“Aye, little one. What do you wish to learn about first?”
She looked at him with wide eyes, for how could she know what a palace looked like, or those things contained within?
“Very well, let me tell you about his animals.”
“And can you tell us about the beautiful lords and ladies?”
“Aye, sweet one, I shall.”
Alexander spent the next hour describing in as much detail as he could muster between their endless questions.
“Did you dance, brother?” Jean asked.
“Did you? Did you?” Cora asked.
“Aye, I danced with two ladies.”
“And were they beautiful?” Cora asked.
“Aye, they were beautiful.” One whose face would be burned into his mind for all time, he was certain.
“Why do you look sad?” Cora asked.
“I am not sad. I will miss the palace,” he said, which was only a small lie.
“I wish I could see the palace and the king and queen,” Cora said.
“Well, maybe you can.”
“What does that mean?” Jean asked. “We cannot all travel to Linlithgow Palace.”
“Nay, we cannot, but the king wishes to visit us here at Inverarybefore the summer is out. What do you say to that?”
Jean’s eyes widened for a few moments before a broad grin spread across her face. “The king wishes to visit us here?”
“Aye, very much so, and he wishes to bring his new wife who is just a little younger than you, sister. I know from my visit that the queen enjoys the company of other ladies close to her age.” He prayed none of them would probe on that subject.
“It would appear I have much planning to do,” she said. “We will have to move you out of the master’s chambers.”
“Aye, that is satisfactory. Those chambers are too much for me, in any case.”
“I will happily take up residence in them,” Thomas said.
“Nay, you will not,” Alexander said, shaking his head. The lad knew no boundaries.
“If I meet a queen, will that make me a princess?” Cora asked.
“Nay, my sweet. You are Lady Cora and that you shall remain until you marry a lord when you are much older.”
“How does one prepare for a visit from a royal couple?” Jean asked with what appeared a question more to herself than anyone present.
“I believe one consults with her brother, the cook, our steward, the ghillies, and house staff to formulate a plan. This king enjoys grand affairs with no expense spared. Maybe we can show him what a quieter, more peaceful existence looks like.”
“But will I get to stay up late and dance?”
“You will have a dance and a new gown, I promise,” he said.
“When do you want this to happen?” Jean asked.
