“The queen?”
“Aye, no one would tell me anything about her.”
“She is one year younger than you, and rather clever with a charming sense of humor. I believe you both will get along quite well.”
“I do hope so. And I think I would like to consider you a friend as well.”
“While it is unusual for one of the queen’s ladies to befriend a member of household staff, I confess,” he said with a grin, “I like you already.”
Fin was a tall, thin man with his hair tied neatly at his nape and his clothing impeccably precise. She could see him being an excellent older brother. Though she was not attracted to him, she could see anyone being drawn to his kindness and the little hint of mischievousness that hid just under the surface. At least in this half-mad situation in which she found herself, she had one friend.
*
William listened tothe king’s words with near disbelief. He supposed anything was possible, but after all this time?
“You are certain?” William asked again.
“Do you doubt your king’s intelligence?”
“Put that way, no, Your Majesty. But it’s been so long since we’ve heard from any of them.”
“Aye, it has, and now they have a plan to make sure their voices are heard loud and clear.”
“I just don’t understand why now,” William said, shaking his head and leaning back in his chair. They had been talking for a while before the king revealed his concerns. It was likely now he was not sure who to trust.
“Were you given names?”
“Aye, one we are fairly certain is involved and with him one who plans to attend my wife.”
“And who is that?”
“Lady Agnes Sinclair. I’d received a missive from her father some months ago and upon speaking with my wife finally convinced her to keep a set of ladies for company and she agreed. Once word spread, other noble houses offered their kin to add to the entourage. As of now with Lady Agnes’s arrival, the queen will have that one attend her and the rest in the coming days.”
“Can’t you just send her back?” He didn’t quite mean to blurt the words, but did it make sense to keep the lady close and allow her access to the queen?
“My Lord Montrose, nothing in our world is quite that simple, which is why I’ve asked to speak with you. I have placed her uncle in the chamber adjacent to yours. He is a cunning man with lands but no title, by my design because of his rumored affiliation with those who still support my father. I do not know to what extent she is involved, or even he for that matter. I would like you to get to know them both and see what you can glean. I have other avenues at play as well, so if you are not up to the task, I will be disappointed, but I will understand. I know her parents are loyal to the crown, and I do not wish to risk damaging that relationship as they represent my interests in the north. So you see, ’tis delicate.”
Delicate indeed when one is expected to sniff out a potential traitor in the form of an unmarried lady or a lesser laird. The latter could rarely be trusted.
“Your Majesty, I will of course do as you have bid, as always. And I will be discreet. I am not familiar with that family so an introduction would be required.”
“I can offer assurance of that at this evening’s meal. I will ensure you are seated together. I thank you, Montrose, for your continued loyalty to me and my family.”
“You will always have it, Your Majesty, until I draw my last breath.”
With that, the king dismissed William to his chamber to await the evening meal. He paced behind the closed door and wondered if this John Sinclair was next door at that moment plotting and scheming. Not thinking he’d hear anything, he placed his ear to the stone wall. Castles were notorious for cracks through which sounds could carry, but alas there was nothing.
Without any other option, and since the evening meal was hours away, William took himself off to explore the market and to distract himself from the growing worry about the level of threat the king faced. Were there other spies about plotting with Sinclair and his traitorous niece? What would he say when he met them? Did he possess the qualities needed to hold his tongue if aught was revealed to him? He hoped so.
Chapter Three
Agnes smiled toherself as she gazed around the chamber. Three large chests and a wardrobe drew her attention and, unable to resist, she opened them just as a knock sounded at the door and Fin entered with servants who carried water for her bath.
“I see you have found your surprise,” he said. “They are gifts from the queen, and her seamstress is on hand for any alterations that may be required.”
Agnes lifted one out of the chest which was a thick brocade with gold stitching on deep gray-blue fabric.
“I think that is the one you should wear this evening,” he said. “Your eyes are the color of ice, Lady Agnes. Aye, this one will do well.”
