My Ruthless Prince by Gaelen Foley Read Free Book Online Page B

"
    "To kill you?" they exclaimed, predictably outraged.
    "You, James? But you're one of our most revered leaders!"
    "Obviously, he sees him as a threat," the Russian murmured.
    James hesitated with a grim look. "The truth is, I don't believe he meant to stop with me. It appears Malcolm no longer wishes to answer to the Council. I daresay he's decided he can get along without us."
    "What exactly do you mean?" the French duke demanded.
    "I'm saying Malcolm seeks to rule alone--he and his son. And he's soon going to come after us if we don't eliminate him first."
    "Would he really take it so far?" the cardinal murmured into the ominous hush that had fallen over the room.
    "Why not? He's got nothing left to lose." James shrugged. "He knows we no longer trust him after his failure as our leader. The attack on me was only the beginning. Once I was out of the way, I am certain he planned to send Niall and his thugs after the rest of you."
    The room went silent as the members of the Council pondered these disturbing revelations.
    "Don't forget, at the last meeting of the Council," James reminded them, "Malcolm tried to make one of us the scapegoat for his incompetence. Remember? He ordered Niall to garrote Rupert Tavistock right in front of us. Surely you knew it was intended as a warning to us all."
    The field marshal shook his head, marveling. "I can't believe he sent his son to kill you."
    "Fortunately, Drake was on hand to protect me," James replied.
    "So--" The Frenchman leaned closer. "Is Niall dead?"
    "No," James answered judiciously. "He was captured by the Order. Suffice it to say that Niall will not be a problem anymore. I doubt any of us will ever hear from Junior again."
    Most of them seemed pleased at this news though a few looked slightly shaken by it all.
    "Does Malcolm know the Order has his son?" the cardinal inquired.
    "I don't believe so. But it won't be long before he starts wondering why he hasn't heard from him, and why Niall hasn't returned from London. That is why I called this gathering on such short notice, and I appreciate you all making it here so quickly. I hope it wasn't too inconvenient. Septimus was kind enough to offer his hospitality here at Waldfort, and the location seemed central enough for everyone to reach with relative ease."
    Glasse gestured politely in welcome.
    "So, here we are," James said, planting his hands on the table before him, "and time is of the essence. We must decide what we intend to do, and if we are going to act, we must move quickly in order to take Malcolm by surprise. I would not give him time to marshal his forces against us. At the moment, he has not yet realized anything's wrong, but I doubt we have more than a fortnight."
    "So, let us take a vote, then, and be done with it," Glasse spoke up impatiently. "Those in favor of keeping Malcolm as head of the Council, say aye."
    The chamber was perfectly silent.
    "Those opposed to his continued leadership?"
    Hands lifted all around the table.
    It was unanimous.
    "Very well, then," James said grimly. "Malcolm is hereby deposed as head of the Council. We will begin considering our plans on how to move against him at once--"
    "But who will take the role of our new leader in the meanwhile?" Glasse interrupted.
    Drake was well aware that Falkirk and his old friend, their host, the German count, had arranged in advance between themselves for this question to be asked at the crucial moment. "Someone has got to take responsibility as the next head of the Council," Glasse added.
    They all looked at James.
    "It must be you, James, yes," several of them murmured.
    "Me, my lords?" He seemed genuinely shocked, but of course, this had been their plan from the start.
    "Let us vote again," Glasse urged, rising from his chair, the first to lift his hand. "Those in favor of James Falkirk as the next head of the Council?"
    "Aye!" the others agreed before he had even finished speaking the words.
    James appeared overwhelmed. "I do not seek this, my