Page 30 of Kilty Until Proven Innocent
The Queen hummed as she watched Avaline trying to pull apart two grandmothers. “So, Drummond is angry at you?”
“He is…” How to explain? “He trusted me, if only for a little while. And I manipulated him and betrayed him.”
“But only because ‘twas your mission,” the Queen pointed out calmly. “Orders from me. And besides that, you had a relationship with him long before I ordered you to get close to him to find out what you could.”
Aye, that was true. But would Drum believe that? “But that day…”
“Ah.” A pause. “You becameveryclose to him, I would imagine.”
Brigit snorted, then nodded. Aye, one might say that.
“What has he said?”
“Naught, Yer Majesty. He’s avoided me and I’ve avoided him.”
“What?” She rounded on Brigit incredulously. “But yousavedhim! Does he not realize that? One moment.” She glanced at the board long enough to call, “Rook F8 to F7, please, quickly,” before swinging back to Brigit. “He has been exonerated, thanks to your efforts, and is now on the same assignmentyouare. You have had no luck in finding the true assailant?”
Stiffly, Brigit shook her head. “Nay, Yer Majesty. My investigations are turning up naught.”
“And he has had no success either, or at least none he’s reported to my husband. Queen G5 to…H4, yes!” She glanced down at Brigit. “Who knows what efforts he is having alone?”
Brigit considered those words as the game continued, then—in a lull while Avaline broke up another fight—ventured, “I dinnae understand what ye mean, Yer Majesty.”
“Just that it is possible he works better withyouthan he did alone. Bishop G4 to H3! Have you considered that?”
She…hadn’t. “Just as I do?”
“Hmmm. Whoknowswhat he is doing, flopping about on his own, without you. Queen H4 to G3!”
“But, Yer Majesty, he doesnae want to see me.”
The Queen’s attention was on the game as the lady playing the white king moved out of the way of the black queen’s danger. “Do you know that for certes?”
Squeezing her eyes shut, Brigit remembered the way Drum had glared at her a week ago as themonarchs ate dinner. She remembered the rage in his eyes, the hurt in his tone. “Aye,” she whispered, voice ragged. “I do.”
“Well, that is too bad.” The Queen raised her voice. “Queen G3 to F2. Check!”
“King E2 to D1” said Avaline with a defeated sigh.
“Queen F2 to C2!” the Queen called in excitement. “Checkmate!”
As the ladies—both those in the game and those engaged in bonking one another with their chess hats on the sidelines—cheered, Brigit tried to rally some good spirits.
“Congratulations, Yer Majesty.”
“Piffle.”
Brigit blinked. “Bless ye? Was that a sneeze?”
“No, it is a dismissive word meaning I am brushing off your praise.” The monarch lowered her voice and leaned closer. “Avaline is brilliant at command but lacks something when it comes to chess mastery. Now, what were we talking about before I thoroughly trounced her? Oh yes, your—”
“He’s no’ mine,” Brigit interrupted.No’ anymore.
“Yes, well, you would like him to be.”
Since the Queen was looking at her—trulylooking at her, not focused on her court, Brigit couldn’t brush off the question. She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and told the truth. “I think I love him.”
“Brava!” Her Majesty cried, grabbing Brigit’s shoulders and tugging her closer to press a kiss on each cheek. “I am so happy for you, dear.”
