The housekeeper hurried away.Within a shorttime, the sideboard was groaning under the weight of silver traysbearing cold duck and mutton, hot crusty breads and tankards of hotmulled wine.
Lindsey watched with affection as her fatherand brothers ate great quantities of food and downed more than afew tankards of wine.At last, refreshed, they were content to pulltheir chairs in a circle around the queen and bask in the warmth ofher presence.
“You spoke of a missive from me,” Mary saidto Ian.
“Aye, Majesty.”With a smug look Ian turnedto glance at Jamie.Pulling the rolled parchment from his tunic, hebowed and presented it to Mary.
She read it quickly, then looked up to studythe handsome young man who knelt before her.
“So you are Ian MacPherson.You were highlyrecommended to me by my cousin, Lord Desmond Frazer, who told methat you served him well.You are welcome here at Lochleven,” Marysaid.“Your skill with a sword as well as your love and loyalty aresorely needed.Your presence here should greatly relieve the burdenof my good friend Jamie MacDonald who has been seeing to mysafety.”
Ian turned and gave Jamie a measured look.Jamie, who stood alone beside the fireplace, scowled into histankard.But moments later, while the others were talking, Iansidled up to Jamie and said, “I believe you owe me an apology.”
“And you shall have it.”Ian smiled, but thesmile quickly turned to a scowl when Jamie concluded, “When I amconvinced of your loyalty to the queen.”
“That is heresy.Since when do you placeyourself above the queen?”
Jamie’s voice was low, controlled.“Beware,Ian MacPherson.I do not play the fool.”
“Nor do I.I will have your apology.”Ianemptied his tankard and turned away.“Or your blood upon mysword.”
Jamie moved not a muscle as the arrogantyouth stalked away.
Unaware of the tensions, the queen turned tothe handsome, white-haired leader of his clan, who sat surroundedby his family.“Tell me, Douglas, what are they saying in Edinburghabout my absence from Holyrood?”
“There are many rumors, Majesty.”The olderman placed his hands on his knees and leaned forward.“There arethose who say you have fled to England, and are now under theprotection of your cousin, Elizabeth.”
At that the queen laughed.“So they think Ihave fled to England?What else do they say?”
“Some say yours is a difficult confinement,Majesty, and that you reside with a physician in attendance atStirling Castle.”
“Ah.Stirling.”Mary threw back her head andlaughed.“Aye, and well they should think that.It is where I wascrowned Queen of Scots when just an infant.”
“Aye, Majesty.It is natural that you shouldwant to return to those happier places to await the birth of yourchild.”
Mary placed her hand over Douglas Gordon’s.“Do you think anyone suspects that I am here?”
“I heard no such rumors, Majesty.”
“Then I am safe, praise heaven.”
Douglas glanced over the queen’s bowed headto meet Jamie’s gaze.He shook his head slightly.His gesture wasnot lost on Lindsey.She felt a tremor of fear for her queen.
In a much lighter mood, Mary turned to thehandsome young men who surrounded their father.“Lindsey has toldme much about you.I feel as if I already know you.Let me see...”She studied the four, then turned to Murray.“You are the eldest,Murray.Is that not so?”
“Aye, Majesty.”Murray flushed withpleasure.
“You are the most like your father.And you,”Mary said turning to Donald, “are the one who makes all the lasses’hearts flutter.”
Donald was not the least insulted by hisimage as a wencher.But he was surprised that the queen should knowsuch a thing about him.“Aye, Majesty.I am fond of women.”
“You, Robert, are the poet.”
“Aye,” Robbie said.“And I know that, havingmet my queen, I will be moved to write many inspiring verses toyour beauty.”
Mary’s smile grew.“I cannot wait to hearyour poetry.”She turned to the shy lad who ducked his head whenshe looked at him.“You are Neal,” the queen said.“Your sistertells me that you love caring for horses.”
“Aye, Majesty.”His cheeks were as bright asthe queen’s gown.
