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monarchy, though Ian Mackenzie swore otherwise.
    Carl looked around him. The tavern had filled to near capacity. A number of couples were eyeing his booth with the empty bench seat across from him. He had a twinge of guilt, but was anxious to get back to his reading.
    Before the marriage could take place, however, in 1685 Jonas was summoned to the Court of Charles II, who was in desperate need of a male heir, having fathered a dozen children, illegitimately. The Queen looked fondly upon the young lad so, as a test of his family’s loyalty and to help cement the Mackenzie alliance, he was asked to spend the summer with her and to become her lover. He was to bring about a male heir, under the cloak of secrecy. A high Catholic, the superstitious Portuguese-bred Queen secretly believed enemies of her husband’s had cursed her womb.
    Heartbroken, at first Jonas refused, but when even his betrothed urged him to do his part for his family and her clan, he relented. He came to live at the court, ostensibly to advise the King on farming techniques.
    “Excuse me. Can we join you?” A fresh-faced coed leaned toward him, her arm entwined with a young man’s. He was laughing, conversing with a couple at an adjoining table, oblivious to what his companion was trying to negotiate.
    “Yes,” Carl said despite the fact that he felt like his private life had been intruded upon. When she looked down at what he was reading, he covered it with his right hand. The young woman pulled her companion down next to her, across the table from Carl and his book.
    “I’m Robert. Thanks.” The kid held his hand out as he snuggled close to the girl.
    Carl shook his hand and then pulled the book into his chest a bit, checking the surrounding area to make sure no one else could read over his shoulder. The couple began to make out furiously. Even though Carl was trying to find his place, he couldn’t help but notice the young man’s hand slipping under her shirt. When he looked at her face, she was smiling at him, over the top of her friend’s head as he kissed her neck and upper chest.
    It reminded Carl of how long it had been since he’d made love to a woman. He quickly found his place and soon forgot about the room and the randy young couple.
    In short order, the Queen’s pregnancy became known. Anxious to return to his home in York and the arms of his young betrothed, he was disappointed to learn the Queen had no intention of releasing him. In fact, she believed he was good luck to her, and rewarded loyalty by allowing childless ladies in her court to lay with him in exchange for favors. He threatened to escape many times, but was warned that he held the fortunes, if not the lives, of his father and his soon to be father-in-law, in the palm of his hand.
    The scandal of his real purpose at the Court broke just as the King died, leaving the country in disarray. As a male heir had not yet been born, an uprising ensued. Jonas refused to join the cause. Before he could get home, armies slaughtered all of the Mackenzies, including Anne. Jonas’ father and his two brothers were hanged in the public square as traitors. Jonas fled to the Caribbean.
    Though he was rightful heir to the family’s interests in the Virgin Islands, he was thwarted by numerous slave uprisings. A huge infusion of capital was needed to help stabilize the disrupted operations. Hindered by a lack of funds, the plantations were taken over by several managers and agents who had been previously loyal to the elder Starling.
    Carl heard her moan. She was straddling him, and it appeared they were doing it right there. In spite of himself, Carl blushed. He no longer felt it was his table.
    “Excuse me,” he whispered as he stood and left them to their lovemaking. He didn’t even get a look from them as he parted his way through the crowd and into the night air. It frustrated him he had to be so close to so many people.
    Three doors down was a much quieter place, a coffee house with