Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Daylight was fading
when Lindsey awoke. Evening shadows stretched across the rolling
lawns that sloped to the loch.
Clad in only the sheer sleeping gown Sabina
had provided, she lit a taper and stood for long moments at the
balcony window, gauging the distance across the icy loch.
Her family was so far away.
She missed them. She had not believed their
absence would be so painful. How many times had she yearned to be
free of their teasing, their bickering? Yet here in this silent
castle she felt more alone than ever before.
Had Donald met a dozen females by now, who
had captivated him with their charms? Was Robbie composing pretty
poems about Scotland’s most famous city? Had Murray awoken with a
throbbing headache, and vowed, as he had so often before, that he
would follow his father’s example and lead a more moderate life?
And Neal. Dear Neal. Was he telling Cedric, the young groom, how to
care for their horses? And grieving because he had missed the
chance to see the queen’s mount?
In her mind’s eye she could see her father’s
face, etched with worry over her unexplained absence. How many
times must he be made to suffer because of her? All her life, it
seemed, she had caused him pain. It grieved her to be the source of
so much concern.
She would make amends. The plan had been
forming in her mind since her arrival. The timing was perfect.
Setting the candle on a table she hurried across the room and
picked up the sword that had been hanging over the fireplace and
the bundle of clothing she had discarded that morning. If the
disguise had worked once, it would work again.
She would leave Lochleven under cover of
darkness and arrive in Edinburgh by dawn. She had seen Justin
MacLeod ferrying the horses across the loch. She knew where they
were stabled. She would borrow Jamie’s mount for the journey. He
would understand, as would the queen. She would leave a missive
professing her regret at what she must do. But her father’s heart
could not be broken again.
At a knock she hurriedly tossed the breeches
and tunic beneath her bed. Draping a shawl over her shoulders she
walked to the door.
“I saw the light of your candle, my lady,”
Jamie said, “and knew you were awake.”
He studied the way she looked, her slender
body visible beneath the gauzy gown, her long hair tumbling down
her back in a riot of tangles, and felt desire stir within him.
She seemed breathless. Two bright spots of
color flamed on her cheeks. “You are not welcome in my chambers, my
lord.”
She made a move to close the door but he
stopped her, holding the door when she would slam it shut. “Our
queen seeks your company below stairs.”
She hesitated. A royal command could not be
denied. But these hours were fleeting. Swallowing her frown, she
nodded. “Then I will be happy to join her. It will take but a few
minutes to prepare myself.”
As she closed the door to her chambers, Jamie
walked to the fireplace and stood, deep in thought. The lass was up
to something. He recognized the fire in those green eyes. He would
have to keep a careful watch on her. It would be like Lindsey to
attempt to escape Lochleven and blunder around the countryside,
searching for Edinburgh.
Jamie began to pace. He had been below stairs
a short time ago. It was obvious that Lord Darnley had been
drinking most of the day. Unless he fell into a drunken stupor, he
would be in an ugly mood this night. Jamie frowned. He would have
to devise ways to keep Mary in plain view, where he could protect
her.
He had to protect Mary from her husband, and
Lindsey from herself. No small task. Mayhap he could persuade
Lindsey to talk about her family. The queen would be entertained by
the colorful descriptions of Lindsey’s father and brothers, for
theirs was a lively group. It could help pass the time. It would
also keep Lindsey in the same room with the queen, where Jamie
could watch both of them. Somehow, he must devise ways to bring
these two women closer together. Then his job of watching both of
them would be easier.
When the door to Lindsey’s chambers opened,
she was dressed much like she had been that morning. The blue gown
molded her trim figure. Her hair was pinned back with combs. Her
eyes sparkled now with fresh vitality.
As they descended the wide stairs, Jamie
offered his arm and she placed her hand upon his sleeve. Thoughts
of the kiss they had shared played through his mind, and he glanced
at the woman beside him. Though her lashes were demurely lowered,
he felt the heat of her touch and cursed himself for the rush of
feelings that he could not dispel.
When they entered the withdrawing room,
Lindsey curtsied before the queen, who was seated in a comfortable
chair in front of a roaring fire. Lord Darnley stood to one side,
frowning into his tankard.
“Ah, Lindsey. You are rested?”
“Aye, Majesty. And you? I trust you
slept?”
“I do not sleep as well as I once did, but I
am rested. The babe moves within me,” the queen said, touching a
hand to her swollen stomach, “whenever I try to rest.”
