Page 20 of Highland Queen

Motioning to the Moray men, I turned and followed the man back into the abbey.

It was strange to walk the same halls I traversed when I’d come to see Duncan crowned. Everything had been about pageantry. Beautiful lords and ladies roamed the halls looking like walking decorations. The place had been adorned with flowers, garland, and silks. Now, everywhere I looked, I saw steel. Macbeth and I had won through bloodshed.

But the difference was a good thing.

I had no use for frills and false faces and endless discussions on the weather.

England was unsettled.

The southern Scottish lords were unsettled.

Our people were poor and uneducated.

The country was weak in commerce.

Duncan had made no allies abroad save England.

There was much work to be done.

The attendant led me to a chamber where servants were busy shifting tables, building up the fire, or washing down furniture.

“Will this suit you, Lady Gruoch?” the man asked.

I eyed the place. There were two doors, one that entered by the main hallway and another at the back of the room.

“Where does that door go?” I asked. I motioned for one of the Moray men to investigate.

“To the hallway on the west side of the abbey,” the attendant said.

“You said I had messages? Riders?”

“Yes, my lady,” he said then turned and motioned to two boys who carried satchels full of scrolls.

“Anything from Fife?” I asked.

“No, my lady, but there is a special envoy waiting for you—in particular.”

“An envoy?”

“From Que—Lady Suthen.”

“Bring them in,” I said.

“But, my lady, you’ve just come in from the road. Surely, they can wait until you’ve taken some refreshment, some rest…”

“I said bring them in,” I repeated, my voice sharp.

The man nodded. “I’ll go get them now.”

I turned to the Moray men. “Killian, check everyone for weapons. No one comes in without being disarmed.”

“Yes, my lady.”

A table had been set at the front of the room. A maid busily washed it down while the others finished setting up the space. I went to the girl.

“Lass, I know you’re busy, but will you see to it some refreshment is brought for my men. Some ale and bread. Whatever there is to be had.”

The girl paused mid-wipe and looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Ye-yes, my lady. Of course.”

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