“Neal has always loved tending the horses,”Lindsey said.
“Ah.I noticed your skill during our journeyhere.Yours is a natural gift with animals.”
At his unexpected compliment, Neal flushedwith pleasure.
“I know Lord Menzies very well,” Jamiecontinued.“He takes great pride in his duties.It would be hispleasure to show you around the stables, since you share his loveof horses.Perhaps he would even let you handle the queen’ssteed.”
“I could not,” Neal protested quickly.“Butit would be enough just to see Her Majesty’s horse.”
As Jamie continued to eat, he felt a growingkinship with this gentle lad.Neal had handled himself well on thejourney, displaying skill with both sword and steed.
When they had finished the main courses, theservants brought in trays of puddings, brandied tarts and heavy,moist confections.
“I have died and gone to heaven,” Murraysaid, polishing off a fourth sweet.“Tell me, Jamie, will the foodbe even better in the queen’s own castle?”
“Some of Scotland’s finest cooks reside inHolyroodhouse,” Jamie said with a smile.“If you crave sweets, youwill be more than satisfied.”
“I cannot wait.”Murray emptied his goblet.“When I return to the Highlands I will be as plump as amonarch.”
“Beware,” Donald cautioned, “lest someHighland wench mistake you for a roasted pig and carve you up forher feast.”
“That will be your fate, my lad, not mine.”Murray and the others shared a laugh.
One serving wench circled the table, fillinggoblets and tankards as quickly as they were emptied.
“More ale, my lady?”the servant asked.
“Nay.I have had sufficient.”
“More ale here,” Ian demandedimperiously.
Lindsey watched as Ian held up his goblet.Already his words were slurred and his eyes seemed unable to focus.Beside him, her brother Murray followed suit.The two men murmuredtogether and laughed uproariously at each other’s jokes.
Lindsey swallowed her frown of disapproval.It had indeed been a hard journey.They deserved to relax.Besides,they would fall into their beds after dinner, and by morning wouldwish they had not celebrated quite so fervently.Especially if thequeen took notice of their discomfort.
Lindsey noted that Jamie ate and drank verylittle.Throughout most of the meal he kept his silence unless oneof her brothers questioned him directly.Most of the conversationhad been dominated by Ian, who regaled them with tales of journeysto exotic places.From his boasts, it would seem that he hadtraveled the length and breadth of Scotland.Throughout theirjourney, he had managed to keep her brothers spellbound with histales.Lately, however, the lads seemed far less impressed by hisboastful words.
When Douglas pushed away from the table theothers followed.
“Will you stay and lift a tankard or two withus, Father?”Murray called from across the room.
“Nay.”Douglas gave a wry smile.“I am morethan grateful for a chance to sleep in a bed this night.I intendto be well rested before I meet with our queen.”
He noticed that the lads were far too excitedto go directly to their beds.
Douglas offered his arm to his daughter andthey followed Jamie from the room.They climbed the stairs and thetwo men paused outside Lindsey’s door.She kissed her father’scheek and bid an awkward good-night to the man whose mere presencemade her pulse quicken.Jamie lifted her hand and brushed it withhis lips.A quick, intense jolt burned a trail of fire along herarm and she prayed that her father and Jamie did not see hertrembling response.
“Rest well, Lindsey,” her father murmured.“For tomorrow you shall have your fondest wish.An introduction tothe queen.”
“Aye, Father.”With a dreamy smile sheentered her room.
As she leaned against the closed door sheheard her father’s voice.
“You retire early, Jamie.”
Jamie’s voice was low, conspiratorial.“Nay.I will change to less gentlemanly attire, and repair to a nearbytavern where I might discern the mood of the people.Perhaps I willhear something useful.”
Lindsey heard the note of regret in herfather’s tone.“Ah.If I were a younger lad I would be right therebeside you.”
