Part 1 (1/2)
THE ROYAL HUNTER.
By Donna Kauffman.
Acknowledgements.
I need to thank several people who were instrumental in helping me with this book. First, Kara Gesare, my editor, whose support for my doing things ”a bit different” is unflagging and invaluable. Also to my mom, Jean Hobday, for the same unflagging support and for reading under a tight deadline. To Karen Solem for coming in at a difficult time and jumping right in with her help. Thanks to Jill Shalvis for being there for me every day and reading... and reading. Thanks again to the reliable creative mind of Michael Gretu for providing the sound track that I work by.
To Mitch.e.l.l, Spencer, and Brandon, thank you for respecting summer work hours so well and for being proud of what your mom does. Lastly and always to my husband Mark, who defines the meaning of love and support. The quest continues...
Prologue.
She must be found and brought to me.”
Queen Catriona was dying. No one would have guessed from her imperious
tone. Even propped up in bed, her skin as pale as the white satin robe b.u.t.toned tightly at her neck, she radiated royalty.
Archer wasn't concerned with royal heirs or vacated thrones. He was a
businessman. ”It has been more than a quarter century since the healer's disappearance. Many have tried to find her. All have failed.” In fact, they'd stopped looking long before the king's brutal murder three years earlier, when the queen was only twenty-two. Long before she lay dying with the successor to the Welsh throne of Llanfair slumbering peacefully in her belly.
”Finding her is my only hope. You have your orders.”
He wasn't much for commands, nor did he hold out much hope of success in this case. But if she was willing to pay him to try and save her life, who was he to say no? Devin Archer, savior. He supposed if he really thought about it, he had saved a number of people. But not for anything as ephemeral and unrewarding as honor. Honor didn't pay the bills or put fuel in the tank. He'd been called many things; renegade, rogue, pirate, spy. All accurate, if lacking
imagination. Professional savior. He rather liked that one. He'd have to make sure that one got around. Might be good for business.
”I realize you could give a good G.o.dd.a.m.n whether I live or die,” the queen
said abruptly.
”I beg your pardon?”
”You beg nothing of me. Which is precisely why I selected you. I understand
why you have no dedication or allegiance to a country that has never given
you anything without asking your sacrifice first.”
Archer frowned. He'd never denied his Australian heritage, but every other detail of his life, including his nomadic childhood as a slave and other less than savory details, had been deeply buried. Notoriety only went so far in business and he preferred to keep his past private. Anyone looking for information about one Devin Archer would only discover details from the time he'd arrived in the troubled kingdom of Llanfair. The queen's knowledge did not amuse him. But he respected anyone with better contacts than his own.
”And yet you wish to hire me nonetheless?”
”I believe you understand the machinations at hand better than most. You've likely worked for any number of those involved.”
Archer's estimation of the young queen rose several notches. ”We're not mates
or anything, if that's what you're suggesting. As for my clientele...” He shrugged. ”I'm not a political sort. Tends to limit a man's business opportunities.”
”Exactly my point. A mercenary is loyal only to the one who pays him.””I prefer merchant,” he said quietly, returning her direct gaze. ”I just follow the law of supply and demand. They demand, I supply.” Thank G.o.d for free enterprise. ”As for my allegiance, I have found that relying only on myself means I am less often disappointed.”
The queen nodded, as if she understood the sentiment. And given her
circ.u.mstances, it was likely that she did. ”Succeed and you will be rewarded
beyond your wildest imagination.”
Archer smiled. ”I have a fairly avid imagination.”
She smiled as well. ”I have a fairly deep purse.”
”You'll need it if I succeed.”
The smile vanished and the implacable face of a ruler once again emerged.