“That is a fine idea, Elizabeth,” Rosamund replied, knowing very well what her daughter was up to, but pleased at her ability to defend herself in such a skilled manner. She would need such instincts and abilities at court if she was to succeed.
Jamie, Tavis, and Edmund Hepburn snickered as Baen MacColl grinned openly at Alexander Hepburn’s discomfort. The lad would learn from this experience how better to pick his battles, and when to hold his tongue. He was foolish to believe his older sister could not fight back. She was a braw lassie, was Elizabeth Meredith.
“When would I ever go to King Jamie’s court?” Alexander protested. “Da! Tell my mother I do not need to know how to dance such fancy steps. I’ll not mince and prance like some weak fop.”
“Nay, lad,” his father answered. “I think you should learn such dancing. You do not know where fate will take you one day. And when you have learned well you will teach your brothers, for one of them might need to go to court one day to make his fortune.” The laird of Claven’s Carn was almost laughing as he spoke, and he gave his stepdaughter a broad wink of approval for her cleverness.
The musicians entered the hall in Maybel’s company. She settled them by the fire and told them to play until they were instructed to cease. Two held reed pipes, one a drum, and another cymbals. It was a most countrified grouping, but it was the best the manor could provide. The quartet began their music, and Lord Cambridge led his cousin Rosamund from the high board. They danced beautifully together, and Rosamund was amazed to find she remembered the steps of the more intricate court dances after all these years. Soon her face was flushed from her endeavors, and she was laughing. After a time Lord Cambridge signaled to the musicians to stop.
“Now it is your turn to learn, Elizabeth. Alexander, partner your mother,” he called to them.
Reluctantly brother and sister made their way from the board, and Lord Cambridge signed to the players to begin anew. To her surprise Elizabeth discovered that mimicking the steps she had watched her mother dance was easy. Soon, in spite of herself, she was dancing with her uncle as if she had been doing it since early childhood. Her half brother, however, stumbled over his feet; tripped their mother, almost causing her to fall; and finally returned to his place, swearing under his breath that dancing such dances was a complete and utter waste of a man’s time. It did not help that his younger brothers all took to the floor, dancing with each other in a mockery of his efforts. Soon the entire hall was laughing uproariously at their antics.
“With your permission, my lord,” Baen MacColl said, asking Rosamund to dance.
“Aye,” the laird replied, smiling as the Highlander led his wife to the floor.
“You dance?” Rosamund said, surprised.
“My stepmother taught me the basics,” he replied. “I may be a bit clumsy with these more intricate steps, but I am of a mind to try if you are of a mind to be patient.”
Rosamund nodded. “I admire your spirit of adventure, Baen MacColl,” she told him, leading him as they danced.
After a while Lord Cambridge cried out, “Let us exchange partners, my dears, and we shall see how well Elizabeth has learned dancing with a less skilled partner, for she will surely have a few at court.” And he handed the girl off to Baen MacColl, taking Rosamund’s hand in his once again. “You were always the most divine dancer, dear girl,” he said. “I remember how well you did at court those many years back.”
“Surely not that many years?” she teased.
“Aye, I fear it was,” he replied with a smile. “I am getting old, dear girl, but I will admit to you that I have never been happier in my life. I think, however, that this may be my last visit to King Henry. Once we have obtained a suitable mate for Elizabeth I will be content to retire from the social scene and remain home.”
“I do not believe that for a moment,” Rosamund told him. “You cannot resist going to London at least every few years for a new wardrobe.”
“Alas, dear girl, I fear I may, for my years are now beginning to tell on me, and my girth is widening so that my figure is not as fashionable as it might be,” he answered her.
Baen MacColl smiled, listening to them banter back and forth. The warmth and love this family felt for one another was obviously genuine. He was almost envious.
“You are not paying attention to the steps,” Elizabeth’s voice broke into his thoughts. “What are you thinking about, Baen?”
“How much you all love one another,” he answered her candidly.
“Aye, we do,” Elizabeth agreed with a small smile.
“Which is why you will be obedient to your mother and your uncle’s wishes,” he noted softly.
She nodded.
“Perhaps you will find a husband at King Henry’s court,” he said, and saying it he felt both anger and regret.
“I doubt it, but they will not be satisfied until I am perceived to have made an effort,” Elizabeth responded as softly. “The problem is that none of my sisters’ offspring are suitable as an heir for me, and Mama will not give Friarsgate to one of her Scots sons. She is most adamant that Friarsgate remain an English holding, and as you know, here in the borders the lines between England and Scotland are often blurred and can change.”
“Do you not want love?” he asked her. “Or children of your own?”
“I have never really considered it,” Elizabeth answered candidly. “I was born at Friarsgate, the youngest of my father’s surviving children. No one paid a great deal of attention to me as I grew up. Mama was called back to court. Then she visited her friend Queen Margaret at the Scots court. Then she fell in love and went away with her lover for several months. They were to wed, but he fell ill, and that was the end of it. Then it was back to King Henry’s court with Philippa, who so impressed the queen that she was invited back as a maid of honor when she reached the age of twelve. Then Mama married Logan, who had long pursued her. And always there was Friarsgate to be watched over. I got into the habit of pretending it was my holding when Mama was away, or involved with my sisters, or Logan and my brothers.” She laughed.
“And then at last my opportunity came, for Philippa, who was Mama’s heiress, would not have Friarsgate. But I did want it, and I said so.
“If I marry, Baen, my husband will want to take my authority. I am not of a mind to give it. How could a stranger understand Friarsgate? How could another know what I know? It is not just the sheep; it is the cloth trade as well. A husband would want me to have bairns and keep the house. I have Maybel to oversee all that. It holds no interest for me. Friarsgate would be ruined in a short time. I should rather remain unwed than see all that I love destroyed.”
“Perhaps you will find someone who can love Friarsgate as you do, and learn from you,” he said. “Did not your father come from court? And I have heard it said that he loved Friarsgate dearly.”
