"Rosemary! Rosemary!" cried Alistair, as he rushed in from the other room.

"Oh, Alistair, someone is trying to get in the door, sneaking in without our knowlwdge. I slammed the door on his fingers," Rosemary replied, while waving her hands, and the knife, as she spoke. During this exchange, moans could be heard coming from the otherside of the door.

"Ah, put the knife down Rose... er Mrs. Carlyle. It seems you do not need it, in any case. Let us discover the identity of the individual you have maimed singlehandedly." With that, Alistair whipped open the door, grabbed the injured man by the arm, and quickly jerked him into the shack.

"Who are you? What are you doing here? Why were you trying to enter without our knowledge?" Alistair rapped out. The young, well-groomed man, just continued to croon over his hand which he cradled in his uninjured hand.

"Unca Jake, Unca Jake"

Alistair turned around incredulously, in time to see Mary run from the doorway of the other room, where her father leaned unsteadily against the doorjamb, to clasp her arms around the legs of the other injured man.

"Oh, dear," said Fairleigh, in a mournful tone which did not completely hide the tremor of laughter. "Mon cher Jacob, what an unfortunate time to try to be furtive. Dr. Erskine, Mrs. Carlyle, may I introduce Captain Jacob Holt. Dr. Erskine, perhaps you could be of some assistance to my cousin? I promise you, he is on our side."

"Your cousin?!" ejaculated Alistair, as both he and Rosemary led the newly injured man to a chair, while, since learning of the Captain's identity, Rosemary muttered, "Oh no, oh no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Captain Holt, recovering from the worst of the pain, and realizing he had acted a little less than manly, and definitely not soldier-like (Thank God Flora had not been a witness), looked at his cousin and said, "Trust you to be involved, Roly. I should no longer be surprised that any devious plot carried out in this Kingdom would in some way be connected to you! Aaaah!" he managed to bite off the rest of his cry as Alistair manipulated his fingers.

"Why, Jacob, I'm cut to the bone. I am not voluntarily involved in these goings-on, let me assure you. The bastard threatened Mary."

At that, Jacob stiffened, and looked down at the little curly head that was still leaning against his legs. "My apologies, Roly. Would that you had enlisted my aid to deal with the blackguard."

"There was not the time, Jacob. How goes his hand, Doctor?"

"Well, his thumb is not injured, the next two fingers are broken, and the last two badly bruised. You are in luck Captain, as the skin did not break. Mrs. Carlyle, if you would be so good as to get some cold water in which to soak the Captain's hand? Then I will bind them." Rosemary, still pale and upset over injuring the Captain, turned to do his bidding.

"Good thing 'tisn't your sword arm, Jacob. Hand injuries can be the very devil, hurt more than most other injuries." Roly moved slowly forward and sank into the nearest chair.

Casting him a grateful look for his understanding, Jacob asked him about his own injury.

"It was to give credance to the threat to Mary. The Good Dr. Erskine has seen to the cut, so soon I will be as good as new."

The "Good Dr. Erskine" surveyed the three people in the room with him, gave a big sigh, and thought to himself it was a good thing he was a physician when he thought of all the sick and injured people he was encountering without any effort on his part. Aloud he remarked, "The Good Dr. Erskine. Well, I do not think I have ever been called that before."

"Yes," drawled Fairleigh. "It must make a nice change from Archfiend Alistair and Evil Erskine." Seeing Rosemary's frown, the glare that she turned on him, and the deep breath she took prior, he was certain, to scolding him, Fairleigh quickly said, "Now Mrs. Carlyle, I am only jesting. I know what it is to be called by different names."

Jacob Holt, in the middle of snickering, stopped, and with an arrested look on his face, turned and stared at Rosemary. "Mrs. Carlyle? Could you be Mrs. Rosemary Carlyle recently returned from India? Oh, that is cold," as his fingers were put in the bowl of cold water Rosemary had put on the table.

"Why, yes." replied Rosemary.

"We have been looking for you, all over Scotland, and half of England," exclaimed Jacob.

"I did wonder when we would find out what you were doing here," murmured Fairleigh.

At the same time, Rosemary cried, "Looking for me? You have been looking for me? Why?"

