Chapter Eight #2
Finding them in the great hall, he was delighted when his youngest sister, Cora, ran to him. He picked her up and raised her high above his head before swinging her around, immediately regretting it as the hall spun for a moment, and he then placed her on the stone floor.
“We did not expect you so soon, brother,” his eldest sister Jean said. “Alain has told me of your accident. Truly, you look like a dung heap.”
Kissing her on the cheek, he said, “You are always my biggest flatterer, sister. I thank you for keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground.”
“Come and join us. Have you eaten?”
“I have, but wanted to ask you about the evening meal. Have you planned it yet?”
“I have ordered mackerel. Your ghillie should be leaving here shortly.”
“Call him back. Has the cook any wild boar? Rabbit pies?”
“Well, someone has an appetite. I will go see what I can do, and when I return, you will tell me all about your time in the king’s fancy palace.”
“I want to know about the fancy palace too!” Cora said as she jumped up and down.
“Aye, little one, I will tell you all about it. Did you know the king owns a lion?”
“What is a lion?”
“Don’t you say another word until I’ve returned from the kitchen,” Jean said and rushed off.
Putting his hands up in defeat, he said, “All right, I won’t say another word.”
Alexander took his seat at the head of the table and kissed the top of her head when Cora crawled into his lap.
She had always been possessive of him and particularly in the three years since their father’s death.
Now at eight summers, she would soon lose interest in her older brother and find other interests.
For now, he would accept her attention. He watched his younger brothers fight with their wooden swords while Thomas, at nineteen, was trying to prove he would make a good master and instructed them in their swordplay.
At nineteen, at least he was not making trouble in which he excelled.
He and Thomas had had their moments since their father’s passing.
Thomas, who had always been headstrong, would prove difficult when it came to being patient and appropriately planning for their futures.
He was more interested in the drink and games of chance he found in the local taverns than settling down.
He now had the responsibility of helping to raise siblings, particularly after their mother died, followed by their father five years later.
Little Cora was his biggest worry. She had never known her mother and barely knew her father before he too left this world.
It was no wonder she clung to him and Jean so much.
But before long, Jean would be married off as well.
Within a year, he was determined to find her a suitable match, though he would miss her quick wit and impeccable ability to run a household.
“It is all sorted,” she said upon her return. “The cook had already put a boar on a spit last eve for he’d been planning for that upon your return, but he said it will be done for this evening if you wish.”
Alexander did wish. He wanted nothing more than to enjoy the peace and quiet of his home with his siblings by his side all safe and sound.
“Now will you tell us all about the palace?” Cora asked from his lap.
“Aye, little one. What do you wish to learn about first?”
She looked at him with wide eyes, for how could she know what a palace looked like, or those things contained within?
“Very well, let me tell you about his animals.”
“And can you tell us about the beautiful lords and ladies?”
“Aye, sweet one, I shall.”
Alexander spent the next hour describing in as much detail as he could muster between their endless questions.
“Did you dance, brother?” Jean asked.
“Did you? Did you?” Cora asked.
“Aye, I danced with two ladies.”
“And were they beautiful?” Cora asked.
“Aye, they were beautiful.” One whose face would be burned into his mind for all time, he was certain.
“Why do you look sad?” Cora asked.
“I am not sad. I will miss the palace,” he said, which was only a small lie.
“I wish I could see the palace and the king and queen,” Cora said.
“Well, maybe you can.”
“What does that mean?” Jean asked. “We cannot all travel to Linlithgow Palace.”
“Nay, we cannot, but the king wishes to visit us here at Inverary before the summer is out. What do you say to that?”
Jean’s eyes widened for a few moments before a broad grin spread across her face. “The king wishes to visit us here?”
“Aye, very much so, and he wishes to bring his new wife who is just a little younger than you, sister. I know from my visit that the queen enjoys the company of other ladies close to her age.” He prayed none of them would probe on that subject.
“It would appear I have much planning to do,” she said. “We will have to move you out of the master’s chambers.”
“Aye, that is satisfactory. Those chambers are too much for me, in any case.”
“I will happily take up residence in them,” Thomas said.
“Nay, you will not,” Alexander said, shaking his head. The lad knew no boundaries.
“If I meet a queen, will that make me a princess?” Cora asked.
“Nay, my sweet. You are Lady Cora and that you shall remain until you marry a lord when you are much older.”
“How does one prepare for a visit from a royal couple?” Jean asked with what appeared a question more to herself than anyone present.
“I believe one consults with her brother, the cook, our steward, the ghillies, and house staff to formulate a plan. This king enjoys grand affairs with no expense spared. Maybe we can show him what a quieter, more peaceful existence looks like.”
“But will I get to stay up late and dance?”
“You will have a dance and a new gown, I promise,” he said.
“When do you want this to happen?” Jean asked.
“I will send word for them to join us in three weeks.”
That meant he had a lot to do in a short time, but at least it would keep his mind off a particular lady.