“The regent is James Stewart, Earl of Moray,” Donal Stewart informed her. “’Tis he who will act in his nephew’s best interests.”
“Of course he will,” Annabella responded. “How fortunate the little king is to hae him. The wee lad is wi’out mam or da, sister or brother. I hae a son and a daughter, sir.”
Then she gave him a smile. “If my simple explanations have relieved any concerns the regent might hae about Duin, I am glad. Ye will, of course, remain the night wi’ us, sir?”
“Gladly!” Donal Stewart told her. “We sleep rough when we travel in the service of the Earl of Moray. A hot meal and a good bed will be a welcome luxury, my lady.”
Annabella arose from her chair. “I will go and tell the cook,” she said with a curtsy to him.
“The Earl of Duin has obviously been blessed in his mate,” Donal Stewart noted. “She would appear to be a wise and prudent woman.”
“Aye,” Matthew Ferguson said, keeping his voice impartial. He was astounded by Annabella’s behavior. She had lied, to some extent, but Moray’s messenger had never suspected her at all, for her manner appeared to be open and frank. Annabella appeared to be a woman with absolutely nothing to hide. Nothing at all. He would have believed her himself had he not known better. At the high board later, he watched as Annabella drew from Donal Stewart the latest news.
The lords were taking sides, for while shocked by Mary Stuart’s behavior, many had disagreed with the harsh treatment that had been meted out to the queen. They saw her half brother’s actions for exactly what they were: a grab for power. The earls and the lairds were choosing sides. Those who supported Mary were called the Queen’s Men, and those who supported the regent Moray, who now spoke for his infant nephew, James, were known as the King’s Men.
“I can certainly understand how difficult it has been for your master,” Annabella sympathized. “Born a king’s first bairn, yet nae a king himself. And so loyal to his sister, the queen.” She shook her head. “More wine, Donal Stewart? I would nae hae ye say that the hospitality at Duin was lacking.”
“Certainly nae lacking, my lady,” Donal Stewart said. His belly was full with well-cooked meat, fresh bread, and good cheese. “The English queen is a clever woman,” he told them. “She is calling together a conference to arbitrate between the warring parties. ’Tis to begin in October in York.”
“Can she do that?” Annabella wondered aloud.
“My master says that in times past, the first English Edward arbitrated a disputed succession when the little queen known as the Maid of Norway died,” Donal Stewart answered. “My master says ’tis bold of the English queen, but a fair solution.”
“I think that the English queen is very clever,” Annabella remarked, “for she can surely nae find for either side wi’out incurring the wrath of the other. An infant king of Scotland will keep Scotland minding its own affairs, and nae plaguing England.”
“How wise ye are, my lady,” Donal Stewart said admiringly.
Annabella smiled. “Ye flatter me, sir,” she told him. Then she rose from the high board. “If ye will excuse me,” she said, “I must attend to my bairns now. The steward will show ye yer place for the night. Yer men are welcome to sleep in one of the barns.” She curtsied, and was quickly gone.
He watched her go. “A fine woman, for all her lack of beauty. Yer earl is a fortunate man.”
“Aye, my brother treasures her greatly,” Matthew said.
“Yer brother?”
“Like ye, I was born on the other side of the blanket,” Matthew told him. “But our da valued all his bairns.”
“My father is the same way,” Donal Stewart responded, nodding. “Blood is the strongest tie. He never denied me, gave me the right to his name, and I am proud to serve him in whatever capacity I can.”
“They say ye Stewarts are warmhearted and hot-blooded,” Matthew said.
Donal Stewart chuckled. “’Tis true,” he admitted with a grin.
“Would ye like a bedmate tonight?” Matthew asked. “The bed space is more than big enough for two.”
“Aye, ’tis most hospitable of ye,” Donal Stewart said, well pleased. The little maidservant they sent was round, with sweet breath, and was very willing to accommodate his needs. He slept soundly after their romp. And he had learned where the earl was, which his master would find interesting.
In the morning the Countess of Duin was in the hall early to see that her guest and his men were well fed before sending them back to the Earl of Moray. Donal Stewart noted the two healthy bairns with their nursemaids crawling on clothes spread near one of the hearths. To his surprise he saw they were twins, a lad and a little lass. A trencher of bread was placed in front of him, and quickly filled with hot oat stirabout. A bowl of hard-cooked eggs and a platter with several rashers of bacon along with cheese and a fresh cottage loaf appeared.
“Ale, wine, or cider?” his hostess asked him.
“Ale,” he said, spooning the hot cereal into his mouth. It had bits of dried apple in it, and the heavy cream she poured onto it made it taste wonderful. “Where is yer husband, madam?” he asked her as he ate.
“In France,” she answered him without hesitation.
“Ye dinna tell me that last night,” he said.
“But, sir, ye never asked me,” Annabella replied.
