“Would you wish your Aunt Willow on your Uncle Robin?” he teased her. “What if they both needed to be in town at the same time?”
She thought a moment, then laughed. “Oh, very well, Jemmie, but I’m closing the house, and if someone needs to use it, let them open it, and pay the cost. I’m only leaving the gatekeeper and his wife, to look after it, and see the park is maintained. Now, hurry, and dress, my lord!”
“I’m hungry again,” he complained. “I will go nowhere, madame, until I have been fed again.”
“Toramalli, find some food for Lord Leslie,” Jasmine ordered; and when it came, she ate with every bit as good an appetite as he did.
Their carriage drew up before the door of Greenwood House, and the earl of Glenkirk and Jasmine rode the distance to Whitehall. They were dressed richly but conservatively. The earl in dark green silk breeches, cream and gold showing through the slashes on his doublet. Jasmine in a gown of apple green and gold brocade with a creamy wide lace collar; a necklace of topaz and gold about her throat.
The king’s face lit up with pleasure as they entered the hall. “Jemmie!” he called to them. “Yer back safe, I see.”
The earl of Glenkirk bowed low to the king as Jasmine curtsied.
“I am, my liege, and happy to tell you that Scotland eagerly awaits a visit from James Stuart,” James Leslie said. “Now, Your Majesty, I come to take my leave of you, and Her Majesty. I have a wedding to attend in several days, and must return to Queen’s Malvern before the old countess of Lundy sends out a search party for me.”
The king nodded. “Lady Lindley hae made quite clear to us that her choice of a husband is ye, Jemmie, and nae other. Is that nae so, madame?” His amber eyes were twinkling.
“Yes, my liege,” Jasmine said meekly.
“Hah!” The king barked. “Ye were nae so mild-mannered, and humble just a day or more back when ye said it, and brokepuir Piers St.Denis’s heart, madame. Now I must find him a prize to equal ye, and I dinna know what I hae to offer the puir laddie.”
“It is true,” the earl of Glenkirk interposed before Jasmine might say anything to get herself in trouble, “that my bride is a jewel beyond price; nonethelessanythingYour Majesty would choose for the marquis of Hartsfield would surely more than equal Jasmine’s hand, coming as it will from Your Majesty.”
The faintest smile touched the king’s lips at James Leslie’s words. He knew when he was being cajoled, and yet the earl’s words, so publicly spoken, would force his darling Piers to accept whatever James Stuart offered him to assuage his disappointment over Jasmine. He nodded at the earl, murmuring, “Nicely done, Jemmie. I’ll miss ye.” Then he continued for the consumption of his court. “We will be sorry to see ye both go, but we understand that ye must leave us.”
“We are both Your Majesty’s loyal servants, and will come should you need us,” the earl of Glenkirk promised the king.
“Aye, aye!” The king arose. “Come wi me, Jemmie Leslie. I want a more detailed report from ye in private.” He looked at Jasmine. “‘Twill gie ye time, madame, to say yer good-byes to yer friends, eh?”
Jasmine curtsied again. “Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said.
“I will return for you when I am done,” the earl told Jasmine. “Try and stay out of trouble, darling Jasmine, while I am with His Majesty, eh?” He blew her a kiss with his fingertips and followed after the king, who was making his way from the hall.
The queen had overheard, and laughed softly. “He knows you well, doesn’t he, my dear? I think you should have a very interesting marriage if you can survive each other.”
“I shall miss Your Majesty,” she said quietly. “You are the only friend I have at court to say good-bye to, madame.”
“What? Am I not your friend?” George Villiers demanded, pretending to be greatly aggrieved. He stood in the space between both the king’s throne, and the queen’s throne.
Now it was Jasmine’s turn to laugh. “Oh, Steenie, of course you are my friend, too. I would have enjoyed watching you climb to great heights, but if I promise sometimes to write to you, will you write me back and tell me of all your triumphs?” She gave him her hand. “Once, I am told, my Uncle Conn was called the handsomest man at court. I believe, sir, that you now possess his mantle. He was not, however, as circumspect as I suspect you are. The queen had to marry him off to keep him out of trouble.”
George Villiers took the elegant hand offered him, noting as he did the beautiful rings upon her fingers, each worth, he would wager, a king’s ransom. He kissed the slender hand, then said, “You may trust that I am your friend, madame, and if you are kind enough to take the time to write to me, I shall most certainly correspond with you, telling you all the lovely gossip you will miss by running off to live in the country. Will you really spend winters in Scotland?”
She nodded. “Aye.”
“Do you like rain and mist?” he wondered aloud.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because, I am told, there is much mist in Scotland, and it does rain a great deal. Is that not so, Majesty?” He turned to the queen.
Queen Anne nodded. “You get used to it,” she said.
“What a charming scene,” a voice next to them suddenly sneered.
Jasmine, recognizing the marquis of Hartsfield, did not bother to turn about. Her eyes, however, filled with anger.
“Good day to you, Your Majesty,” Piers St.Denis said, pointedly ignoring George Villiers.
