Quest of the Highlander (Crowns & Kilts #5) - Cynthia Wright Page 0,79
your eyes,” her friend said. “I’m so eager to know, now that Lennox has discovered he is the son of a duke, do you intend to reveal your wedded state?”
Nora shook her head. “I can’t say yet.” Even if she had settled on an answer to Cicely’s bold question, she wouldn’t share it with anyone but Lennox.
* * *
Very soon, everyone will leave Weston House, Nora thought with a sigh.
During supper, she heard Micheline and Sandhurst telling their daughters to begin choosing the special belongings they wished to take to Gloucestershire, where they would spend the rest of the summer at the family’s country estate. Susan, the oldest, was especially excited at the prospect of riding her favorite horse again.
Meanwhile, Lennox admitted that he would indeed be visiting the Duke of Hastings’s manor house in Surrey. Over a dessert of plum tart sprinkled with sugar, the others peppered him with questions about his plans. Lennox had looked uncomfortable as he replied, casting frequent glances toward Nora.
It was Cicely, however, who delivered the news that most shook Nora’s world. “I had a visit from Robin today. He insists I must return home tomorrow, or he will arrive here to take me by force.” She pushed back her trencher and sighed. “Robin also brought some exceedingly sad news. Andrew, have you heard? Sir Raymond Slater’s ship, Hercules, was lost in a storm off the coast of Spain. There were no survivors. How tragic, for such a man to die in the very prime of his life!”
Hearing these words, Nora felt shock ripple through her. Slater was lost. Dead! Trying to keep her expression calm, she leaned forward, eager to hear every word.
“Indeed?” Sandhurst was saying, brow arched. “I hardly think he’ll be missed by anyone, except perhaps his trading patrons.”
Cicely frowned. “Why do you say so? I always found Sir Raymond to be very charming, in a rather wicked way. In fact, before my Robin proposed marriage, Sir Raymond showed quite an interest in me, and I was tempted to reciprocate.”
“Well, that would have never happened as long as you were living under my roof.” Sandhurst’s face darkened. “Sir Raymond Slater always struck me as unscrupulous, to put it politely.”
Nora winced inwardly when Lennox spoke up. “I couldn’t agree more. I detested him, almost on sight, when our paths crossed at Stirling Castle.”
“By my troth,” protested Cicely. “The poor man is dead! Will you not allow him to rest in peace?”
“Cicely is quite right,” Micheline interjected in her soft French accent. “You men should save this conversation for another time. Shall we leave the table now? I know three young girls who must prepare for bed.”
As the others rose, still talking, Nora hoped she could slip away. Sandhurst, however, appeared at her side before she had taken a dozen steps.
“I want you to know you are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you’d like,” he said without preamble. “I’ve already spoken to Throgmorton and Mistress Goodwyn. They are here at all times, even when we are not, and they will be happy to serve you.”
Nora’s face felt warm. “You’re very kind, sir.”
“Nonsense. Micheline and I both want you to stay.”
Pride stirred in her breast. “I do have plans to meet with the keeper of the Great Wardrobe,” she professed, stretching the truth, “but until my situation is settled, I am grateful for your kindness.”
“They will be very fortunate to have you,” Sandhurst said, as his wife appeared, smiling by his side.
Micheline took his arm but leaned closer to Nora. “Ma chère,” she said, smiling, “we must talk tomorrow. May I visit you in the morning?”
No sooner had Nora nodded agreement than little Alison was spotted in the corridor, pulling Percy’s feathered tail. Sandhurst called out to his youngest daughter, and Nora took that opportunity to bid her hosts goodnight.
Alone at last in her chamber, she went to the carved chest against the wall and took out her satchel. She had unpacked it and stored her clothing herself, not wanting the serving maid to know everything she had brought.
Now Nora opened the satchel, her mind racing with new possibilities. Inside, carefully rolled into cylinders, were her precious tapestries: the childhood weaving of the rabbit, the nearly finished creation made from Lennox’s pattern, and another smaller tapestry, wedged between the other two. She closed her eyes for a moment and attempted to conjure up the magical power tapestry had always held over her very spirit. All Nora’s life, when she