“Only that you had the misfortune to meet aHighland lass with a temper to match your own.”
Jamie swallowed and remained silent.But hispain was evident to the man who had raised him.
“Go and refresh yourself,” Brice said.“Andthen return and lift a tankard with me.I would heareverything.”
“Aye.”Brushing a hand wearily across hiseyes, Jamie made his way to his old chambers and sank downgratefully on the bed.There had been no rest for him in many days.He was too weary to even remove his sword and scabbard.And yet hecould not seem to summon sleep.His thoughts were tormented by hislast view of Lindsey, riding defiantly out of his life and vowingnever to forgive him.
* * *
Jamie, looking splendid in black breeches andtunic, descended the stairs.He could hear the hum of conversationin the great hall.When he entered, he was astounded to see thegreat number of guests who had been invited to sup with theirqueen.Besides the hundreds of Highlanders who had ridden with him,there were all the Campbells and their families, and thedignitaries from the surrounding towns and villages, who were sorarely privileged to bask in the presence of their monarch.
As he made his way through the crush ofpeople, Murray Gordon caught his arm and pulled him aside.Standingwith him were his three brothers, who greeted Jamie warmly.
“So,” Jamie said, “you are healed.When didyou arrive?”
“Only this morrow.We left as soon as thequeen’s missive arrived.”
We.Jamie longed to ask about Lindsey, buthis pride prevented him from doing so.Besides, he warned himself,the lass was too furious with him to ever forgive him.
“I would say this now,” Murray began, “beforethe ale flows too freely, getting in the way of my tongue.”
The others chuckled.
“What is it?”Jamie tensed.
“I resented you when you invaded our home.”Murray flushed but forced himself to go on.“And I resented the wayyou behaved like a mule in the presence of my sister.”
“Mule?”
Murray held up his hand and said, “Aye.Amule.But then, Lindsey is not the easiest of lasses.Now I wouldapologize for my unkind thoughts and at times my rude behaviortoward you.”He offered his hand.“If ever I find myself in battlewith a dozen men against me, I would have you at my side, JamieMacDonald.You are truly the finest warrior in Scotland.”
Jamie stared at his hand in amazement,wondering what had brought this on.Then he smiled and accepted hishandshake.
The others patted him on the back and offeredtheir hands.
“Come, now,” Murray said.“I was told to seethat you sat with the queen at the table of honor.Her husband,’tis said, is indisposed.”
The four escorted Jamie through the thronguntil they reached the head table, where they were greeted warmlyby the queen and by Meredith and Brice.But when Brice moved aside,Jamie was astonished to see standing behind him, a vision inemerald satin.
“Lindsey.”Jamie breathed her name as hestrode forward, then halted abruptly.“How did you come to be here,my lady?”
Lindsey struggled to hide the tumultuousemotions she was experiencing at the nearness of him.The roguestill had the ability to make her pulse race and her blood heat.“The queen commanded it.Else I would still be in banishment at myfather’s fortress.”
Banishment.Jamie’s heart fell at her choiceof words.She was making it as plain as possible that she was nothere of her own free will.
Both of them were unaware that Mary waswatching them with great interest.
“Jamie,” Mary said imperiously, “you andLindsey will sit to my right.Brice and Meredith will sit on myleft side.”
All bowed and took their places when thequeen was seated.
Mary’s confessor, Bishop Edmund Grant, led aprayer of thanksgiving, which went on endlessly, as he praised thequeen, the Highlanders and all loyal to the throne.At last dozensof servants, recruited from nearby villages, helped serve thefeast.
The meal was a festive affair, with silvertrays of whole roasted boar, partridge and pheasant, mutton andvenison.There were baskets filled with breads and trays ofpuddings, tarts and pastries of every kind.Tankards and gobletswere filled with ale and hot mulled wine.
There were toasts to the queen’s beauty, andto her wisdom, and to her unborn child.And there were toasts tothe men who had left their homes to see to the queen’s safety, andtoasts to the men who led them.
Through it all, Jamie and Lindsey sat silentand awkward in each other’s presence.