"Your... Ayah, is it? Miss Primat? She arrived at Seaforth House, and told Lord and Lady Seaforth about the death of your husband, your arrival in England, and your quest for your sister. May I tell you ma'am, that Lady Seaforth never received a letter from you, and she sent you many letters which we assume you never received. Are we correct?"

"Oh, yes," sniffed Rosemary, leaning against Alistair, who automatically put his arm around her and pulled her a little closer, only to provide comfort, he told his conscience.

"We now believe that the letters were intercepted by Cecily Tilbury." Jacob stopped at a noise from Rosemary.

"Ohh, that snake! Oh, how vile!" exclaimed Rosemary, her tears drying with her anger.

"We have been following your trail, ma'am. First to Edinburgh, then to Midculter, where a formidable little lady told us about your illness at the Fife and Drum. The trail became a little more difficult to follow after that. I gather up to that point you had been travelling in a large party? With a lady with a... a fondness for food?"

Rosemary and Alsiatir, looking at each other in amusemant said, together, "Martha!"

"Yes, well, we followed the wrong trail for a little, and had to backtrack. We also came across Cecily's trail, which helped us pick up your trail again. But we lost your trail yesterday, what with the rain and wind. We have been trying to pick up your trail again, all of us riding in different directions. It is pure chance that I stumbled upon you here."

"By 'all of us,' who do you mean?" inquired Rosemary.

"All the men, ma'am, have been riding out. Some of my men, Lord Seaforth, Theo Havershaw, and myself. The ladies, Lady Seaforth, Miss Flora Havershaw, and Miss Primat are staying at The Missing Key in Newcastle-on-Tyne"

"Anne, you know where Anne is? She is nearby and wants to see me?" With this, Rosemary truly burst into tears, turned, and buried her face in Alistair's chest. Alistair now wrapped both arms around her and held her close, murmuring soothing words.

Regarding this scene with a knowing look, Fairleigh asked, "Why did you find it necessary to try to sneak in here?"

"Well, as this shack was being watched by young Daventry, I knew someone was inside. I did not know if it was a friend or a foe."

"You know we are being watched? And you entered regardless?"

"Not before I knocked him senseless and trussed him up," Jacob replied in an injured tone. "Please, Roly, I am not stupid."

"No Jacob, you are wonderful," Fairleigh replied with a grin,

"Mrs. Carlyle, Dr. Erskine, I believe it is time to remove to Newcastle!"

In an amazingly short time Rosemary and Alistair gathered their meager wraps and made ready to join Jacob Holt. It was unfortunate that none of them had a coach, but Rosemary's shining eyes and smiling mouth made the gentlemen reluctant to delay. Her eagerness to see her sister was almost childlike, and no one had any desire to postpone the reunion any longer than necessary. Jacob left two men guarding Daventry, and loaned their horses to the pair he'd been hunting.

Rosemary took one look and the horse and shook her head. "I can't possibly ride a horse. I haven't ridden for years, and besides I've no habit. Furthermore, this isn't a sidesaddle." She turned saddened eyes to the doctor and Holt. "I'm afraid I can't manage, especially when I've been ill so recently."

Alastair couldn't bear the look of painful disappointment in those eyes, which were once again starting to brim with tears. With a hidden sigh at the irony of fate, he walked toward her. Before she had time to realize what was happening, the good doctor had swung her into his arms and placed her sideways on one of the horses. Swinging up behind her, he wrapped one arm around her waist and held the reins with the other.

"I might as bloody well be in for a sheep as in for a lamb," she heard him mutter to himself. When she tried to twist around to look at him, she felt his arm tighten. "Better to dispense with the squirming if we're to carry this off successfully. Who knows where or when we might find another method of travel. We've done this once, and I reckon we can do it again."

The good doctor turned the horse so he faced Jacob, who had also mounted. "Ready when you are, Captain."

Both then turned to the door where Roly was saying good bye to his daughter. "The soldiers will take you safely to your mother, my pet. Your da has a bit more business to attend to, but will join you and your mother soon. Be good!" The child wrapped her arms around Roly and buried her face in his shoulder. He gave her another good hug, then gently took her arms from her neck. "See that she is arrives safely, mon Capitaine, or I will be hunting you next." He hoisted the girl onto the saddle in front of Jacob, and planted one last kiss on her cheek.

"Will you be all right, Fairleigh?"

