HER AUNT'S ATTENTIONsnapped to Nessa.She took in the gown, the bearing, the confidence.
"My lady," her aunt said, with an amiable tone she had not used with Una."I did not realize ye were acquainted with my niece."
"Oh, we are very well acquainted," Nessa replied."We are practically related."She smiled and said nothing further, not even giving a name.
Her aunt waited for it.None came.She pressed forward."Una has been a great help to our family.She tutors our daughters in needlework.A remarkable skill."
Una kept a pleasant expression on her face and ignored her aunt's slight.
Nessa did not flinch."Aye, I hear Una's skills are highly sought after.I have no doubt that soon no noblewoman would be caught dead without one of her creations."
Elspeth and Fenella were still watching Una, eyes moving over the length of her gown.Catriona stood quietly at the edge of the group.
The thane cleared his throat."Do ye have rooms here in the castle?"he asked Nessa.
"Aye, we do," Nessa replied.
"Then ye must be from a fine family?"
"I am."
The thane nodded and they all stood about awkwardly.
Then the doors at the far end of the room opened.
"His Majesty, King David," was announced.
Every conversation stopped.The room dropped into deference, bows and curtseys exchanged, as the royal procession moved through the assembly.Una lowered her head with the rest until the king asked everyone to rise and be at ease.
She looked up.
The king moved through the room.Behind him, attendants and advisors walked in close formation.Her eyes moved along the line and stopped when she saw Cormac among them.
He was one pace behind to the king's left, scanning the room.He found her.Their eyes met and held.Then he winked.
Una's cheeks warmed.
Beside her, her aunt had forgotten entirely about Una.
"Cormac Stewart," her aunt breathed, watching the procession."I had not realized he would be in attendance.And so close to the king."She touched Elspeth's elbow."A man of considerable fortune and excellent family.His father holds the Stewart lairdship.Unmarried, as far as I am aware."She straightened."I think he will make a good match for ye, Elspeth.But don't stare so openly!"
"I am not staring," Elspeth said, staring.
Fenella remained silent.Her eyes were fixed on Cormac with an expression Una could not quite read.
Her aunt turned briefly to Una and Nessa, as if suddenly remembering they existed."A fine-looking man, is he not?"She did not wait for an answer.She was already nudging Elspeth and Fenella forward, adjusting her own posture.
Nessa glanced at Una.
Una quietly shrugged.
The king moved through the room, speaking to various assembled parties.Cormac remained with the king's group, listening, nodding occasionally, his posture easy.Several men spoke to him.He answered briefly.He did not look her way again, but she knew he was aware of exactly where she stood.
Una's aunt continued a running commentary directed at Elspeth and Fenella."If one of ye could secure even a brief introduction.He is the sort of match that does not present itself twice.His father's lands alone, and by all accounts Cormac Stewart himself has considerable means of his own.Elspeth, ye look well this evening.Fenella, stand up straight."
Catriona observed her mother with mild amusement.
Then, across the room, there was a small parting in the crowd.
