A Courtship in the Highlands (Thistle and Rose #2)

Chapter One

Offering her best curtsey, Agnes Sinclar dared peeking upward to observe the countenance of the man her father had raved about for a fortnight.

She’d not seen her uncle John in many years before this visit, but according to her father, his knowledge of the king’s court and its goings on was unmatched among their acquaintances.

Agnes found that odd, considering her father was Earl of Caithness and her uncle held no such title.

In any case, Agnes was fascinated to learn of King James’s court, especially considering her father had secured a place for her among the queen’s ladies in waiting while she summered at Stirling Castle.

To sit with royalty morn and eve was something of which she’d only ever dreamed.

Aye, she was an earl’s daughter, but theirs was a more casual existence by most noble standards.

They held few major gatherings throughout the year, mostly only focusing on the interests of the townsfolk.

Beltane, Samhain, and Winter Solstice feasts and festivals were planned for months and showed little variety from year to year.

The things she’d heard about King James’s court were almost unimaginable.

Agnes couldn’t wait to see more of the world.

Her father had insisted on her arriving at Stirling Castle in a carriage, though he conceded she could ride her horse for a portion of the journey.

She would thank him for it was how he had put it.

Her mother had insisted she ride in the carriage the whole way, but in the end and after a bit of a row, they agreed she would ride for a portion of the day and then take respite in the carriage.

“You have grown much since I last saw you, niece.”

“That is quite interesting, uncle, for I recall you being much taller,” she said with a grin.

His brows drew together for a moment before saying, “Aye, and it appears you have your mother’s cheek about you too. That will not serve you well in the queen’s court, Lady Agnes.”

At eighteen summers, Agnes did not feel she needed scolding from him or anyone else. Still, he apparently knew all there was to know about the court so she would bite her tongue for now.

Wasn’t the whole point of her going to court to find a husband? Would they all expect her to be submissive? Considering her parents’ marriage could be considered quite spirited, this was a new concept.

“Now, now, John, you need not frighten her. It is quite an honor to be part of the queen’s entourage and since Agnes and the queen are only a year apart in age, I am certain they will get along well.”

“I am not frightened, father. I respect Uncle John’s knowledge of court and look forward to learning more on our journey to Stirling.”

“Very well, daughter, off you go with your mother to finish packing. John and I have many things to discuss.”

Agnes glanced once more at her uncle before leaving the great hall. His entire demeanor was not what she expected. He had the look of a man who trusted no one with his secrets, and she was certain he had a few under lock and key.

“How well do you know my uncle?” she asked her mother when they were out of earshot.

“As well as any woman can know her husband’s siblings when they live so far away.

I’ve never known him as a soft and warm sort of man if that’s what you’re asking.

But you will be perfectly safe with him.

Now, never you mind your uncle. We must ensure you have enough gowns packed, and I will see to it you have several more made once you arrive at Stirling.

The seamstresses there are not as good as in Edinburgh, but they will do quite nicely.

There will be many balls and festivals soon, so I expect there will be a waiting list.”

“Oh wait, I forgot to tell you, father mentioned yesterday that Uncle had already secured a seamstress for me who can start on my gowns as soon as I arrive.”

Her mother stopped fussing with Agnes’s chests and stood tall. Her chin lifted a little as she said, “Well it appears he’s thought of everything now, hasn’t he?”

“It appears he has,” she said. “And you are certain this is a good path for me, I mean aside from me finally seeing something other than the Sinclair Bay and the sea sprites who frolic when the moon is full.”

Her mother smiled softly. “Aye, my sweet wee lassie. I would not be letting ye go otherwise.”

Agnes had not been a wee lassie for a long time but still loved it when her mother addressed her so.

“And does my uncle have your and father’s blessing should I find a suitable match?”

“He does not have full blessing, nay. And if he tells you so he is not being truthful. Your father and I have asked him to be your guardian and attendant at all social functions. He may offer guidance and advice on some of the people you will meet, but it is not up to him to have a final say on whom you will marry.”