"Assuredly, mon Capitaine. When you are gone, we will release the bonds on that villain, so he can lead us to the General when he awakens." Some of the men you've left will follow, and the others will guard my miserable hide. Not that it is necessary, you understand, except for the sake of appearances."

With a salute, Roly stepped back into the doorway, and the travelers set off once again, this time with an armed escort.

Rosemary heard the news that they were rapidly approaching The Missing Key with conflicting emotions. She could hardly wait to see her dear Anne - the years they had been separated loomed darkly in her mind. But, little as she wanted to admit it, being held in such a protected fashion by the handsome doctor sent wonderful shivery feelings throughout her entire body. She no longer cared that people would see her thus with the Archfiend Alistair. Somewhere between the time she'd first entered his home and now her feelings had undergone a most remarkable change. How had he become so dear in such a short time. And how was she to hide those feelings? She gave a start, sitting up straight and pulling away from the doctor just a bit. Where had those thoughts come from? She was through with men! And this certainly was no time to think about going back on that resolution!

"Good," said Alistair. "You've awakened. We've reached the inn yard. In no time at all you will see your sister."

Two gentlemen stood in the vastly over-furnished anteroom, awaiting the arrival of the Prince who had sent them a very urgent message. One paced back and forth, glaring unseeingly at the welter of porcelain objets d'art which crowded little cabinets and littered fussy tables, preventing a person from a satisfactory stride. "Damn it, Diccon, just why are we here?" the handsome but extremely exasperated man growled.

Lord Temple and Cloud, known better to his friends as Diccon, sighed and answered resignedly, "August, if I knew that, I would have told you when you first asked - about eight or nine times ago. I do realize that being without proper nourishment and waiting upon the Prince is doing nothing for your temper, but he is bound to arrive eventually, and then the mystery will be solved."

August snorted and resumed his limited pacing and looked at Diccon, lounging against the wall by a window. His sleeve was carefully pinned up and for once, he looked almost like the titled gentleman that he was. August knew better than to judge him by his clothes, however, and went back to pondering just why the two of them, a rather odd combination of people, were here.

A gaudily uniformed lackey opened the door, and announced in the rolling, sonorous tones of his ilk, "His Highness, Prince Frederick!"

The Prince marched in and as the men bowed, gestured impatiently at them and bade them take seats as he sat in the big almost-throne-like chair in the center of the room. Both Diccon and August had the same thought - 'My God, he's already practicing for when he takes the throne!'

The Prince spoke up quickly in a very harsh tone, "I summoned you two because I know you are working with James Seaforth and the rest in trying to get the ruby, the emerald, and the diamond back before serious trouble arises. Well, my wife has made a confession to me that may make things a bit worse for all of you. You see, the emerald is not really the emerald at all, but a piece of glass fashioned very cleverly to resemble it."

August groaned and said, "You mean my friends are chasing after a worthless piece of glass?"

"Yes. I don't know which is the worse disaster - the emerald not being an emerald, or the Guardians discovering that my wife sold the real emerald to pay a friend's gambling debts."

Diccon chose that moment to ask softly, "Did your wife tell you whose debts she paid?"

"Yes, she did finally, when she realized how much trouble could come of all this. I will deal with that aspect of the situation since the Earl of Daventry is no longer here in England. But the smuggling is getting more blatant. There are whispers about my loyalty to my father and I fear that worse could come. The Guardians have been very clever in entangling my wife and me in this affair, and I am sure that they will make more and more trouble until chaos happens. These men are even more ruthless than the Roundheads of King Charles the First's day and I fancy that both the General and the actual leader see themselves as smarter and more powerful than ever Oliver Cromwell was."

He continued, "I was able to redeem the emerald and it is safe, but if the Guardians discover the stone they have is fake, they will start piecing together the story of what happened, especially my wife's rather awkward involvement and can use that to force me to do as they wish. We are dealing with people who will stop at nothing! This whole affair has grown to monstrous proportions and my actions may be totally misinterpreted!"

Diccon and August looked at the Prince, torn between disdain for the fact that it was his ambition to overset his father that started the whole trouble with the jewels, and the idea that Civil War might again tear England apart. Diccon finally said, "What more do you want us to do? We have many people looking for the jewels, risking their lives to stop the Guardians. It takes time to unravel all the threads and although we have an idea where the spurious emerald might be since we have been keeping watch on Cecily Tilbury and David Daventry, we have not found any proof that either of them has it. It certainly has not appeared in London yet."

