“Aye, my lady.Rumors will abound, especiallyin a city like Edinburgh, where rumors and gossip are the very foodof its citizens.”His eyes narrowed.“It matters not what they sayabout me.I have lived with such things my whole life.But I deeplyregret what this will do to your father when he sees such a cloudupon his daughter’s reputation.”
Lindsey turned and stared at the rough wavesof the loch, her thoughts as dark as the water.She had to escapethis nightmare.And soon.
“Land ahead,” the boatman called out.
The queen turned to watch as the boat glidedsilently toward the island.Lindsey studied the stiff spine of hermonarch and watched the proud lift of her head as they neared land.Though Mary must be weary beyond belief, she could not forget foreven a moment that she was the queen, and must appear regal to allher subjects.
As soon as the boat touched land Jamie leapedto the shore and assisted the queen from the boat.The hooded manclimbed out and stared around as if in a daze.Jamie took Lindsey’shand and helped her onto dry land.
“I will ferry the horses one at a time,Majesty,” the boatman said, “so that you might ride the grounds ofLochleven if you desire.”
“That is most kind of you.”The queen drewher cloak around her to ward off the chill from the water.“What isyour name?”
“Justin MacLeod, Majesty.”
“Thank you, Justin MacLeod.Your kindnesswill not be forgotten.”
Moved by his queen’s gratitude, the man bowedlow until she and her party had turned away.
No one took any notice of the silvery shadowthat crawled from the loch and shook the water from its heavy coatbefore disappearing into the mist.
* * *
The queen and her party strode through dampmarsh and tall grass until they reached a hilly mound.Walkingbecame easier as they made their way along a winding drive linedwith stately trees and formal gardens.In the distance, perched ona ravine, were the crumbling remains of ancient monastic buildings.A new chapel had been built along one side of the castle.Despitethe obvious attempts to beautify the ancient fortress, it retainedthe wild, primitive look of a hunting lodge.
As they drew near, the massive doors werethrown wide.Lindsey paused, expecting to see a staff of severaldozen spill through the open doorway to greet their royal guest.Instead, a tiny, birdlike woman, wiping her hands on her apron,bobbed her way down the stone steps.Behind her trailed a girl ofabout ten and four, and a stooped little man in immaculatelytailored livery.
Queen Mary looked beyond them expectantly.When no one else appeared, she turned to the woman, whocurtsied.
“Welcome to Lochleven, Majesty.My name isGenevieve Macnab.”She made another curtsy, then went on in thesame breath, “This is my daughter, Sabina.”She caught the lass byboth shoulders and pushed her forward, causing the girl to stumbleas she made a clumsy bow.“She will be your personal maid, if shepleases you.”Taking a deep breath, she caught the old man by thehand and drew him to her side.“And this is my husband, Fergus.Hewill be manservant, footman, stable master, coachman.Fergus can doeverything.”
The man made a sweeping bow.“Welcome toLochleven, Majesty.”
For a moment the queen was silent, and thethree shifted uncomfortably.Then a soft smile touched Mary’slips.
“Thank you, Master Macnab, Mistress Macnab.Your daughter, Sabina, seems a fine, sturdy lass.I shall be mostgrateful for her.assistance.”
The three beamed with pleasure.
Mary turned to include the others in herparty.“This is my husband, Lord Darnley.”
Lindsey was aware of the ice in the queen’stone and turned to study the hooded figure beside her.The manbarely glanced at the servants before striding up the steps.
Ignoring his impertinence, Mary said softly,“This is my true and loyal friend, Jamie MacDonald.”
“My lord!”Fergus stepped forward andextended his hand, his eyes wide with respect.“I have long heardof your prowess in battle.Your name is legend.It is a rareprivilege to meet you at long last.”
“Thank you, Fergus.”
“And this,” the queen said, swallowing back asudden smile, “is the lady Lindsey Gordon.”
Lindsey saw the way the Macnab family studiedher, their gazes locked on her strange clothes.
It was Genevieve Macnab who composed herselfquickly enough to say, “Welcome, my lady.”
“Thank you, Mistress Macnab.”
“And now,” Mary said, lifting her skirts asshe began to ascend the steps, “I want nothing more than acomfortable bed.”
