Quest of the Highlander (Crowns & Kilts #5) - Cynthia Wright Page 0,24
in the wedge of light that spilled into the courtyard and scanned the room. His eyes were drawn to the magnificent ceiling, painted with costly verdigris, indigo, and gold, before he searched the long table of women for his aunt. Two dogs, a brown terrier and a greyhound, roamed about the edges of the table, in search of scraps. The Queen of Scots sat at one end, chatting amiably with her ladies, a gown of claret velvet covering her great bulk. Servants wearing the crimson bonnet of the queen’s livery carried platters of roasted capon and spring vegetables.
Lennox hadn’t seen his mother’s sister for several years, but he remembered that she was a big woman, taller than many men, and he quickly saw her near the queen. Tess’s kind face was lined, her gray hair nearly hidden under a French hood. Her brow furrowed at the sight of him.
“Lennox MacLeod?” she queried, looking surprised. “I did not expect to see you tonight.”
He cocked his head slightly and came a bit closer. “Did you not? I thought…”
The guard, who was conferring with an usher, straightened. “Ye were meant to wait outside!” he scolded Lennox.
Queen Mary looked among them with interest. “Who might this handsome visitor be?” Her eyes twinkled in the candlelight. “A Viking raider, perchance?”
As his aunt made introductions, Lennox came to bow before the queen, smiling in a way he hoped would dispel any lingering doubts. “I apologize for the interruption, Your Majesty,” he said. “I must have misunderstood the message from my aunt.”
“We are pleased to have you among us, good sir,” replied the queen. She gave him a look that was subtly laced with coquetry, and it came to Lennox that they must be nearly the same age. “Do join us. My people will make a place for you beside your aunt.”
When he was seated and had drunk a goblet of Burgundy wine, Lennox looked at Tess. “I have something of great import to discuss with you, Aunt.”
She blinked. “I am glad to see you, lad, but you should not have interrupted this meal. Her Majesty is meant to be in her chamber for these weeks before her lying-in, but she chafes against confinement. So, when she ventures out, as tonight, her ladies surround her. But you are a man.” Her voice was gentle, but firm.
Chastened, Lennox turned his attention to the queen. She was speaking of her young son, Prince John, who was less than one year of age, but who lived in St. Andrews with a household staff of his own. “Soon, I am told, he will take his first steps. How I wish I could be with my boy,” she said, sighing, and Lennox felt the grief underlying her words. “With both my little sons!”
Tess leaned over and explained softly, “The queen has one more child, born before her marriage to King James, who has remained behind in France, living with Her Majesty’s family. Little François is but five years of age, and our queen has to content herself with letters that bring news of him across the sea.” Pausing, Tess sipped her wine. “Thank God none of our family were born royal.”
“I suspect ye have seen a great deal during so many years at court,” Lennox ventured, hoping to steer the subject in another direction. He could feel the miniature concealed under his belt, pressing against his hipbone. Would his aunt think him selfish if he began to ask questions about his mother?
“More than you can imagine.” Tess lifted her pearl-handled eating knife and gestured toward his untouched serving of capon. “But we will speak of other matters later.”
His heart sank, yet he could not force this subject. “Later tonight?”
Just then, Queen Mary went pale and set down her goblet of wine. “I am unwell,” she proclaimed. Beads of sweat shone on her brow, and her hand went to the great curve of her belly as she moaned, “This should not be happening. It is too soon!”
Aunt Tess rose, calm but concerned. “We must escort you to your chamber, ma’am.” She joined the other ladies in assisting the queen, and just before they left the table, Tess glanced back at Lennox. “When the time is right, I shall send for you.”
Within minutes, he found himself alone at the table, surrounded by plates of rich food and half-drunk goblets of strong wine. The dogs lay nearby, gnawing on bones.
I have waited a lifetime, Lennox thought, sighing. I can wait a few hours more.