I nodded. “Thank you.”
At that, the attendant left.
Rising, I went to the men.
“Gentlemen, please come and take a seat by the fire,” I said.
At that, Gordon, who’d been standing nearby, still uncertain about what he should be doing, leaped into action. Working quickly, he moved other seats near the hearth. When he caught my eye, he smiled.
“Lady Gruoch, it is good of you to see us. I am Wattles, special counselor to Que—Lady Suthen. My companions, Sir Lamont and Lord Billingsly,” he said, motioning to the others.
“Please, gentlemen, take your rest. I apologize for the delay, we’ve only just arrived.”
“Yes, my lady,” Sir Lamont said. I heard the tone of annoyance in his voice. He eyed me over, glancing at my armor with disgust on his face.
I set my hand on the hilt of Uald’s Gift.
The move caught the man’s attention.
Sir Lamont, who was undoubtedly part of Lord Siward’s entourage, met my gaze. I held his glance until he looked away.
“Kind of you, so kind of you,” Lord Billingsly said as he took his seat.
I motioned for the others to sit. I also took my seat near the fire. Killian and three other guards took positions not far from me. I cast a glance around the room. Both doors were now guarded, and the rest of the men were stationed around the hall. No matter how Sir Lamont felt about me, he undoubtedly would not tempt steel.
“My lady,” Wattles began, “Lady Suthen implored us to come to Scone to appeal to you directly. War is fought between men. Mothers cherish something quite different. Young Malcolm is with his mother, but Donaldbane…” he said then paused, waiting to see what I already knew.
“He’s not with his mother as well?” I asked, the lie making my mouth feel dry.
“No, my lady. Perhaps you don’t know. Young Donaldbane showed an interest in godly things. He was in Iona studying with the holy brothers. He was abducted from Iona by the Irish king. Lady Suthen has sent us to ask for your help in getting her son back.”
I raised an eyebrow then turned to the fire. “And why doesn’t Earl Siward send an envoy? Perhaps Harthacnut can be of help.”
Sir Lamont exhaled heavily but said nothing.
“The Irish king has no interest in what Suthen has to offer. And Earl Siward…. To be frank, my lady, Earl Siward is not presently in a position to be of use to the Irish king. Whereas, you….” Lord Billingsly opened his hands wide to indicate the matter was obvious.
“Lady Suthen spoke highly of you, Lady Gruoch,” Wattles said. “She asked me to send her personal pleas, one mother to another, with a soft reminder that Donaldbane is your second cousin.”
I nodded then considered their words. I had no doubt that Suthen worried for her son, but there were other cards being played here. If I delivered Donaldbane to Suthen, I might as well cut Lulach’s throat. But if I rescued him and fostered the boy myself, then Suthen’s son would be raised as an ally to Lulach. Suthen wanted her son safe, but there were many different kinds of safety. One way or another, she would see one of her two boys close to the throne. Suthen knew that if I fostered Donaldbane, he would still have a chance even if Siward never managed to topple Macbeth and me.
“Please assure Lady Suthen that I will do my best to see to Donaldbane’s safe return. I understand her well and will do what I can. Tell Lady Suthen that I will send word as soon as I have news of her son.”
“I wish all troubles could be handled with such ease and grace,” Wattles said.
Lord Billingsly nodded vigorously in agreement.
Sir Lamont continued to look dour.
“Well, perhaps if we had more queens ruling, they would be,” I said. “My men will see you out.”
At that, Wattles and Lord Billingsly rose, both of them bowing to me. Sir Lamont gave the briefest of nods then turned to go. The Moray men escorted them back to the door. I stood and watched as the gentlemen were escorted down the hall and away from the meeting room.
The door at the back of the hall opened and three maids carrying trays heaped with food—cheese, bread, and meat—and tankards of ale entered. My stomach growled hungrily.
“Come, Moray,” I called to the men. “It was a long ride to hear news on an empty stomach.”
“Aye, let’s see if the ale tastes any different under a new king,” one of the soldiers said.
“Under a new queen,” another corrected.
“Sirs,” one of the maids said, passing the drinks around. “Help yourselves. There’s plenty more.”
“Suppose they’d try to poison us?” one of the soldiers asked, sniffing the drink.
I looked at the maid who had gone absolutely pale at the suggestion. “No. Of course not. I poured it with my own hand and…and had a drink myself to steady my nerves.”
I chuckled. “And she looks quite well. I think we’re safe.” I lifted one of the tankards. “What shall we toast?” I asked the others.
“You, my lady,” Killian said, taking a tankard. “To our new queen, who will be a fair and just ruler.”
I inclined my head to him.
“To Queen Gruoch,” Killian called.
“To Queen Gruoch,” the men answered.
I lifted the tankard and took a sip. When I did so, I felt eyes on me. I lifted my gaze for just a moment to see Killian studying me, his dark blue eyes resting on my face. He smiled softly, raised his cup in toast, and took a drink.
Surprising even myself, my stomach twinged with girlish softness in response to his heavy gaze. He was handsome, but I was married three times over. It hardly mattered how attractive he was.
My cheeks flushed red.
Really, Gruoch. How absurd, I chided myself.
But the thought lingered nonetheless.
Chapter 8
In the days that followed, we settled in and began our preparations for the crowning. With the place bustling with news and people—most of whom I did not know and did not trust—I was relieved when the first of two very welcomed visitors arrived.
There was a knock on the door followed by the call, “Corbie?”
A moment later, Madelaine pushed opened the door and rushed into the room, an excited smile on her face.
Outside my door, I caught sight of Killian who gave me a knowing wink then closed the door behind her.
“Lady Madelaine,” Tira said, then curtsied.
Rhona, who had been in the adjoining room, joined us. “My lady.”
“What a welcome sight you all are,” Madelaine said as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a tight squeeze. “Corbie! Your hair,” she said when she pulled back. She touched my short locks. “What happened?”
“For the Morrigu.”
“I won’t begrudge the dark lady her sacrifice, but now we’ll have to work some magic of our own for the coronation. Oh, my little raven. Now, where is Lulach?” Madelaine asked, looking around, a confused expression on her face.
“My lady, shall Tira and I bring you and Lady Madelaine some refreshment?” Rhona asked, motioning to Tira. Clearly, Rhona understood I needed to speak privately with Madelaine.
I nodded. “Yes. Please.”
Tira looked a bit confused, but Rhona dragged her out the door behind her.
I went to the window and looked out. The yard was busy. As much as I had hoped that the crowning would end quickly, and I could return to Cawdor—with Banquo—it was beginning to look like the politics of the country were sloshing their way toward me. I was surrounded by news and need. Every day, visitors arrived to meet with Macbeth or me. There was struggle, hunger, and strife in every corner of Scotland. Dealing with all of it was exhausting. What Duncan had been doing all these years, I had no idea. But he had not been ruling. At least, not well.