“Sir William Douglas, clan chief of this branch of the Douglases. He’s been sent by the king to reason with your laird,” Maggie said.
“There is no reasoning with Ian Douglas,” Cicely replied tartly. “The man is impossible! He insists he loves me, and that he will wed me.”
“Well,” Maggie said, “you must have a husband, and you couldn’t seem to make up your mind about the Gordon of Fairlea. Do you like Ian?”
“I don’t dislike him,” Cicely evaded.
Maggie laughed softly. “I can see his charm is beginning to touch you,” she said. “Has he made any overtures towards you?”
“He kisses me,” Cicely replied.
“And do you like it?” Maggie probed.
“Aye, I do,” Cicely admitted. “I shouldn’t! But I do. He doesn’t force himself on me. Suddenly he is there, and kissing me. One kiss. No more, but oh, Blessed Mother, how sweet that kiss is. ’Tis nothing at all like Andrew Gordon. His kisses were quite nice, but after the first time I never tingled. With this wretched border lord I tingle from the top of my head to the soles of my feet each time he kisses me. And I shouldn’t!”
“Why not?” Maggie asked innocently.
“Because I shouldn’t!” Cicely said vehemently. “He’s practically no better than a bandit, Maggie.”
“I’ve known Ian Douglas ever since I came into the border from my Highlands and married my Andrew Grey,” Maggie said. “He is respected, and well thought of by his fellow border lords, Cicely.”
“He isn’t a suitable husband for me at all,” Cicely said.
“Why not?” Maggie inquired.
“He’s a ruffian,” Cicely declared.
“Most Scotsmen are.” Maggie chuckled.
“His family has no stature,” Cicely said.
“The Douglases are very loyal to the king. If they were not he would not have entrusted Sir William to come and reason with his kinsman in this matter,” Maggie pointed out. “The Gordons, on the other hand, cannot always be trusted. They live in the eastern Highlands, and their loyalties are often torn between Scotland’s kings and the great Highland lords who rule more like kings from their lands.”
“The king, I think, wants me to marry Andrew Gordon,” Cicely said.
“Do you love him?”
“Nay, I don’t, but is not love the exception to the rule when one marries? The queen is the best friend I have ever had. I was sent away when I was barely seven, because even though I did not live in my father’s house, I lived on his estates. My stepmother, Luciana, hated me before she even met me. She was very jealous of any attention my father lavished upon me. She accused me of trying to kill my little brothers. My father knew then that if I were to be kept safe I would have to be sent away. I entered Queen Johanna’s house at the same time Lady Joan Beaufort did. We became friends immediately.
“Jo did not have to bring me to Scotland with her. I might have been left behind. But my stepmother bore my father a fourth child, this time a girl. My father begged the Beauforts to see that I went with the new Queen Joan, for Luciana began anew to fret about my small presence in their life. Oh, she had been happy enough when I used my tiny influence to get my little half brothers places at court. Fortunately King James agreed I might go with them. While it is my decision whom I marry, my father asked the king to see that I married well. I think, like the king, he would want me to wed where I might be of use to the Stewarts.” Cicely sighed. “But I will admit, Maggie, that after these few days Ian Douglas is growing on me. ThecannyDouglas does have his charms.”
“If your father gave you the right to choose your husband, then you must choose the man who will make you happiest, Cicely. But if youwould be practical, be warned that the Gordons will do what is best for the Gordons, and not necessarily Scotland,” Maggie advised the young Englishwoman. “The Douglases stand firmly for King James.”
“But one of the king’s best friends is a Gordon,” Cicely said. “The laird of Loch Brae, who was in England with him for a time when they were boys.”
A shadow crossed Maggie’s pretty face. “If the laird of Loch Brae knew the secret I keep for the king they would no longer be friends,” she said, low. Then, seeing the curiosity in Cicely’s eyes, she held up her hand. “Nay, do not ask, for I will never divulge it. Just trust me when I tell you that you are better off with Ian Douglas than you would be with your Gordon suitor.” She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. She felt a little better now that she was warm and dry. But she still did not believe she would reach Ben Duff in time to birth her child there. “I believe my bairn will be born here,” she told Cicely.
“We can help you and keep you safe,” Cicely promised.
“My lady.” Sine was by her side.
“See that a bedchamber is made ready for Lady Grey. She believes it is possible her child will be born here shortly. Ask Mab what is needed, and see that it is upstairs for us.”
“At once, my lady,” Sine said, and she curtsied.
Orva now came to be with them. “How do you feel now, my lady?” she asked Maggie solicitously. “Your color is coming back.”
“I’m better, but the child will be born here,” Maggie said. “I can go no farther.”
