Chapter Three #2
He liked the way her cheeks grew pink after she said the words and looked like she wanted to swallow them.
Maybe, it was not only he who was affected.
He took in her demeanor with closer regard.
Her expression was bright and he could see the intelligence in her eyes and, aye, curiosity there too.
Was it possible the lady was innocent of all knowledge of a plot?
He would expect that person to be cool and unrattled and that was not the air she had about her at all.
“My journey was uneventful and not near as long as yours.”
“Pardon my ignorance, my lord, but from whence do you hail?”
“My home is about twenty miles from here. I understand your father is the Earl of Caithness.”
“Aye, my lord. I am here with my uncle. My parents remain in the north.”
She was free enough with that information.
“And I understand you are to attend the queen and you have not yet met.”
“I confess, I have not, my lord.”
“Then we shall remedy that right now,” he said and placed his hand over hers guiding her toward the king and queen who had just entered the hall near the head table.
William smiled at the monarchs as they approached and could sense the tension rolling from Lady Agnes in waves. He instinctively squeezed her hand then regretted the inappropriate gesture of familiarity though it was almost involuntary.
“Your Majesties, may I introduce Lady Agnes Sinclair, daughter of the Earl of Caithness. Lady Agnes, may I present you to Their Graces King James and Queen Margaret.”
William bowed and Lady Agnes curtseyed at the same time.
The queen moved forward and reached out her hands to Lady Agnes as she stood.
“My Lady Agnes, you are more beautiful than we were told. I am pleased to make your acquaintance and expect to hear all about your life in the north and introduce you to as many courtesans as would please you. I have had few true friends since my time here and do understand that all this hustle and bustle is not for everyone. But I do hope it is to your liking.”
“Aye, Your Majesty,” Agnes said in a voice that was a little shaky. “I have never seen such grandeur.”
With that comment the king stood a little taller. “The lady has good taste, it would seem. Now while the ladies become acquainted, Montrose, I have something I would discuss with you before the meal is served.”
Lady Agnes looked at him then and offered a small smile. Was that a thank you? He was not quite sure. It was impossible to know a person’s mind upon meeting them, but his instinct was that she was a genuinely good person. He hoped his instincts would prove truth.
Once off to the side the king asked, “Well? What is your first impression?”
What it was he would not fully reveal to the king. That he wanted to smell her hair and kiss those full lips of hers and explore the delights she hid under her gown. Nay, he would not share that with the king.
“She appears reserved, but there is an active mind behind those eyes. It is far too early to tell if she is innocent or an adept player in this whatever it is scheme of her uncle’s.”
“And have you met him yet?”
“I have not, but I suspect will through the course of the evening once the meal begins and he comes to find his niece.”
“A logical assessment. Right, then let us enjoy our meal and let the game unfold before us.”
William was seated to the right of the king and Lady Agnes seated to the queen’s left. That meant they could not converse during the course of the meal, but he would stay close to her once the crowd mingled later on.
Before long, the tables were topped with more food than William had ever seen anywhere, but for at this king’s gatherings.
A suckling pig was placed before the king who appeared to enjoy watching one of the cooks sharpen his knife to carve the meat for his inspection and indicating to whom it would be offered.
It was no surprise all the best cuts went first to his wife and then to Lady Agnes.
After that he offered William and then filled his own trencher.
Steaming pots of stew and platters of bread and cheese and fruits were brought out one by one. William focused on enjoying the hospitality, but being ever aware of Lady Agnes and of the king.
William scanned the crowd for the lady’s uncle and eventually found him near the end on the far side opposite.
He stared hard at the head table and William couldn’t make out if he even touched his food.
There was a marked difference between his demeanor and that of his niece, giving William even more pause as to whether or not she was part of this.
“Do you see how fixated he is?” the king asked.
“Aye, I do.”
“Quite interested in what is happening up here, I think.”
“Your assessment mirrors my own, Your Majesty. Have you spoken with Fin and Archie? What are their thoughts?”
“I spoke with Fin. He believes she is a creature of perfection as he put it,” the king said and chuckled. “She has bewitched our Fin, I think.”
She’d bewitched more than Fin by William’s estimation. More than a few gentlemen glanced in her direction repeatedly only to glance away again.
William and the king enjoyed the remainder of the meal in silence quietly observing those around them. Once the meal ended, the king offered his welcome to his guests and invited them to explore the market in the inner courtyard.
“We have vendors from near and as far away as France. I do believe the ladies will be particularly interested in the delicate fabrics and fragrances,” he told his guests.
Once the king and queen stood and their chairs were pulled back, the crowd did the same and began making their way out of the stuffy hall and toward the market.
William waited for the king and queen to link arms and move to the side entrance then offered his arm to Lady Agnes. Her eyes were bright and her expression soft as if a weight had been lifted from her.
“Did you enjoy your meal, Lady Agnes?”
“Aye, I did, my lord. ’Twas the grandest feast I have ever attended.”
Her comment made William smile. She appeared full of wonder.
“Would you do me the honor of exploring the market with me?”
She stopped and looked around for a moment. “I really should find my uncle as I am sure he would wish to accompany me.”
“That he would,” the uncle said from behind her.
Lady Agnes jumped at his voice which was a peculiar reaction if they were in collaboration willingly.
“Uncle John, allow me to introduce Lord William Graham, the Earl of Montrose. My lord, this is my uncle John Sinclair.”
The man did not smile and when he bowed as he should, it was so quick, if William had blinked he’d have missed it. He didn’t need to be a scholar to understand there was a dislike held by this man that he was not trying hard to conceal. Interesting.