proof of my innocence with me." He withdrew the rolled parchment from his shirt. "I hope to gain a royal pardon with this. Then I will marry, and lead the life I was meant to lead."

The banker nodded. "Fate has an odd way of manipulating us about," he said dryly. "Now, however, we must plan for your trip. With your permission, my lord, I shall make the arrangements, and see that your gold and jewels are transported safely to London."

Deverall Leigh had traveled to Paris in the company of a train of merchants. There he had been taken in hand by the banker, Henri Kira, and sent on to Calais. He crossed to Dover, and was met by Master Jonathan Kira, who escorted him up to London to his father, James Kira.

"Your trip was a pleasant one, I hope, my lord," the English banker said. "I have taken the liberty of inquiring as to your father's health. The earl is frail, but in no immediate danger. I have also taken the liberty of putting a watch upon the countess so that we can be certain she remains in Glocestershire while you complete your business here." He indicated a small chest upon the table, and, opening it, said, "Your gemstones, my lord. Will you ascertain that they are all here?"

Deverall Leigh, somewhat amazed by the efficiency of the Kiras, took out the inventory slip that he had prepared in Naples and checked it over. "Everything is here," he said finally. "The gold is on deposit, I take it, Master Kira."

"It is, my lord," said the banker with a smile. "Now, then, you will need a private audience with King Charles, will you not?"

"I will," he had replied.

"It will be arranged. The duke of Buckingham's family does business with this house." He looked into the still-opened jewel chest and plucked a large, round diamond forth. "Set in gold, a nice gift for the king, don't you think?" he said. "And a crucifix of gold, rubies, and pearls for the queen, I believe will be quite suitable."

"I shall leave it all in your obviously capable hands," Deverall Leigh replied. "Where am I to stay, Master Kira, and how long must I remain in London? As you can imagine, I am anxious to see my father."

"It will take a few days, my lord, to arrange an audience with the king for you. It would be better if you remained here as my guest. I do not want you out wandering the streets where you might be seen until you have been pardoned by the king and are free to do so without danger of arrest."

He had been grateful to the Kiras, and gladly accepted their hospitality. He was well treated. Several days later, he was presented with a new suit of black velvet, the doublet of which had an exquisite fallen lace collar. Each leg of his knee breeches had a wide silver ribbon garter with a black-and-silver bow. His doublet was trimmed with silver buttons, and the fine cambric of his shirt shone through the slashes on the puffed sleeves. White silk stockings were worn below where his breeches ended, and his black leather shoes sported silver rosettes. He had silver lace trimming his white leather gloves. His hair was short, and contrary to the fashion, he wore no beard or mustache. One side of his face was perfect in profile, but the scar running from his eye to his mouth on the left side of his visage gave him a menacing yet tragic appearance.

He rode to Whitehall Palace in a coach provided him by his hosts. He was met by a gentleman of the court in debt to the Kiras, a member of the duke of Buckingham's family, who took him to a private apartment. He was told to wait. Shortly afterward the king arrived. He listened to Deverall Leigh's tale, and accepted the confession that Adrian Leigh had dictated before his death. Charles Stuart read the parchment, and then he arose, requesting that his guest remain until he returned. There was wine, and there were biscuits to be had.

Deverall Leigh waited. He poured himself a half a goblet of wine, but ignored the biscuits. He paced back and forth for a time, and finally sat by the fire wondering what the king's decision would be. Would he accept Adrian's confession, or would he hang Deverall Leigh? It had begun to rain outside. He watched the droplets running down the leaded pane windows as the fire crackled noisily. Finally the door to the privy chamber opened, and the king reappeared. Deverall Leigh jumped to his feet, bowing low.

Charles Stuart's mouth twitched, but his mouth was serious when he spoke. "I have spoken with my counselors, Viscount," he began. "We are agreed that the confession you have brought us is genuine. Given your stepmother's reputation, it is entirely possible that it happened just as your unfortunate younger brother has dictated. We regret his death, of course. It has also been noted that while you might have been considered an impetuous youth, you were never known to be violent. Nor were you considered dull-witted, and given Lady Clinton's notoriety, it is considered unthinkable that you would have killed another man for her favors, which were so readily available to all. We understand your fright at the incident, and your belief that it was necessary to flee England given the fact that the alleged murder weapon belonged to you. Ground glass and hair. It is an interesting choice."

"It is a method that was developed in Naples," Deverall Leigh said.

"Ahhh, yes," the king replied. "And, of course, your stepmother comes from Naples. It would have never been considered, my lord. Perhaps you were wise, indeed, to flee England; and you have certainly had your share of adventures. I imagine you will find life in Glocestershire quite dull after all you have been through. You will want to marry, of course."

"Yes, Your Majesty, if I am pardoned," Deverall Leigh responded.

"If you are pardoned? God's blood! Did I not say it? No! I did not say it, or you would not have asked. Aye! You are fully pardoned, Viscount Twyford. My secretary is even now drawing up the papers for you so you will have no difficulty with the local sheriff. Now, is there some pretty lady who has been awaiting you all these years?"

"No, my lord. In my youth, I fear, I was far too interested in sowing wild oats than seeking out a respectable woman to wed. Now, however, I must begin my search. When I was at court years ago, I saw a pretty little maid who would, of course, be grown and of an age to wed, if she has not already wed. Her name is Lady India Anne Lindley."

"You aim high, my lord," the king said. "Lady Lindley is my nephew's half-sister, and a considerable heiress. Still, it is my recollection that she was quite flighty, and could not decide upon a husband. I believe her family took her back to Scotland. I have not heard, however, that she is married. My nephew would have said so if she were. He lives here at court with us now. She must be at least twenty. I would seek a younger wife if I were you."

"I will take Your Majesty's advice under consideration," Deverall said in a noncommittal tone. Then he reached into his doublet, and drew forth two velvet bags. "I have brought this for Your Majesty," he said, proffering the royal purple velvet bag, "and this for Her Majesty." He handed the second bag, this one of white velvet, to the king.

Charles Stuart plucked the round diamond which had been set in gold with three carved gold plumes behind it, and designed as a pin, from its bag. He held it up, admiring it, and then pinned it to his doublet. "A fine piece, my lord," he approved. Then he drew forth the queen's gift, and a small chuckle escaped him. "For a man who has been away from England for a time, you understand my wife better than I do, sir. She will indeed esteem your gift." He slid the pearl-and-ruby crucifix on its gold chain back into the white velvet bag.

The king's secretary had come in then with his pardon. He was given the rolled parchment with its royal seals and dismissed.

"You are free to go home now, my lord. Godspeed," were the king's last words to him.


***

He left London that day, and a week later, beheld Oxton Court for the first time in eleven years. His father wept upon seeing him and learning of his pardon for the crime he had not committed. His stepmother wept upon learning of Adrian's death, but afterward she came to his room and attempted to seduce him as she had of old. He spurned her, telling her what he had not told his father. That the king knew the truth of Lord Jeffers's murder, and if anything happened to him, she would be hung. MariElena Leigh was not a particularly intelligent woman. This man was not the easily gulled boy she remembered. This man was a dangerous creature, and she was afraid for the first time in her life. From that moment on, she went out of her way to avoid him, and when their paths did cross, she was deferential toward him.

His father died a month later, worn out but content that his favorite son was free to assume the duties of the next earl of Oxton. His stepmother was now terrified as to what would happen to her. She learned her fate in short order. A royal messenger arrived with an edict of banishment. MariElena di Carlo Leigh would be sent back to her family in Naples, and never allowed to set foot in England again.