The Patriot (30 page)

"I see. So - Graham is less strongly-placed that he would have had me to think. Which makes his coming to Saltoun yesterday the more interesting! When is this Convention to be?"

"The letter said at the earliest possible. By the end of the month. But that is scarcely practicable. Duke Hamilton is coming up to preside over it. He cannot be High Commissioner, since such can be appointed only by the King of Scots. He may be in Scotland now - I do not know. But William wants no time wasted, so it could be any time now. I am ready to go at a day's notice."

"Aye - then it is time that I returned to Edinburgh, I think. Even if I am not to be a commissioner for Haddingtonshire, there may be something that I can do . . ."

So Andrew rode north again next day, by the coast-road this time, by Dunbar, to Beil. There Johnnie Belhaven confirmed most of what Home had. said, and could add more. His chief, the Duke of Hamilton,
had
arrived in Edinburgh and had summoned the chief Williamite supporters to meet him there the very next day, himself included, at Holyroodhouse, to plan their strategy for the Convention, and to fix a date. That affair was going to be a trial of strength indeed, for James - or at least Dundee, who was acting in his name - had also called for a Convention and would no doubt seek to dominate and constrain it in James's favour. The tale was that he had first intended it to be a full Parliament - since James could lawfully still call one - but had decided against this in case the decisions went against him, and so could claim that they did not carry all weight and authority. No doubt, if he found matters going
his way, or James's, he would have the final sessions declared a Parliament indeed.

Johnnie was highly indignant to hear that Andrew had been excepted from the lifting of forfeitures and so would be ineligible for calling as a commissioner. He declared that it made him doubtful as to whether William was worth supporting - save in that he could not be so bad as James. He confirmed that he had his own circular letter, from William, to attend, as a Lord of Parliament; and that Cockburn of Ormiston had been summoned as a shire commissioner. So Andrew's exclusion was the more painfully deliberate.

At least Johnnie had a suggestion to make. Andrew should accompany him to Edinburgh next day. He could ride in the guise of a servant, if need be. And he would insinuate him into Hamilton's meeting at Holyroodhouse, where they would see what could be done.

Andrew was somewhat doubtful as to this last, for his very brief relationship with the Duke of Hamilton all those years ago had hardly been of the happiest. But they would see . . .

* *

It seemed strange, after all his furtive lurking and hiding, to be entering the royal palace of Edinburgh openly, even though Andrew did so as groom and bodyguard to the Lord Belhaven and Stenton. After Johnnie dismounted at the impressive front entrance, Andrew led the horses round to the stableyard-court at the back, to enter the august premises by a rear door, where he discarded his steel-bonnet, heavy sword and liveried cloak and, respectably-dressed beneath, went through to join his friend in the Duke's quarters. Even so there were a lot of suspicious glances cast, both at front and rear, and not confined to Andrew Fletcher. For, at this juncture, Holyroodhouse was also the residence of the Lord Viscount Dundee, the King of Scots' representative, who was occupying the royal apartments, with his lieutenants and staff; and all visitors had had, as it were, to run the gauntlet of inspection by Graham's officers before gaining access - indeed they had had to ride through the rump of the army encamped in the park around. The Duke of Hamilton was Hereditary Keeper of the palace and so had his
p
rivate wing of the great ram
bling establishment as his Edinb
urgh town-house; and Graham could scarcely keep him out, since Hamilton had never actually come to blows with James, and his high rank had always ensured him some sort of links with the royal Court at London. And he was, after all, almost a member of the royal family, the Hamiltons having intermarried with the Stewarts on more than one occasion.

Andrew had realised that his arrival at the Duke's meeting might not altogether please that haughty individual; but he was unprepared for the stir created by his appearance amongst the company at large. To only one or two of those present had he revealed his return to Scotland hitherto, secretly; some others undoubtedly would know of it. But to most there - and some thirty men were in the handsome panelled chamber - his entry came as a major surprise. The majority knew him, to be sure, many in a friendly enough way, others less so; but all, certainly, had heard of him. The fact was, of course, that he did not realise just how celebrated a figure he had become since he left his native land, his adventures, exploits, troubles and links with both Monmouth and William of Orange, all apt for note, discussion and undoubted exaggeration. That he was a condemned murderer and renowned slayer of Turks, allegedly, may have contributed to the interest. There was, accordingly, a nudging and exclamation. Then a loud and authoritative throat-clearing from the fireside vicinity produced an anticipatory hush.

"Belhaven, is that yourself?" Hamilton called, without any noticeable warmth. "And in unlooked-for company, I see!"

"Yes, my lord Duke - and most valuable company!" Johnnie gave back, boldly. "I consider myself highly privileged to be able to bring Mr. Fletcher here. To our much advantage, I am sure." He stumbled a little over that assertion, well rehearsed as it had been.

Andrew bowed, briefly, but said nothing.

Hamilton frowned and tapped a toe on the carpet, seemingly undecided as to what line to take — which was unusual in that man, at least in public. He appeared to have aged considerably since Andrew had last seen him, now in his fifty-fifth year, grown thick, florid and heav
y-jowled; but his former assump
tion of superiority gave no impression of having faded. All awaited his reaction.

"Mr. Fletcher hazards himself in coming here," he said, at length. "No doubt he has his reasons for so doing? Likewise yourself, my lord!" Having delivered himself of this suspended judgment, the Duke turned to resume his converse with those standing near.

If this scarcely amounted to the warmest of welcomes, at least it was not total rejection and dismissal. Even so, Andrew's temper boiled up; but Johnnie's grip on his friend's arm was firm, almost urgent. Whether this would have been sufficient to overcome the latter's conviction that he would be infinitely better elsewhere is doubtful; but reinforcement was at hand. A handsomely saturnine-featured individual from the hearthside group came forward, hand outstretched.

