Page 21 of Highland Queen

“Thank you,” I told her.

The girl quickly mopped the water off the table then turned and ran off.

I turned and looked around the room. The chamber, which only a few moments ago had been a hodgepodge of chairs and tables, had already started to look like a formal meeting hall. I went to the hearth. There was a bright, cheery glow in the fire. I grabbed a chair and slid it toward the fireplace.

“Lady Gruoch,” one of the servants called, rushing to my side. He grabbed the chair. “Please, allow me.”

“I was just moving it closer to the fire. I still have some chill from the road,” I told the lad who stared at me.

“Of course. But let me. You shouldn’t be lifting chairs, my lady,” the boy said, gently taking the chair from my hands and setting it before the fireplace.

The two maids who’d been working on the fire quickly tidied up the kindling then rose, scrambling to get out of the way.

“My lady,” the boy said, adjusting the chair for me.

I looked from him to the maids. A half-laugh bubbled from my lips.

“My lady?” the boy whispered. “Is there anything wrong?”

The two maids looked at one another, worry in their eyes.

I shook my head. “No. Nothing at all. It’s only…my gods…do they really not move their own chairs? How absurd. No wonder my father was never at court. Thank you all for your quick and hard work. The room looks wonderful, and the hearth is warm. Thank you all so much.”

The servants looked at one another, seeming unsure what to say.

“My lady,” the first maid said, bobbing a curtsey which the second maid awkwardly mirrored. The pair rushed from the room.

I smiled at the boy who’d helped me with my seat.

“My lady. I’m not sure if I should offer to help with anything else or not,” he said with a smile.

“I’m well. Thank you. What is your name, lad?”

“Gordon, my lady.”

“Thank you, Gordon. You moved the chair most excellently.”

The Moray guard chuckled lightly.

I lowered myself into the seat and looked at the fire. Madelaine. Madelaine needed to come soon because there was no way I was going to be able to navigate this alone. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the fire on my face. My back ached. It felt good to sit.

I would be queen.

This was how queens were treated.

This was how other queens were treated. Not me.

“My lady,” the attendant called.

I opened my eyes to see a group of three well-dressed men at the door. They frowned, their expressions sour, as Killian disarmed them.

The attendant crossed the room, the two pages following along behind him. “These boys will run messages, errands as needed. I will send a secretary as soon as I can find one.”

I shook my head. “No need. These boys will do for now.”

“Oh. Well. Very good. I will go see to Lord Macbeth now.”

“Is his council chamber close by?”

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