Lindsey thought of the way her heart hadpounded, and the anger when she had seen Jamie leave with abeautiful woman, and the fear when she realized she was lost in astrange city.“It was a passionate feeling, and a sense of freedomlike no other, Sabina.And though it turned out all wrong, I woulddo it again.”
Lindsey realized she was telling more thanshe ought.“But I must not tarry.Can you help me with mygown?”
The servant lifted the gown over Lindsey’shead, then smoothed down the skirt.While she buttoned it, Lindseystudied her reflection in the looking glass.
The gown was midnight blue velvet, with alow, softly rounded neckline and narrow waist.The sleeves werefull at the shoulder, then narrow from elbow to wrist and tied withlighter blue ribbons.The voluminous skirt was gathered here andthere with the same pale blue ribbons, revealing an underskirt ofmatching midnight blue.
“Sit, my lady,” Sabina said, “and I willdress your hair.”
Lindsey sat in front of the looking glass andSabina began to brush the tangles from her hair.When it wasbrushed smooth, the servant caught the sides with jeweled combs,allowing the rest of Lindsey’s hair to stream down her back in acascade of silken waves.
“Oh, my lady,” Sabina breathed.“Without asingle adornment of jewels, you look lovelier than any of thetitled ladies who have been guests here at Lochleven.”
“Thank you, Sabina.”Lindsey stood and walkedto the door.“Despite your tender age, you are a fine ladies’maid.”
She pulled open the door, missing the smileof pleasure that touched the girl’s lips.
Below stairs Fergus greeted Lindseywarmly.
“Ah, my lady.How splendid you look.”
She gave him a bright smile.“Thank you,Fergus.Your wife has promised a fine meal.”
“Aye, it is being readied in the refectory.If you will follow me, my lord MacDonald, Lord Darnley and thequeen await you in the library.”
“The queen?I thought she was too weary toeat.”
“Aye, my lady.We thought so, too.But sheand her husband descended the stairs just minutes ago.”
He led her along the hall past severaldarkened rooms.At the door to the library, he paused, allowing herto enter first.
Bowing to the queen, Fergus said, “I willannounce when all is in readiness, Majesty.”
“Thank you, Fergus.”
With a lap robe tucked around her, the queenresided on a chaise positioned near the fireplace.Her husband,Lord Darnley, stood beside a table upon which rested a silver traywith a decanter and goblets.Jamie stood to one side of thefireplace.His eyes narrowed as he studied Lindsey.
For a moment she felt shy and awkward.Alwaysbefore, she had had her father and brothers around her to act asbuffers.Now she was alone with the queen and her dour husband, andwith this stern man who always seemed to cause her pulse torace.
“So,” the queen said as Lindsey crossed theroom, “this is our young stable lad.You look much more fetching ina gown than you did in those shabby breeches and tunic.”
Seeing the flush upon her cheeks, Jamie tookpity on her and poured her a cup of tea.As he crossed the room tohand it to her, Lord Darnley said loudly, “I thought the ladyfilled those breeches admirably.”
At his coarse comment Lindsey’s cheeksflamed.Although it was early morning, it was obvious that thequeen’s husband had already had much to drink.
An awkward silence fell over them.As Lindseyaccepted the cup from Jamie’s hands, she glanced at the queen, whopretended to have heard nothing.A quick glance at Jamie’s facerevealed a tiny muscle working in his jaw as he turned toward LordDarnley and watched him fill his tankard again.
Eager to break the uncomfortable silence,Lindsey said softly, “I am grateful that Mistress Macnab managed tofind some clothes that fit me.”
“As she did for all of us,” the queenremarked, glancing down at the demure ivory gown and shawl thatcovered her swollen figure.
“I am pleased Your Majesty saw fit to join usto break our fast.”
“I could not sleep.There was so muchwhirling around inside my head, I could scarcely close my eyes.”The queen fixed Lindsey with an intense look.“How did you come bythe garb of a stable lad?”
“I paid for them.”
Jamie and Darnley listened with interest.
