“God’s creativity indeed,” he said. “Well, I shall leave you both to it. I am taking Argyll for some sport. He is not the mingling sort, and I fear he may require a little saving from the eager mothers present this day.”
He then kissed his wife on the cheek and left.
“Now there’s a fine match, Lady Marion.”
“Who do you mean, my lady?”
“The very eligible Earl of Argyll, of course. Did your mother not educate you on the nobles to most look for and those to avoid?”
Marion wished her conversations with her mother had been so productive. “I do not wish to speak ill of my mother, my lady, but she has been more interested in a marriage proposal for me than specifically from whom.”
“Oh dear, well, that will not do. I shall tell you everything you need to know about all those present today. I have had a fascinating opportunity in this past year to observe the nobles and their families of this land, and I can tell you there is as much opportunistic intent here as there is in London.”
Marion was relatively sure she understood what the queen meant, and her mother was a part of that mindset as well.
“Let us begin with the earl, shall we, Lady Marion?” the queen said as she linked arms with her, and they drew away from the menagerie.
They walked along the loch to where a beautiful garden spread out across its side. Finely ground stone crunched beneath their feet and the sweetest aroma filled the air as they drew closer to bushes of roses so full and so fragrant that Marion wondered if she had not just stepped into a living painting.
“His given name is Alexander Campbell, and he is one of the most sought after bachelors in the land. Are you certain you do not know of him already?”
“I confess, I do not, my lady. When my mother and father discuss such things, I usually try to be elsewhere or to not listen.”
“I do understand. However, you do realize that with the right information, you can help them make a decision that is suitable for you.”
Marion had not thought about it that way. Maybe there was something to be said for knowing more about the possibilities of who she may be forced to marry rather than going into it blind.
“Very well, my lady, you have convinced me to listen as you tell me all about the eligible lords of whom I should and should not consider.”
The queen laughed. “Now you’re getting the idea. Right, back to Argyll. He is handsome, young, tall, has great means, and is one of the king’s favorites.”
“If he is all that, my lady, may I ask why he is not already married, or at least betrothed?” Marion could not help but ask the question. Was he a demon? Did he possess sores? If he was that perfect, surely, he would have been secured by now.
“You are too clever for your own good, Lady Marion. It is true, he is most eligible and would be quite the catch, but as the king said, he does not enjoy the engagement in society required to secure an equitable match. He claims he will marry on his own terms in his own time.”
Marion rather admired him, for that was what she intended for herself as well. The difference, of course, being he was an earl and could do as he pleased.
“Very well, my lady, the earl is stubbornly single. Is there anyone else I should know about?”
“As far as who to consider, there are a couple in our presence including Lord John Stewart, the future Earl of Buchan. A fine young man who will grow into his attributes in time, but appears a bit of a shy one. Still better a man you can shape than one who will rule you.”
Marion wasn’t sure she wanted to shape or rule anyone. That was certainly not how she envisioned a marriage.
“Which brings me to my last note for you. Whatever you do, do not engage with Lord Ross. He is from the north, and though he plays the game well in our society, it is widely rumored he has orchestrated a group spin from the most recent Highland resistance still loyal to the former king and bent on unseating my husband. He is charming to a fault and will do everything to align himself with the king. I havesingled you out this day for very genuine reasons and I am glad of them, but I fear that may also draw some additional attention to you.”
“And what does this Lord Ross look like so that I may steer clear of him?”
“I believe you will know him as soon as you see him. There is something a little too polished, a little too smooth, and a little too flattering to believe anything he says.”
Could that have been the black rider? Nay, ’twas not possible. The feelings instilled in her from their brief glances did not give her the impression of a false man. She had to know, but again needed to hold her interests close to her heart lest she find herself on the wrong side of the altar.
“I must ask, my lady. Did Lord Ross take part in the joust this morn?” She could kick herself now for not paying attention to the names when the riders were first announced. She would not make that mistake again and could see the benefit of arming herself with as much knowledge as she could about those gathered and their intentions.
“He was not in attendance this morning, Lady Marion. However, I did spy him at our repast.”
Marion did not know if she should be pleased or concerned.
*