“Is it painful?” Lindsey cast a worried
glance at her monarch.
Mary smiled gently. “Nay. It is, in fact, a
most pleasant sensation.” She arched a brow as she studied the
young woman. “Do you know nothing about childbirth?”
“Very little, Majesty. As daughter of the
laird, I have assisted in a few birthings in the village. But my
own mother died when I was a child, and none of my brothers has
taken a wife.”
“Then I shall have to share this adventure
with you. Would you like that, Lindsey?”
For the first time since they had met, the
queen truly smiled, and Lindsey studied her in the glow of the
candlelight. She was a lovely woman at twenty-three. Mary’s hair
was more red than blond. Her almond eyes sparkled with humor, and
she had a well-formed mouth and chin. Up close her skin was as fine
as porcelain.
Lindsey’s smile matched the queen’s. “I would
like that very much, Majesty.”
“Come.” Mary indicated the chair beside hers.
“Join me in a cup of tea before we sup.”
As Lindsey took her seat the queen poured
from a silver tea server.
Lindsey glanced appreciatively around the
room. Trophies of the hunt adorned the walls. Talented artists had
recreated on canvas scenes of Sir William as he hunted deer, boar
and bird. The floors were carpeted with hides. Though this was
obviously a man’s sanctuary, it was softened by the addition of a
few chairs covered with plush pelts and a marble table displaying a
collection of lovely woodland creatures crafted of silver and
gold.
“Will you take tea with us, Darnley?” the
queen asked. Her husband barely looked up. “Nay. I much prefer my
ale.”
“Jamie?”
Jamie smiled. “I fear I would prefer ale as
well, Majesty.”
“Ah, well.” The queen saw the way Lindsey’s
gaze trailed through the window to the loch, dark now with evening
shadows. “I see you have still not resigned yourself to being here
with us.”
Lindsey blushed. “Forgive me, Majesty. It is
just that I worry about my father.”
“As, I am certain he worries about you. But
it is no more than any father worries about his daughter.”
“Nay, Majesty. It is much more. You see, my
mother died when I was very young. And my father promised her that
he would keep me close.”
“You are no longer a child.”
“But in my father’s eyes I will always be
that hurt child... .”
Lindsey’s voice trailed off as she realized
what she had just said. And though the queen seemed not to notice,
Jamie turned to study her very carefully. She felt his gaze fully
upon her and looked away.
What had she almost said? Jamie mused. There
was much about herself she was loath to reveal. He suspected it had
something to do with the limp that was noticeable only when she
became overtired. Whatever it was, he would discover it in time. He
would watch and listen. And one day, he vowed, he would know all
there was to know about this obstinate little female.
“Dinner is ready, Majesty,” Fergus announced
in a clear voice.
Mary stood and waited until Lord Darnley
approached. Placing her hand on his arm she led the way to the
refectory.
“My lady?” Jamie offered his arm.
Lindsey kept her gaze averted as she placed
her hand on Jamie’s sleeve and moved along at his side. “You are
good for Mary,” he whispered.
“In what way, my lord?”
“She can talk with you about womanly things.
These are not things the queen could share with me, or even with
her husband. But with you she is at ease.”
He bent close and his breath feathered the
hair at her temple, sending a flurry of tremors along her spine.
“Stay close to her, my lady, and be her friend.”
At his words Lindsey felt a pang of guilt. If
he but knew what she planned. How unfair it was that she should
have to choose between her father and her queen. By the time she
took her place at the table, the spots of color on Lindsey’s cheeks
had deepened.
As before, Fergus entered the room carrying a
domed silver serving tray. When Mistress Macnab lifted the lid, the
roast was presented for the queen’s pleasure.
“Ah, Mistress Macnab. Mutton. It appears to
be roasted to perfection. You may serve us.”
“Thank you, Majesty.”
The roast was carved and served, along with
bread still warm from the oven.
Sabina filled their goblets with ale, then
placed the decanter in front of Lord Darnley’s plate and hastily
retreated.
“It is cold in here, Fergus,” the queen said
petulantly. Immediately a lap robe was brought for her comfort, and
Fergus added another log to the already blazing fire.
“I miss my Maries,” the queen said with a
sigh. “It is lonely here without their laughter.”
“You have me,” Darnley sneered.
“Aye. So I have.”
“There was a time,” Darnley said, taking a
long draft of ale, “when that would have been more than enough to
please you.”
Mary sensed that he was goading her into an
argument. Turning to Jamie she said, “Speak to me of Brice