Her mother placed her hands on her hips, and it was clear to Agnes she’d struck a chord.

“Maybe this business is folly from the start. Your father and I should be presenting you at court, not your uncle. I should go speak with your father.”

“Nay, Mother, that is not necessary. I am certain all will be well. I just want to be sure of your intentions for me. You have been more than patient with me over the past two years with rejection after rejection from me. I promise you, I will make you proud and honor the Sinclair name.”

“I don’t doubt your integrity for a moment,” she said and sighed. “I don’t know if it’s ever easy for a parent to watch their child leave their home, even if for just a few weeks. With your older brothers gone and in their own homes, I now only have little Hugh left to dote on.”

Agnes couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

At twelve summers, Hugh had always been everyone’s bairn and he made no attempt to prove everyone wrong at every turn.

As a wee lad, Agnes used to lift him up to the window enclosure so he could peek out through the narrow opening to watch the sea crashing against the rocks dozens of feet below.

She’d tell him stories about Bregdi, the great sea creature that would sneak up on poor sailors in the night, whisking them away to never be heard from again.

She’d miss those times, but this was her time to discover who she was to be in the world and where this adventure would take her. She could not predict what was to come, but she couldn’t wait to find out.

Her mother left her to finish selecting the items she wanted to take with her. Many of her favorite gowns lay strewn across her bed. Yards of finely stitched velvet and brocade in other colors, but most in her favorite pale blue, like her eyes, her mother always said.

She turned away from the gowns and gazed out at the sea from her window. What did this journey have in store for her? Would she find a suitable husband? What would he be like? Did she even know what she wanted?

One thing was for certain: She would not be happy with a man with whom she could not openly speak.

Her parents had enough respect for one another that they spoke their opinions fully and frequently, even if they differed.

Nay, she wanted a partner with whom she could converse and disagree and who would respect her interest in culture and art and music.

She wanted to experience the world and its glorious offerings.

*

The image of Stirling Castle rising high above the plains below was a sight that would never tire William Graham.

He’d visited this castle often with his father since his own home, Mugdock Castle was only twenty odd miles away.

The setting sun at his back cast a long shadow of his horse and himself as they trotted through Stirling toward the castle.

In the coming days this place would buzz with excitement as the king commenced his summer season of festivities.

Long known to possess a penchant for the extravagant, the king tried to outdo himself every year and in the four years since William had been permitted to attend the balls, he could attest to the king’s efforts outshining anything else he’d experienced.

Since his father’s passing a few years back, he’d accepted all invitations from the king.

But he had not for the most part allowed himself to be swept up, as others had, with the pressure of his title and family responsibilities.

This season would be different. He’d finally secured a marriage for his sister to one Connor Munroe over the winter, not that there was anything wrong with his sister besides being rather selective.

He would never blame her or force her into any arrangement to which she opposed, but he was relieved nonetheless and with only two much younger siblings to have wed at some point, these next few weeks would be a reprieve for him.

His sister’s husband was an unremarkable man, though he did come with lands of his own gifted to him from his father.

She appeared pleased and that was all he could have hoped for.

William had hoped to convince his mother to join him and bring some joy back into her life as well. He’d nearly convinced her, but in the end, she chose to find comfort in her favorite spot in the garden to have her daily conversations with her husband’s stone marker.

Dismounting, he passed the reins to a stable hand and was met by the king’s chamberlain who greeted him with a cheeky grin that was commonplace for this man.

“Fin! I am unsure what has afforded me the lofty honor of your escort, but I am pleased it is so.”

“Aye, my lord. His Majesty offered me the choice of those I would assist upon arrival, and I was selective in doing so.”

“Then the honor is doubly mine. Even my father was only waited on by a gentleman usher,” he said and placed his thumb and finger on his chin, narrowing his eyes. “Unless you both are up to something.”