A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,44
the signal for her to rise. “Please keep me company.”
Laurel lowered herself onto the overstuffed pillow that laid beside the queen’s feet. Sitting there always reminded her of being a loyal hound. She understands that was precisely why the queen positioned as it was. It gave Queen Elizabeth a position of superiority, and it humbled whoever sat upon it. Laurel remained silent, awaiting whatever the queen would say about the scandal Laurel caused.
Keeping her voice exceptionally low, Queen Elizabeth said, “While I wouldn’t have advocated making such a public declaration, I am gladdened to know your future is with Laird Campbell. He will be a good husband to you, Lady Laurel. The two of you are well matched. You will challenge him to no end, I’m sure, but he will not begrudge you it. In fact, I suspect he rather enjoys it. He might have spent his life with a quite different woman than you, and I don’t think it would have been a happy match.”
“Do you mean Lady Eliza?” Laurel asked softly.
“You know of her?” Queen Elizabeth asked in surprise.
“Aye. Laird Campbell told me he’d exchanged vows with her, but she’d died before they made it a true marriage. He mentioned we were not much alike,” Laurel hedged.
Queen Elizabeth snickered. “Not much alike indeed. She was a nice lass, but mousy. I doubt that would have changed, no matter how long she lived or how long she served as Lady Campbell. The alliance would have been advantageous to the Campbells, but I fear the laird was shortsighted in his choice. His clan will not live and die by access to Loch Sween. They may live and die by who stands beside their laird. They are a powerful clan, and they need a lady with the gumption to stand beside her husband and against those who would threaten the clan. There are many who would.”
Laurel remained quiet, surprised to hear some of what Brodie shared with her being articulated by Queen Elizabeth. She wondered if the queen would say more, but when the conversation lulled, or rather the queen said nothing, Laurel wondered if she was dismissed. She didn’t dare stand, but she wasn’t certain what to do. She jumped when the queen spoke again.
“Lady Laurel, I anticipate your life being even more trying over the next several days. But it was easy enough to read Laird Campbell’s lips and the look in his eyes. You won’t avoid the rumors or the scornful looks, but I believe Laird Campbell will do what he can to shield you. But if you would heed my council, you’d do well to curb your tongue.”
“Aye, Your Grace,” Laurel replied.
“I’m certain the ladies will goad you. But remember, in the end, you are the one Laird Campbell chose. They may have caught you in…a delicate moment, but anyone with eyes will see soon enough that it is not just lust that lies between you two. Bear that in mind when they test you.”
Laurel looked up at the queen, shocked by the maternal and sage advice the older woman offered. Laurel recalled the queen had suffered great public scrutiny when she married King Robert, especially when she returned after eight years of imprisonment by the English King Edward Longshanks.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” With a nod, Queen Elizabeth dismissed Laurel, who stood then dipped into a low curtsy. As she made her way back to her stool and her book, she took in the faces that watched her suspiciously, those who gloated, and those who turned their noses up at her. She noticed Emelie and Blythe watching her, but neither woman had defended her that morning. Emelie had been less convinced than the others, but she’d hadn’t spoken on Laurel’s behalf. The sisters’ ease with which they turned from her hurt more than any rumor Sarah Anne or the others spread. She’d considered Emelie and Blythe her friends, and she’d defended them and their sister Isabella when people cast barbs at the younger women about Isa marrying a man who once served King Edward. With a sigh, she returned to her seat and returned to her book, but her attention wouldn’t settle on the words before her. Her mind conjured various scenarios that might be occurring in the Privy Council chamber as she pretended to read. Her belly ached as it clenched over and over. She practically threw the book aside when it was time for the ladies to dress for the evening meal.