Page 56 of Highland Jewel
He’d admired her from a distance for much of his life. But in the flesh, she surpassed his expectation. Even dressed as she was in somber-colored traveling clothes, she stood out.
It was her energy, he decided. Petite and middle-aged, she was one of those individuals who appeared to be relaxed but moved with the constrained power of a coiled spring. He sensed that she would command attention in any situation and was not one to suffer fools gladly. But it was the eyes that told him everything about her. Constantly alert, taking in everything and everyone, measuring and assessing; they were the eyes of a survivor.
Two other men were to accompany Niall into the Highlands, and they were an odd pair. Owen Woelk was German, Niall had been told, though a person wouldn’t know it to speak to him. Tall and burly, the man—whohad to be in his sixties—sounded like he’d been born and raised in London. Related, somehow, to the queen, Woelk would represent her interests.
The other man, Lewis Rainey, would bear watching, Niall thought. Just past his prime, he was still lean and hard and jumpy as a terrier. He was one of those Highlanders who’d made his fortune in the shipping trade out of Halifax, which meant he’d played both sides of the law smuggling goods and probably arms during the series of wars against the French and the Americans. Living now on an estate outside of Inverness, he was a Mackintosh, Brougham had said, and that made Rainey invaluable to their mission.
“Your Majesty.” The lawyer made the introductions to the queen. “We’ve received word that the gentleman you wish to meet in the Highlands and his ship, theHighland Crown,are expected to arrive in Aberdeen sometime next month. From there, he’ll be sailing to Inverness.”
Brougham stopped as the queen waved him to silence. The men waited until she took a seat near the fire. She motioned to the rest of them to join her.
There was no small talk or casual conversation. She immediately started in on the business at hand.
“Mr. Brougham tells me that today is the first day you three gentlemen are meeting. Is that true?”
Niall glanced at his companions. Woelk was the first to reply, confirming it, and Rainey echoed his response.
“Mr. Brougham also assures me that you are all loyal to me, that you accept me as the queen of England.”
All of them in turn answered in the affirmative.
Caroline of Brunswick looked at each man, one by one. When she came to Niall, her gaze remained fixed on his face. “Your name again?”
He forced himself to empty his mind of the troublesthat had been dogging him for weeks. “Niall Campbell, Your Majesty.”
“Mr. Brougham tells me you’re a military man.”
“I served as a lieutenant in the 42nd Royal Highlanders regiment for a decade. I resigned my commission five months ago.”
“The Black Watch.” She sighed, sounding impressed. “Of course, you know the history of your regiment. You know of the mutiny.”
“Indeed, ma’am. In 1743, a hundred men deserted and set off to return to Scotland.”
“And what happened to them?”
“They were intercepted and, after some negotiations, surrendered,” Niall continued. “The deserters were tried by court martial and sentenced to death.”
She leaned toward him. There was no one in the room but the two of them. “Quite a legacy, sir. Are you willing to die for me?”
“I am, Your Majesty. Though I’d prefer to avoid it, if at all possible.”
The quirk of her lips indicated her satisfaction, but she immediately grew serious again. “Your bravery, in addition to your diplomacy, is critical on this journey. You are to make certain that the three of you arrive at Dalmigavie Castle unharmed.”
Niall hadn’t been told their destination until this moment. He wasn’t going to meet the son of Scotland in Aberdeen or Inverness or on the deck of his ship, but in a remote Mackintosh fortress, one of the strongest castles in the Highlands.
The queen directed her attention next at Lewis Rainey. “You are a Mackintosh.”
“Aye, ma’am, on my mother’s side. But I’m also a trusted colleague and cousin to Searc Mackintosh, who as you know is—”
“I know who Searc is.”
She clearly didn’t want Searc Mackintosh discussed, and Niall decided he needed to learn more about the man before they reached the Highlands.
“And it was on your ship that the son of Scotland found his love of the sea?”
“Nine years old, he was, when Searc handed him over to me and asked me to make a man of him. The lad was just a scrawny whelp…” He stopped.
Niall glanced at the queen. Her dark, displeased expression had shut the Highlander’s mouth.
