“ ‘Twas a love like no other,” Murray said inquick agreement.
Lindsey signaled to a servant, who filled theother goblets.
“When I meet the woman of my dreams, mywenching days will be over as well,” Donald said defiantly.
His words were greeted with hoots of laughterfrom his sister and brothers.
“The woman of your dreams.”Neal, theyoungest, turned to the brother closest in age to him, whosesun-kissed hair and fair features caused many a village lass toturn and stare.“Tell me, Robbie.Has Donald been reading yourpoetry?”
“ ‘Twould seem so.Tell us about this dreamvision,” Robbie said, winking at his sister as she took the seatbeside him.
“It wouldn’t do to fill your head.You’d bestkeep your thoughts on those pretty words you write, Rob.And leavethe wenches to me.”
Lindsey joined in the laughter.“Describethis woman to me, Donald.Mayhap I will find her for you among thevillage wenches.”
“I need no help from my sister to find myfuture wife.”Donald lifted his goblet, ignoring the jeers oflaughter from the others.
“Will she have big—eyes, like the widowLennox?”
Even Donald found himself laughing at that.But one look at his father’s face wiped the smile from his lips.Usually the old man was the first to join in the laughter andteasing.But this day he was in a somber mood.
“What is it, Father?What troubles you thismorrow?”
‘We speak of foolishness while there arerumors of turmoil at Holyrood.”
“Turmoil.”At the mention of Holyrood, thequeen’s residence in Edinburgh, Murray’s head came up sharply.“What have you heard?”
“Rumors.Gossip.No one seems to knowanything.But ’tis whispered that the queen and her husband are farfrom happy.”
“Is there not soon to be a child?”Lindseyasked.
“Aye.”
“Then what can be wrong?They are so newlywed.”
“There are those who say the queen’s foolishyoung husband, Lord Darnley, would make our Donald look like a merejester among the women at court.”He glanced around the table athis children.“If such whispers have reached us here in theHighlands, do you not think Queen Mary herself has heard therumors?And is surely disheartened by them?”
Neal, the youngest, broke the silence.“Maryis queen.Can she not command Darnley to love only her?”
Everyone burst into peals of laughter.Lindsey touched a hand to his cheek, but he pulled away sharply,embarrassed to be petted like a child.He was, after all, ten andsix years, and taller than two of his brothers.Only Donald wastaller, taller even than their father.
“Why does that amuse all of you?”
“Because,” Lindsey said patiently, “even thequeen cannot command someone to love her.Love cannot be orderedabout.Love just happens, without reason.”
“And how would you know about such things?”Murray asked.As the eldest, he felt a keen sense of responsibilitytoward his sister.She was, after all, still a maiden.
“Mayhap she has been reading your poetry,Robbie,” Neal called out with a laugh.
“What care I about love?”Lindsey snatched upher goblet, suddenly stung by their teasing.“ ’Twould only meanhaving another man underfoot.”
“That would not be the worst thing to happento you,” Donald said with a sly laugh.“It is time you gave somethought to taking a husband and filling this old house withchildren.”
“I thought I would save that privilege foryou, Donald.Since there are so many willing maidens hoping tocatch your eye.”
“If the truth be told, there are far too manyto make a choice.You, on the other hand, have had so littleexperience with the lads, any sturdy bumpkin should do nicely.Perhaps you would like us to pick him out for you.”
“I shall do my own choosing, thank you.”Lindsey pushed away from the table.“If you will excuse me, Father,I will see to the servants preparing our meal.”
