“Will there be fighting?” Annabella asked nervously.
“Nay, the people love Queen Mary, but there will be retribution,” Jean said grimly, “against all who turned traitor against our queen.”
“Darnley must be punished!” Annabella said in a fierce voice.
“I’m certain he will be,” Jean replied.
But Lord Darnley was not censured for his part in David Riccio’s murder, much to Annabella’s fury. Four thousand men had rallied to the queen’s side, including the earls of Crawford, Atholl, Glenkirk, Sutherland, Duin, and, of course, Bothwell. Lords Seton, Livingstone, and Fleming, brothers of three of the queen’s Marys, joined forces with Mary Stuart. Together with their clansmen they descended upon Edinburgh, where the town’s population came forth to cheer their queen’s return.
The very next day the queen’s council met. They outlawed all who had taken part in the murder of the unfortunate Riccio. Chancellor Morton, lords Ruthven and Lindsay, and all of Clan Douglas were outlawed. Those not at the murder itself, but believed or known to have been involved in the plot, including Maitland, were warned to keep from court and the queen’s sight until asked to return. But the queen’s husband, Henry, Lord Darnley, swore before the council that he had no part whatsoever in the murder of David Riccio. He was vindicated of any wrongdoing, and documents to that effect were publicly posted all over Edinburgh clearing his name.
Annabella was outraged. “He most certainly was involved! He was there! He imprisoned the queen so she could not defend Master Riccio. He followed every order that that old devil Ruthven gave him. How can he in good conscience swear he knew nothing of the plot and was not involved? He hated Riccio. Was jealous of him. He even suggested once that the bairn the queen carries might be Riccio’s.”
“And it was partly because of that accusation that he was spared. The bairn to be born is Darnley’s. But until it is born, and Darnley formally accepts it as his own blood, its legitimacy could be questioned. Darnley is a childish coward, and it is unlikely he would make such a claim. But we cannot endanger the rights of Scotland’s future king. Darnley must be placated and declared innocent. Once the queen’s bairn is born it will be a different matter,” Angus answered her.
“The queen hates him now,” Annabella said. “She will not miss him.”
Nay, she would not. Angus Ferguson had seen the way Mary Stuart looked at James Hepburn. He had seen his friend’s hidden desire for the queen warring with his honor. But if Henry, Lord Darnley, the man who styled himself Scotland’sking, were no longer alive, he believed that Bothwell’s scruples could be overcome, despite the fact that he was newly married, and he would pursue the queen. The marriage between James Hepburn and Jean Gordon had been a political match. There was no love between the two, and Angus Ferguson knew that Bothwell was already considering a divorce that Jean’s brother, George Gordon, would not object to as long as his sister came out of the marriage a rich woman.
But he kept this knowledge to himself. Annabella was recovered from the loss of their bairn. April was coming to an end, and it was past time for them to return to Duin.
He sent a messenger to Matthew, who had returned to Duin weeks ago, that they would be coming. Another messenger was sent ahead to see to the accommodations for their trip.
They left Burnside House on a clear and sunny morning, traveling slowly, for Angus did not want his wife’s recovery to relapse.
Ten days later they stopped upon a hill to view the towers of Duin Castle. Beyond it the deep blue sea sparkled in the May sunshine. The hills were dotted with flowers and their flocks of sheep. In the meadows their cattle grazed placidly. Angus Ferguson felt his heart expanding with his pleasure. Reaching out, he took Annabella’s hand in his.
“At last!” she breathed.
The joy on her plain face delighted him. She loved Duin as much as he did. And he loved her as much as he did Duin.
Chapter 8
Aweek after they had settled back into their home, the earl sent Matthew Ferguson across Scotland into the eastern borders to Rath to fetch Mistress Agnes Baird. Matthew carried with him a letter from Annabella explaining the loss of her bairn. The laird and his wife were saddened by the news, and outraged that Darnley had played a part in robbing them of a grandchild.
Agnes was now fifteen, and the prettiest of her sisters. She had dancing eyes, the blue of a summer’s sky, and fluffy brown hair filled with golden highlights. Matthew could not help but notice how trim her figure was, with its dainty waist and generous bosom that had not seemed quite as voluptuous six months ago.Odd, he thought to himself.She was interesting the last time I saw her, but now she is delectable.
It took several days for Agnes’s belongings to be packed for her visit, as she had not been certain when her escort would come. Matthew and his men were content to wait. And then a week after his arrival at Rath they were ready to make the long return journey. Agnes was filled with excitement as she mounted her horse.
Lady Anne and her husband bade their youngest daughter farewell. “Be helpful, and dinna impose too greatly upon yer sister, my child. I know yer visit will delight her.”
“I promise to be good, Mama,” Agnes said dutifully as her father gave her a wink. She was anxious to be off on this adventure she had waited so many months to attain. And she was anxious to be free of Rath. It had been very dull since her three older sisters had wed and gone off with their new husbands. Myrna now lived in the far north. It was very unlikely Agnes would ever see Myrna again. Sorcha lived nearby in much the same style as the Bairds. There was no excitement there. But Annabella lived across Scotland in a castle on the sea. Agnes had never seen the sea, and she was most anxious to do so.
And to be escorted to Duin by a handsome man might prove delightful, she decided.
Matthew Ferguson gave the signal to depart, and the journey to Duin began.
To Matthew’s surprise Agnes Baird turned out to be an excellent and uncomplaining traveler. Whether it was her nature to be so or simply the novelty of the journey, he didn’t know, but he was grateful. Anxious to see her eldest sister, Agnes had even pushed Matthew to travel faster. Liking her spirit of adventure, he had gladly obliged her. They reached Duin a day before he had anticipated that they would.
Annabella and Angus were awaiting them in the courtyard. Agnes jumped down from her horse and ran to her sister. The two siblings hugged.
“Let me look at ye, Aggie,” Annabella said, setting the girl in front of her at arm’s length. “Oh, my! Ye’ve grown taller, and ye finally have breasts! Come into the hall. Ye’ll tell me everything that has happened at Rath in these last months since I saw ye.”
The earl stepped forward and kissed his sister-in-law’s rosy cheeks. “Welcome to Duin, little sister Agnes,” he greeted her.
Agnes curtsied politely. “Oh, thank ye, my lord! And thank ye for sending yer brother to escort me. Matthew proved a delightful traveling companion, even if he is a bit slow a-horse.” Then, linking arms with her sister, she entered the castle.
Matthew Ferguson’s mouth fell open at being called poky a-horse.
