Highland Barbarian Part 16

"Hurry. Brice promised us an hour. It will soon be time to sup with the others."

In a daze Meredith stood helplessly as the women, caught up in the queen's plan, removed her gown and kid slippers and replaced them with the queen's jeweled burgundy velvet hunting outfit and high kid boots.

While Mary Seton laced the boots, Mary Livingstone brushed Meredith's hair and dressed it in the identical fas.h.i.+on to the queen's.

Meanwhile the queen was dressed in Meredith's white gown and kid slippers. Her plaited hair was brushed loose, falling in crimped waves to her waist.

When both women were ready, they walked to a looking gla.s.s, where they stood side by side and examined their' appearance. ; "Something is wrong," Mary Fleming said softly.

"It is the eyes. Anyone seeing Meredith's green eyes would know that she was not the queen."

"A veil," the queen muttered.

"Of course." Fleming removed her veiled hunting toque and placed it upon Meredith's head.

The dark web like netting veiled her eyes and most of her upper face.

"Perfect." The queen studied the girl beside her, then stared at her own reflection.

"Do you not feel regal in my garb, Meredith?"

It took the young woman a moment to respond.

"Aye. It is a strange feeling to know that my queen is wearing my clothes and that I am wearing hers."

At a knock on the door they turned. Cara entered and curtsied before Meredith.

"My lord Campbell announces that a banquet has been prepared for Your Majesty."

Meredith was so stunned by the servant's reaction that she gave a little gasp and stepped back in surprise. The women around her giggled. Beside her the queen, dressed in the wilted wedding gown, was nearly doubled over with spasms of laughter. The poor girl, confused by the unexpected response to her announcement, bowed her way from the room, keeping her gaze lowered.

"You see," cried the queen.

"She never even looked up at you. She saw the gown, the auburn tresses, and believed that she was in the presence of the queen. Come,"

she called to Meredith and the others.

"We will enjoy Brice's feast and see who discovers our little joke first. Seton," she said suddenly.

"I am betting a gold sovereign that our deception will not be discovered until after the first course of our banquet."

"Aye, Majesty," Mary Seton said softly.

"I will take your bet."

"Majesty," Mary Fleming said discreetly.

"If you are to be believable, you must stand back and allow Meredith to lead the way. And you must a.s.sume the mannerisms of a hostage and set aside your usual strong will."

"Dear Flem. How clever of you." The queen stifled a laugh and stepped aside, allowing Meredith to take the lead.

Brice frowned, deep in thought, as he changed into clothes more appropriate for entertaining the queen. He had planned on returning to the Borders this day to search for Gareth MacKenzie. Once he rid the land of that villain, he would be free to return Meredith to her people. The sooner that was accomplished the better. She was proving to be a stronger distraction than he had antic.i.p.ated.

It was odd how his plans were constantly being changed by the whims of others.

At a summons from a servant he strode from the room.

The women were already a.s.sembled in the great hall along with Brice's men and the men from the queen's hunting party.

When Brice entered, Mary Fleming nudged Meredith. "Your Majesty will want to lead us to the banquet tables. Perhaps our host will be gracious enough to accompany you."

Brice offered his arm to his monarch and felt the small hand on his sleeve. As they led the merry group to the table he murmured,

"Did you find Meredith's tale entertaining?"

"Very," the voice beside him whispered.

"I hope you and the others did not shock her overmuch."

"And why would you say that?"

He placed a hand over hers and squeezed.

"Do not play the queenly role with your old friend. I know you and the other Maries better than anyone else could possibly know you. You say and do the most shocking things just to see the reaction of others."

When the woman beside him remained silent he studied her bowed head and was puzzled. From their earliest days together he had never known the queen to be at a loss for words, especially when being taken to task for something.

He brought his lips close to her ear and whispered,

"Just what have you and the others done this time?"

"Done?" With her head lowered she murmured,

"I fear I do not understand."

The queen was behaving in a most strange manner. Brice knew her well enough to know that it meant she was up to one of her tricks.

"Come," he urged, pausing while the others caught up. "Tell me, for I shall surely discover your game soon enough."

' "There is no game. I am merely overcome with hunger."

Brice, giving up for the moment, gave her a smile. "Then you shall enjoy a feast fit for royalty."

At the head of the table he held her chair, then seated himself at her right hand. As always the four Maries flocked around their monarch, interspersed with the men from their hunting party. At the far end of the table Brice noted that Meredith was seated between Angus Gordon and Jamie MacDonald, and though she kept her face averted, there was a smile on her lips. Odd. Until now, she had done nothing but scowl at him.

Crystal goblets were filled and Brice lifted his, exclaiming,

"To Mary, Queen of Scots."

"To Mary," repeated the entire company before lifting the goblets to their lips.