As their footsteps faded, Lindsey felt asudden wave of jealousy.How unkind the fates that had made her awoman.How wonderful it would be to experience the freedom men tookfor granted.How grand to walk into a tavern and order a tankard ofale.What bliss to listen to people who had seen the queen ridethrough their streets like an ordinary citizen.
As she crossed the room a young servant roseup from the chaise rubbing her sleepy eyes.Startled, Lindsey drewback.
“I would help you undress, my lady,” thetired maidservant said.
“Thank you.”
As the girl began to unbutton her gown, themerest hint of a plan began to form in Lindsey’s mind.Never againwould she have this opportunity to visit Edinburgh.For the rest ofher life she would live a sheltered existence in the Highlands,with only her memories of this happy time.Why should she not, justthis once, taste the freedom she so desired?
“Have you brothers?”Lindsey asked.
“Aye, my lady.Two.”The wench made a littleface.“Both younger than I.Mayhap you saw my brother Cedric.He isthe groom here at the inn.My little brother, Edmund, helps muckthe stalls.”
“Cedric.”Lindsey recalled the young lad whohad taken their horses.He was only slightly taller than she.“Could you bring me a pair of his breeches and a shirt?”
“My lady?”The servant paused, her hand onthe buttons, and stared at Lindsey as if she had gone mad.
“I would pay you well.”Lindsey dug into herpocket and produced a gold sovereign.
The coin was enough to feed the servant’sfamily for a year.The lass considered for only a moment.“Aye, mylady.When do you need these clothes?”
“Immediately.”
The girl blinked.“I will see to it.”
The maid hurried from the room and returned ashort time later with the items Lindsey had requested.In additionto breeches and a shirt, she had a coarse tunic and a hat likethose worn by workers along the wharf.
Slipping into the clothes, Lindsey realizedthe value of the tunic.Hanging loosely over her shirt, it managedto hide most of her womanly curves.She struggled to pull her hairinto a knot.Even with the servant’s help, it was a difficult taskto conceal so much hair.But with the hood of the tunic pulled upand the hat pulled low on her face, she was satisfied with theresults.
“Would you guess my gender?”she asked theservant.“Nay, my lady.I would not have believed one as beautifulas you could look like a common street lad.”
Hearing the door to Jamie’s room open,Lindsey touched a finger to her lips.
Turning, she pressed the gold sovereign intothe servant’s hand.“You must not breathe a word of this.”
“Aye, my lady.”The girl’s fingers curledaround the treasure.“Your secret is safe with me.”
Lindsey listened until Jamie’s footstepsfaded.Then, opening her door a crack, she peered both ways beforestarting out.
When she reached the lower floor she couldhear the sound of raucous laughter from the dining alcove.Thefront door closed behind Jamie.Slipping quickly past the roomwhere the others still drank, she hurried out the front door andslipped into the shadows.It was an easy matter to follow the tallfigure as he strode purposefully down the nearly desertedstreet.
When Jamie paused at the door to a tavernLindsey crouched in the bushes, her heart pounding.A moment laterhe stepped inside.
Lindsey approached the door of the tavern,then paused with her hand on the door.She had never before beeninside such a place.She had no idea what to expect.Sudden feargripped her at the boldness of her deed.She had taken no time tothink this through.
What would happen to her if she were foundout?Could a woman go to Tolbooth Prison for such an impertinentact?And even if she were not imprisoned, what would happen ifJamie saw through her disguise?He would be furious.Worse, hewould drag her back to her father and brothers and force her toadmit her deceit.She would be humiliated.
An inner voice warned her to return to theinn before her little charade was discovered.
As she stood there pondering her fate, a handcame up behind her and shoved the door open.
“Come on, lad.Tarry not when there’s ale tobe had,” said a voice directly behind her.
As the door opened she was pressed into asmoky room that reeked of ale and unwashed bodies.Clusters of mensat at scarred wooden tables, talking and laughing amongthemselves.More men gathered in a corner, where one in their partywas speaking in loud tones.
“...bastard.He told his manservant, whotold the groom, who passed it on to the scullery maid.”
There was a chorus of shockedexclamations.