The Prince spoke quickly, "I know that, but I just must emphasize again the urgency of the situation and ask that you leave no stone unturned. If you need funds or manpower, you have only to ask."

As this last statement sank into their minds, the men realized how truly upset and worried the Prince was - he of the very tight purse-strings. They signified their assent and bowed themselves out of the room, quickly leaving the handsome house. "This must be a first... Frederick actually promising us unlimited access to his purse!" muttered August as the two men climbed into the carriage waiting for them. "I suppose we will have to go to Seaforth's place up in Northumberland and see what we can do." This was uttered with a moue of distaste for August was not terrible enamored of the countryside at all and really did not wish to leave Gwen or Fiona, especially since Roly had disappeared along with Mary. He just wished that Gwen did not take all the world's problems so to heart. Weeping women were not good companions, and he hated admitting even to himself that Roly's and Mary's disappearance was extremely disquieting, even as he had tried to reassure the women that there was nothing really wrong.

As Rosemary stared at the Inn sign, she turned to Alistair and spoke very quietly, "I don't know if I can ever thank you and your friends for all they have done. I have traveled such a long way to see my sister and now, I can hardly believe it - she is here with my dear Primat." She moved away from his arms and began to try to tidy her hair and clothing, but felt it was useless. After all this time, what did the look of her hair or dress really matter - all that did was seeing her sister again.

They all dismounted and Rosemary almost ran to the Inn door. As she opened it, she saw two women standing in the hallway, looking at some posters hanging on one of the walls. She looked, and then looked again, and abandoning all pretensions of being a lady, screamed, "Primat, oh Primat, at last!"

Primat turned, and she too, was overcome with emotion, crying, " Mem! Oh, you are here!"

The two women flew into each other's arms, tears flowing, and soothing pats were bestowed, and then another voice said, "Rosemary? Is it really you, sister?"

Rosemary stared at the woman who was almost her double and sobbed tremulously, "Anne! I have waited so long to see you again!" as more tears flowed and somehow the three women were locked in an embrace worthy of the Laocoon statue.

Jacob and Alistair stood watching the ladies. Jacob fidgeted uncomfortably - so much emotion and so many tears were making him feel uncomfortable. He was a man of action and simply did not know how to deal with a situation where the carpet was almost awash with tears. He could hear the broken explanations and questions that the women were exchanging; he could feel the intensity of their joy at being reunited, but again, he felt very out of place, and yet, he knew that they had to help forestall the Guardians and their quest for power. He kept shifting from one leg to the other, and then glanced over at Alistair who was also watching the three women with a fascinated look. Jacob may have been a man of action, but even he could see that Alistair was more interested in Rosemary Carlyle than he might admit to himself right now.

"Woof!" and the scrabbling sound of nails on bare boards announced the arrival of the Hound from Hell, who made a beeline for Jacob and proceeded to lavishly wash his face.

"Down, Balder!" commanded the beleaguered gentleman who attempted to move away from the hound's delighted attentions, but was hampered by his bandaged hand. Balder continued to caper around poor Jacob and slobber loving kisses on his face and uniform, until Flora arrived and managed to contain the dog's exuberance at meeting his friend.

She apologized prettily for her animal and then saw Jacob's hand and cried, "Whatever happened to your poor hand, Jac... Captain Holt?"

Poor Jacob almost blushed and managed to mutter, "I had an accident and broke a few fingers!" He was almost tongue-tied; he admired Flora so much but as a rough soldier, knew he was lacking in a number of social graces and certainly was far below her notice.

Flora took his hand in hers and looked carefully at the bandage, murmuring, "Well, it certainly looks as if you have had good care. Did a doctor see this?"

Her words brought Jacob back to earth and he introduced Alistair to Flora. As they stood there exchanging small talk, Rosemary spied them and drew Primat and Anne over to them. All three had tears rolling down their cheeks, but all could see they were tears of joy. Rosemary turned to Anne and Primat and gestured at Alistair, saying, "This is the gentleman who was good enough to rescue me and bring me here safely. Anne, Lady Seaforth, may I present Dr. Alistair Erskyn!"

