Quest of the Highlander (Crowns & Kilts #5) - Cynthia Wright Page 0,119
one knee while Ada beamed at them from a nearby stool. From time to time, she said something in a low voice and William replied.
“Ye may go,” Lennox said to Grant. “There’s a lass who was looking for ye in the outer hall. Barbara?”
“Oh aye!” Grant’s eyes opened wide. “I’d better discover what she might need.”
As the lad turned and rushed away, Lennox shifted the medallion in his arms and looked for Nora.
“I’m here,” she called, peeking around one corner of the loom.
They met each other halfway. Lennox inclined his head toward her parents and said dryly, “What’s that all about then? Your da seems besotted.”
She glanced heavenward. “Yes, quite. But I must confess I’m very happy to see them together like this.”
“Ye don’t mind if he forgets about his work?”
“No. In a way, it’s easier,” she said in a confidential tone. “I don’t have to defer to him or correct the mistakes he sometimes makes.”
“Then ye are already master weaver, by default.” He set the medallion down on her worktable. “What do ye think of this head I’m about to paint? It’s James V.”
“Oh, yes, it’s a perfect likeness!” She studied the carved likeness Lennox had designed of the Scots king, nodding. Bayard had done the carving, expertly depicting his sad eyes, short beard, and hands clasped in an attitude of majesty. “How pleased he will be to see it.”
“I hope so.” Lennox felt deep sympathy for the despondent king. “I thought to make his clothing crimson and gold, the Stewart colors.”
“Those are perfect choices. It will be magnificent,” she said, nodding.
Their eyes met, and he yearned to take her in his arms. Nora grew more lovely by the day, Lennox thought, her burnished curls shining, her face aglow, her body appealingly lush since she had become a mother. In a low voice, he suggested, “Perhaps we should go somewhere and talk. Don’t ye have a new question about the tapestry pattern to put to me?”
“I might…” Nora leaned closer, tipping her head back as she smiled.
“Do ye, now?” Lennox laughed softly. “I can think of something I’d like to put to ye as well.”
“You are very wicked, sir.” She pretended to look shocked. “One of the many reasons I enjoy having Mama here is that she loves to take care of Brienne, thus allowing us more time alone.”
Lennox imagined having Nora in their bed, undistracted by the chance that Brienne might hear them. Perhaps there would even be enough time to divest her of her gown and kirtle so they might make love properly. Nora was looking at him as if she would like that very much.
“Let’s be away, lass.” Arching a brow, he reached for her hand. “Quickly, before ye change your mind.”
Before they could turn to leave, Lennox heard footsteps, and a tall female figure appeared in the doorway.
“Lennox MacLeod, there you are at last! I’ve searched this entire castle.” His Aunt Tess stood before them, richly garbed in emerald green and a gem-studded gable hood.
“What a fine surprise.” Lennox tried to summon the proper enthusiasm as he embraced his aunt. Turning back to Nora, he introduced the two women.
“I am very pleased to meet you at last, my lady. Please, do come and sit down,” said Nora, gesturing toward a nearby bench.
Tess looked her over approvingly. “Fiona has written to me all about your adventures with my nephew.” She sent Lennox a reproachful glance. “I expected a visit from you, telling me everything that you learned about Eleanor, but no doubt you have been too busy. Thank goodness for your sister.”
“Ah, men,” Nora rejoined. “Aren’t they all the same?”
Tess nodded approval. “Indeed.”
Lennox held up both hands in mock defense. “Surely ye have not come to Stirling simply to scold me for being a man!” Sensing that his aunt was avoiding a more serious subject, he continued, “I would not have expected ye to journey here from Linlithgow now, when Her Majesty is about to deliver a child.” Even as he spoke, he felt a strange chill of foreboding. “I hope nothing is amiss.”
“Indeed, I do come on a sad errand.” Suddenly Tess looked as if she might weep. “I have just spoken to Fiona and Christophe. I bring two pieces of news that are shaking all of Scotland.” At that, Nora brought her a cup of wine, and Tess took a long drink. Her tone then became deeply serious. “On the sixth day of December, our queen was delivered of a healthy babe. A girl,