Elizabeth frowned. “For what?”
“A few missions here and there,” Randolph said vaguely with a dismissive wave of his hand. “What is your impression of the man? Can he be counted on? He is of low birth, is he not?”
“His father is the village smithy, but his mother was the daughter of a knight. Thom is one of the most noble men I know, and there is no one I would count on more. The king is fortunate to have him in his army.”
She didn’t realize how she’d bristled or how forcefully she’d spoken until Randolph apologized. “I’m sorry, I meant no offense. I was merely curious, that is all.” He smiled. “MacGowan is fortunate to have such a valiant defender on his side. I know your brother didn’t like him, so I just wondered.”
“He and Jamie used to be as close as brothers.”
Clearly, she’d surprised him. “They were?”
She nodded. “They had a falling-out years ago.”
“Over what?”
Me. “I don’t know,” she lied, hoping he didn’t pursue the matter.
Fortunately, her cousin interceded. “I wonder if the king will chance some music tonight, my lord?”
Randolph’s gaze sharpened as it fell on Izzie. “I doubt my uncle will press his luck with the abbot tonight.”
Izzie’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “How disappointing. I was hoping you’d sing for us. Lady Mary said you have the voice of a troubadour. Truly, my lord, is there no end to your accomplishments?”
There wasn’t even a hint of sarcasm in her voice, but Randolph knew she was laughing at him—and didn’t like it. He drew as tight as a bow, his mouth pressing in a flat white line.
Aye, he definitely didn’t like it—and her cousin, she suspected, even less.
Elizabeth shot Izzie a chastising glare for prodding him, but she just smiled with pretty, wide-eyed innocence.
Randolph’s gaze narrowed even more on that smile, and for once Elizabeth thought he might lose his composure, but he stared at Izzie for a long pause before turning back to her. “Do you sing, my lady?”
“Horribly. I play the lute a bit, but it’s Izzie who is the gifted musician in the family. She sings like an angel.”
He didn’t hide his skepticism, turning back to Izzie with a brow so sharply arched it almost came to a point. “Is that so?” he drawled. “Lady Isabel hides her accomplishments well.”
The statement could be taken two ways, but they all knew exactly how it was intended. Isabel stiffened at the slight, which Elizabeth hastily tried to smooth over. “While we were in Paris, she sang for King Phillip himself, and Monsieur de Vitry permitted her to sing one of his chansons.”
“Really?” If he was impressed that the man considered the greatest musician of his time had considered a woman worthy of one of his songs, he did not show it.
Elizabeth nodded, while Izzie’s cheeks burned. “She made the nuns weep when we took alms to St. Mary’s Wynd Hospital yesterday and she joined them in a hymn. They asked her to come again tomorrow.” Suddenly she had an idea. “Perhaps you would care to join us after morning prayers to hear for yourself?”
Women were forbidden from singing in church, as they were thought to be unclean and inherently wicked, although nuns were permitted to sing as part of their duties in a convent.
“I will look forward to it,” he said, with only polite enthusiasm.
As soon as she could, Elizabeth excused herself, pleading a headache. When it looked like her cousin would attempt to go with her, Elizabeth stopped her. “Nay, they will be bringing out the confections soon, and you must stay and hear the rest of the earl’s story. He was telling me all about the taking of Perth Castle, and you must tell me every detail when you get back to the chamber.”
Izzie gave her a look that promised retribution, and Randolph looked as if his wine had just turned to vinegar.
Elizabeth smiled back sweetly at them both and tried not to laugh. Clearly they’d gotten off on the wrong foot, but she was going to make them like each other whether they wanted it or not.
At last, Elizabeth was able to make her escape. She just hoped she wasn’t too late.
16
HAVE CARE,” MACKAYhad warned him as they stood in the entry of the refectory. “Your thoughts are not difficult to read, and I don’t think Bruce would be too pleased if you put a dirk in his nephew’s gut.”
Thom looked away from the dais and schooled the anger from his features, furious that his thoughts had been so transparent. He sure as hell wasn’t going to impress the Guard if he didn’t learn to control himself. Hiding his reaction wasn’t usually a problem. At least it hadn’t been until he’d run into Elizabeth Douglas again. Fortunately, MacKay was the only one who had noticed.