Anne gasped slightly and said tentatively, "Dr. Alistair Erskyn of Midculter?'

Alistair realized that Anne had probably heard the terrible rumors about him and with a slight bow and a rueful smile answered, "Yes, I am Dr. Alistair Erskyn, cashiered from the army - the 'Archfiend Alistair' or the 'Evil Erskyn' depending on whom you listen to!"

"Bosh! You could be neither if you cared enough to bring my sister to me!"

Alistair was completely taken aback by this statement, uttered quietly and yet with finality. His heart leaped in his breast as he began to see that not everyone judged him harshly. The warmth of the smiles of the women that were directed towards him started a small glow of heat in the region of his heart which had been frozen with shame and self-condemnation - not of what he had done at Culloden, but of what he had allowed himself to become after Culloden. The women were smiling at him and he relaxed and smiled back. He felt the goodwill and love surrounding him and he knew that he had kept his last assignation with a brandy bottle, and he would go out and slay dragons for lovely lady from India who was rapidly changing his life from one of self-disgust and misery to one of joy!

Rosemary sighed and leaned her head against Anne's knee. "I cannot believe this is real," she murmured.

Looking at her sister seated on a low stool in front of the fire, Anne laughed. "I know! I cannot believe that this is my little sister! I remember you were always playing in the courtyard and Mother calling you inside... "

"Warning me that I would ruin my skin. She was right about that, at least."

"Oh no!" Anne protested. "You are dark, to be sure, but your skin is lovely."

Rosemary laughed and settled closer to her sister. "And I remember you saying that to Mother, too!" She felt tired after the excitement of seeing her sister and yawned. "Goodness! How tired I am." Contemplating the fire, she smiled when she recalled her first glimpse of Anne earlier. Only now could Rosemary admit to herself how nervous she had been about seeing Anne again. It was so many years! And Anne was now Lady Seaforth - a Marchioness. But Anne was still Anne, still her loyal champion and accepting her without question. The tight knot in her stomach relaxed. 'How could I have doubted her?' Rosemary wondered at herself.

"Are you too tired, dearest?" Anne queried.

Rosemary twisted around to smile at her sister. "I could not sleep for excitement, Milady. My own sister, a Marchioness!"

"I hope it is not my title that is keeping you awake," Anne said drily.

Rosemary shook her head. "I cannot believe you married a Marquis. I look at you and see only my sister. No offense, dear sister, but I never thought you would marry into the nobility."

"You are not the only one," Anne replied. "But you will understand when you meet James."

Rosemary saw the smile curving Anne's mouth and sighed. "Tell me about James," she prompted.

"Oh, Rosemary, he is so wonderful! Indeed, I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful..."

"But you're going to try, aren't you?" Rosemary teased.

"Oh!" Anne pulled away from Rosemary in mock indignation. "I was going to be merciful and be brief, but now I will tell you in great detail about my marvelous husband. Are you free for the next week? For this will take some time."

Rosemary smiled, but when she spoke, her tone was serious. "You could do that - talk about him and how wonderful he is - about how happy you are - and how much he loves you... " she broke off.

"Rosemary," Anne's tone was gentle, "do you want to tell me about him?"

Rosemary started. "About him? What do you mean?" she asked breathlessly.

"What happened with Robert?"

"Robert... " Unconsciously, Rosemary huddled into a tight ball, wrapping her arms around her knees. "What did Primat tell you?" she asked warily.

"Nothing about Robert." Anne waited patiently.

"Oh, Anne." Rosemary paused. 'I tried so hard,' she thought, 'so hard.'

"How can I tell you? I hardly know myself. He became addicted to opium. Maybe he already was, when we were married... " She gathered her thoughts. "I thought I could help him, but he didn't want that. I thought I could make him see how he was endangering his career - how he couldn't be relied on, couldn't be trusted. He didn't care. I was so angry... " She bit off the phrase and took a deep breath. "I mistook pity for love. I didn't realize that until... " Horrified, Rosemary heard the words come out of her mouth, "until today."

"Today?" Anne's hand which had been stroking her dark hair, stopped momentarily then resumed. As Rosemary remained stubbornly silent, Anne prompted her again. "Did something happen today?"

"Nothing happened. I had time to think about... things." Rosemary's tone was defiant.

Anne frowned slightly. 'Hmm... '