“I have put off riding here at Lochleven,because my stable master did not accompany me.But while we arehere, you shall be my stable master.”
“Majesty.”Neal fell to his knees before herand, overcome with emotion, caught her hand and kissed it.
Mary was touched by his devotion.
She turned to his father.“Ah, Douglas.Wouldthat life could always be this simple.And yet, though I longyearned for some time away from the pressure of ruling my people, Ifind I miss the pomp and ceremony at court.”She brightened.“Doyou remember the time you helped me greet the Emperor ofSpain?”
“Aye, Majesty.You ordered me to match himdrink for drink.Little did you know how much wine he couldhold.”
Mary laughed until she wiped tears from hereyes.“Or how little you could hold, Douglas.As I recall, you hadto be helped to your chambers.”
Lindsey glanced from her father to the queen,then back again.In her father’s eyes was a light of laughter thathad long been missing.
While the fire blazed and the goblets werefilled, Mary regaled them with stories about life at court, oftenasking Jamie or Douglas to interject their comments.Lindsey andher brothers found themselves laughing often.None of them hadrealized just how dear a friend their father was to the queen.
Stifling a yawn, the queen got slowly to herfeet.“I must retire for the night,” she said.“I find that I tireeasily these days.”
Immediately everyone stood at attention.Themen bowed.Lindsey curtsied.
“But on the morrow, Neal, you and I will ridethe grounds of Lochleven.”
“Aye, Majesty.”The lad’s eyes were brightwith pleasure.“It will be my honor.”
The queen shot a glance at her husband, whoreluctantly set down his tankard and crossed the room to offer hisarm.Everyone remained standing until the door closed behindthem.
As soon as they were alone, Murray clapped ahand on his father’s shoulder and said “You old dog.You never toldus that you and the queen were such close friends.”
Douglas gave a negligent shrug of hisshoulders and emptied his tankard.But though his words werehumble, there was a twinkle in his eye as he said absently, “Ithought you knew.In my younger days I spent much time at court.But like Jamie MacDonald, my heart lay in the Highlands.”
“But you were never boastful of your closefriendship.Most men would have used their relationship with thequeen to acquire favors or power.”
Douglas dropped an arm around his eldestson’s shoulders.“My son, I need neither favors nor power.That iswhy my friendship with Mary is an easy one.I value my queen forwho she is, not for what she can give me.”
The housekeeper, looking flushed and untidy,entered and bowed before Douglas Gordon.
“My lord, I have prepared rooms for you andyour sons, and my Lord MacPherson.If you would follow me, I willoffer them for your approval.”
Lindsey’s heart went out to the little womanand her daughter, who had probably worked themselves into a frenzyseeing that enough rooms were prepared for so many unexpectedguests.With no servants to assist them, they must be nearlyexhausted by the additional work.
Ian, seeing the way Jamie was watchingLindsey, gave a smug smile and caught Lindsey’s hand.“Would youcare to join us on a tour of our rooms, my lady?”
She felt weary beyond belief.But this was,after all, her father’s first night at Lochleven.With the queenretired for the night, it was her duty to act as hostess.
“Aye.I would be happy to join you.”
Before Lindsey could move to her father’sside, Ian placed her hand on his arm and closed his hand firmlyover it.Lindsey was forced to move along at his side.
Turning to Jamie, Douglas extended his hand.“Thank you for keeping my daughter safe.”
The two men shook hands solemnly, andLindsey’s brothers followed suit, before following the housekeeperup the stairs.
Ian flashed Jamie a triumphant smile beforeleaning close to Lindsey and whispering loudly, “When we haveinspected our rooms, my lady, I will see you to your room.”When hebegan to lead her past Jamie, Lindsey paused.“Good night, mylord.”
Jamie inclined his head slightly.“Goodnight, my lady.”
Together, Lindsey and Ian climbed the stairs.But as they followed Mistress Macnab toward the far end of thehall, where the rooms had been prepared, Lindsey suddenly realizedshe had forgotten something very important.
“My lord, I must see the queen.”