"Ha - Saltoun! How very good to see you again!" he said smoothly. It was Sir James Dalrymple of Stair, Lord President of the Court of Session, chief justiciar of Scotland, now in his seventieth year, although he by no means looked it.

If this development caused surprise, it was not least in Andrew himself. In the first place he had not expected to see Dalrymple in this company. That wily lawyer had played an equivocal part indeed on the political scene. He had been strongly anti-Covenanter and pro-Charles, a trusted colleague of Lauderdale's. Then he had astonished all by his famous volte-face against James Stewart, at the 1681 Parliament, when he upset the government's plans by his trick of getting the Test Act as good as nullified by having incorporated in its wording the wrong Confession of Faith. This had resulted in his having to leave the country for a while and his turning up at William's Court at The Hague - where Andrew had last seen him. But since then he had returned to Scotland, and evidently James's favour, for he was received back into government, first as Lord Advocate and then promoted to Lord President. Now here he was at this gathering of William's supporters, and making himself conspicuous by being first to greet the outlaw whom it was surely the chief law-lord's duty to have apprehended and executed for treason. Moreover, he had called Andrew Saltoun, the lairdly title which was, of course, forfeited with the estate

Andrew shook hands warily. He did not trust Stair
a
yard, but recognised his astuteness and nose keen to sniff the winds of change; therefore the possible advantages for himself of this greeting.

"I heard that you were back and amongst us," Stair said, pleasantly. "Scotland is the better off, I am sure. Where have you been hiding yourself, friend?"

"Here and there, my Lord President - here and there. You, now, have not
required
to hide yourself, I perceive!"

"That is so. But I am no plotter, sir. A simple man - and the soul of discretion, to be sure! I serve my country as best I may."

"As do we all," a new voice added. It was John Hay, eighth Lord Hay of Yester and second Earl of Tweeddale,
a
near neighbour of Andrew's, at Gifford. "How good to see you, after so long, Andrew. We have missed you."

How greatly Tweeddale had missed him was a matter for question. He was another who had kept his position and estates by carefully trimming his sails to the winds that blew — which perhaps was indeed the sensible course in such difficult times, for clearly the great majority of the nobility of Scotland had so elected. Related to the Duchess of Buccleuch and Monmouth, yet a supporter of Episcopalian Charles, he had still managed to be.a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury under Catholic James as well as an Extraordinary Lord of Session. That he was here at Hamilton's pro-William meeting, like Dalrymple, would seem to indicate which way the tide was flowing in Scotland.

Thus led, others came to greet the returned wanderer, headed by Robert Kerr, Earl of Lothian, Tweeddale's cousin. And perceiving it, Hamilton found it expedient to modify his attitude somewhat and at the same time reassert his authority.

"Fletcher," he summoned, "we are discussing the Convention. Its form and procedures. I understand that we are not to have the benefit of your attendance!"

"So I am informed, my lord Duke." Andrew moved nearer to the fire, to avoid having to shout. "But - perhaps there is time to rectify that matter? A fast courier to King William in London urging reconsideration?"

"Insufficient time, sir. His Majesty requires the Convention to start at the soonest. I am calling it for five days hence. Besides, King William is unlikely to change his mind on this matter, I think." That was pointedly said.

"I wonder who advised him to it?" If that was less coldly enunciated, it was equally pointed.

The Duke shrugged. "His Majesty knows his own mind. And no doubt has his good reasons."

"Then I say that it is a shame and a scandal!" Johnnie Belhaven burst out. "Andrew Fletcher has served him well. Better and more closely, I swear, than any other in this room! Yet he only is singled out for exclusion. You, my lords and friends - have any of you ever lifted a hand for William's cause, much less drawn sword? As have not I. Andrew ventured his life for William. Was a colonel of horse in his army. Yet
we
are all called to this vital Convention and he is excluded. His estate still forfeit. Why?"

There was an uncomfortable silence.

"His Majesty knows his own business best," Hamilton said at length.

"Is it his own business? I say that it is Scotland's business!"

"My lord of Belhaven should watch his words!" the Duke said sternly. "The King's business
is
Scotland's business. And Scotland's the King's. There are sufficient enemies of His Majesty hereabouts, some in this very building, without aiding them by foolish and unconsidered talk!"

"Are you not prejudging the issue, my lord Duke?" Andrew asked quietly. "Scotland's business is not
yet
King William's business. The Estates of Parliament may make it so, but have not yet done so. You refer to William as His Majesty, and rightly. But he is not yet His
Grace,
the King of Scots, I would remind all present."

Again the uneasy hush as men eyed each other.

"That is what we are here to ensure - that he does become King of Scots," Hamilton declared, frowning. "As is his right."

"Tell King William, then, from me, that he has not as good right to this crown as I have to my estate of Saltoun!"

Andrew averred. "Can any deny it?" And when none answered him, he went on,
"This
is why William has acted against me. Because I told him the truth. That only the Estates of Parliament could make him King of Scots. And that the Estates would require his promised adherence to the rights and freedoms of the Scottish people, so vilely trampled on by the last two monarchs, before they offered him the throne. William did not like that - and I say that we should be warned that he did not! He is a sound man, strong, a fine soldier and a good Protestant. He
could
make an excellent king, I think -so long as he understands the limits of his kingship. That he has acted as he has done, shows that there is a danger that he does not, a danger for Scotland."

There was considerable stir and exclamation at that, some in agreement, some not. Hamilton could be heard declaring that it was entirely obvious why King William had decided to teach this insolent young man a lesson. The Convention undoubtedly would go a deal more smoothly without him.