Quest of the Highlander (Crowns & Kilts #5) - Cynthia Wright Page 0,34
the king rode to his little son’s bedside. Barely an hour later, the newborn Prince Arthur became feverish. By the next nightfall, both babes were dead, though of course those of us in Falkland did not learn of Prince James’s passing until later.”
“Our poor queen,” Nora murmured.
“My heart aches for her,” agreed Fiona. “I cannot imagine her pain. How could such a thing happen to both princes, in different castles? Is it not chilling?”
“Aye,” Lennox replied grimly. “It is hard not to suspect foul play, though there is no proof.”
“Who would do such a terrible thing? It’s beyond imagining!” Fiona exclaimed.
Lennox lifted a strong shoulder up in a half-shrug and sadly shook his head. “There are many noblemen who stand to gain power if the heirs to the throne are removed. Some within the royal court whisper of poison.” He reached out to touch his sister’s arm. “The queen is a strong woman. This tragedy will not break her. Frankly, it is King James who I worry about. He looks truly haunted.”
Fiona nodded slowly. “His Majesty has always been prone to melancholy.”
“I was fortunate to share a brief interlude with Queen Mary, shortly before her sons fell ill,” Lennox said pensively, looking first at his sister then at Nora. His gaze held rare depths for a man, she thought. “Walking back to the palace one afternoon, I came upon the queen, sitting in the gallery with her newborn son. I had my chalks and paper, so I asked if I might sketch them. To my surprise, she agreed. I rather quickly made a likeness of them together, with a small sketch of Prince Arthur’s face in one corner. The queen was very taken with the drawing and asked if she might keep it, as a memento of the afternoon when she broke the rules, holding her swaddled babe and sitting outside in the sunshine with him.”
Nora’s heart ached as she listened and imagined Queen Mary looking at the sketch now that Prince Arthur was dead. “It is doubtless her only lasting keepsake of her newborn son,” she whispered.
“Aye. Thank God I happened upon them.”
Fiona went closer to Lennox and rested her head on his broad chest. “You are a good man, even though your urge to save those in need can sometimes get you in trouble. I’m very proud to call you my brother.” She paused to lean back and give him what seemed to be a particularly meaningful look. “How good it is to have you back with us at Stirling.”
Nora felt this, too. The very presence of this man brought her a much-needed sense of calm and safety, as if he could somehow shield her from harm.
“That’s another thing I came to tell you, Fi,” Lennox said tentatively. “I cannot stay. I will be leaving Stirling at first light, bound for Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull. I’ll explain it all when we dine tonight, but know that I must go, hoping to find there the answers I seek.”
Nora watched them exchange glances, sighing to herself. How lovely it must be to have a real family—loved ones who would rally round in times of trouble and support one another. Then Lennox’s words sank in. The Isle of Mull! She was surprised at her own deep reaction to the news that he would be leaving again so soon.
“But you will come back?” Nora asked impulsively.
Lennox gave her a rueful smile. “I had been looking forward to spending more time here in this workroom, learning more about your art. But unfortunately I cannot stay, and I do not know when or if I will return to Stirling.”
* * *
Midnight was at hand when Lennox undressed in a beam of moonlight and got into bed. His small room was referred to as a closet, and the bed was too short for his long frame, with a straw-filled tick set upon loosely-strung ropes. It would have been tempting to spread his blanket on the rush-strewn floor and lie there if it were not too much trouble. He was simply too weary.
The evening had been filled with family conversation, as Lennox told Fiona, Christophe, and Grant about his time at Falkland Palace and his conversation with Aunt Tess. He’d hoped Fi might have an inkling what their mother had been doing at Duart Castle, but she was as surprised as he was.
Lying now in the darkness, Lennox let his thoughts drift back to Nora Brodie. He’d been visited by erotic dreams of