Lindsey knew then that these were three ofthe queen’s maidservants, all of whom were named Mary.And thewoman at the tavern must have been the fourth, also named Mary.
Lindsey studied them, recalling the storiesshe had learned at her mother’s knee.Mary Fleming, Mary Seton,Mary Beaton and Mary Livingston had been the queen’s best friendssince childhood.The five were inseparable.
“You must let us accompany you, Majesty.”
“Nay.”
At their chorus of cries the queen added,“This I must do alone.”
“How will you survive without us?”
There was a long, drawn-out sigh before thequeen responded, “I know not.But survive I must.”
“But why Lochleven?Surely if the peopleknew, they would rise up and slay those who would threaten you withharm.”
“Aye.The people love me.But their mindshave been clouded by Knox.And he has been fed lies by my enemies.For now, I must depend upon my own wiles.”The queen’s tonemirrored her sadness.“But know that one day soon they will hearthe truth, and they will take up arms against those who spread liesagainst me.”
“I pray that day is soon,” one of the womenresponded.“Aye.”The queen kissed her friends, and they fell intoher arms with sobs and fresh tears.
“I will see that your steed is ready,” Jamiesaid, leaving them alone for a final goodbye.“Then I will returnto escort you to the courtyard, Majesty.”
Lindsey watched as he strode from the room.She wanted desperately to go after him and explain what she haddone.But there were too many in the room now.She was terrified ofbeing discovered by the queen’s staff.And so she continued tokneel in the shadows and watch and listen.
The women around the queen were openlyweeping.“You will have neither maid nor trunk, Majesty.”
“I will have my life, and my Faith.And mywits about me.”
“Would that I had your courage.”
“Hush,” the queen whispered.“We must all bebrave.”She turned when a tall, handsome man entered the room.Toher maids she said, “Leave me now.I wish to be alone with myhusband.”
The women embraced, then hurried from theroom, leaving the queen to face the man.
“What madness are you planning now,madame?”
“Yours was the madness.My thoughts are quiteclear.I ride to a place of safety.You may stay or go with me.Thedecision is yours.”
“You know I cannot stay without you.”
“Why?Would your loyal men decide that youare no longer of any use to them, and do to you what they did topoor Riccio?”
“You cannot believe that I had anything to dowith that.”
“I know only this.I leave now.If I leavealone, I will return to rule alone.”
With a hiss of anger the man turned on hisheel and stormed from the room, leaving the queen standing beforethe fire with head bowed.
Lindsey knew this was her only chance toescape with her dignity intact.Scrambling to her feet she rushedto the door, then halted in mid-stride at the sound of the queen’svoice.
“Ah.So my steed awaits me.Come here,lad.”
On trembling legs Lindsey turned andapproached the queen.She was a small woman, no taller thanLindsey.Up close, the tears that still dampened her lashes wereclearly visible.
“I will need that cloak,” Mary saidimperiously, pointing to an elegant, ermine-lined cloak draped overa chaise.
Lindsey lifted the cloak over the queen’sshoulders.Though the monarch was heavy with child, the garmentmasked her size.
The queen turned and studied the room, as ifmemorizing every detail.Her gaze fell on a portrait hanging overthe mantel.It was of a beautiful woman with proud, haughtyfeatures.As Lindsey studied the portrait, she saw a resemblance tothe young queen.
