Highland Barbarian Part 19

Instantly his friend was on his feet and moving toward them. Meredith happened to glance over Brice's shoulder toward the place where Holden Mackay was sitting. On his face was a look so dark, so filled with fury, she nearly trembled.

"Dance with the lady," Brice said, handing her over to the surprised Angus.

Without another word Brice turned away and left the room.

Behind him, Meredith lifted her chin, determined not to watch his retreating back. But against her will her gaze locked on him, following his every move. In silence she endured the dance with Angus Gordon.

Jamie, too, watched as his hero retreated. There was nothing the man did that Jamie did not wish to imitate.

Across the room, the queen saw the way Brice stormed away. She saw also the way Meredith's gaze fastened on him, following him until he was out of sight.

And while the queen watched with avid interest, a slow smile of understanding touched her lips.

By late afternoon the queen and her company prepared to depart.

Before leaving, she sent a servant to fetch Meredith.

The queen received her guest in the cozy library and Meredith was reminded of her earlier embarra.s.sment when she had fallen out of the armoire into Brice's arms.

Her cheeks took on a becoming shade of pink.

"You have decided to take me with you. Majesty?"

The queen shook her head.

"I would not impose my will upon an old friend. Whatever Brice Campbell has in mind, I trust his judgment."

She saw Meredith's face fall at the news.

"But at the table..."

"At the table, I was having fun at Brice's expense." To ease Meredith's pain she added softly,

"But know this. Though his quick temper and skill with a broadsword are legend, Brice is a fine and honorable man. Although he bears a grudge against the MacKenzies, he will see that no harm comes to you."

No harm? What of the feelings he aroused in her? Feelings she had never even known existed within her? She trembled just thinking about the way she had nearly melted into his arms when they danced. And that kiss. It was no more than the brush of a b.u.t.terfly's wings. And yet it had caused her heart to pound so loudly in her chest she had feared the others must surely have heard. G.o.d in heaven; what was to become of her?

Meredith felt a sudden wave of despair. Was she to be left to languish in this prison forever?

"I wish to go home, Majesty."

"Aye. Home." Mary Stuart heard the plea with a woman's heart. Did she not still think of France as her home? And did she not yearn to return to the opulence, the gaiety, of the French Court? The grim tone of Scotland since the popularity of John Knox was depressing to a woman like Mary.

"I have no doubt that you will soon be returned to your home, Meredith.

But until Brice makes that decision, I am loath to intervene. Your future lies in his hands."

Mary stood, effectively dismissing Meredith. And although the young woman yearned to throw herself into the queen's arms and beg for her intercession in this matter, her pride would not allow it. She stood, head held high, spine stiff, as the queen summoned Brice to escort her from the castle.

With her hand upon Brice's arm, the queen swept along the hall and into the courtyard. Behind her trailed the men and women of her hunting party. And behind them Meredith walked between Angus and Jamie.

As Brice helped the queen into the saddle, she stared over the heads of the crowd until her gaze came to rest upon the young prisoner.

"I.

think, Brice, that you have captured more than you bargained for. In that one, you may have a wildcat by the tail."

She saw the thoughtfulness lurking in Brice's eyes behind the smile, though he said nothing.

Queen Mary gave a knowing look.

"Farewell, my friend. I hope to see you soon in Edinburgh."

"The name of Campbell is not well received these days in the Lowlands."

The queen's eyes sparkled.

"You are also the Earl of Kinloch. That makes you the queen's protector and a member of her Council."

"That t.i.tle was my father's," Brice said softly.

"It died with him. I am simply Brice Campbell."

Her tone was soft.

"You are--simply one of my dearest friends." Her voice grew firm.

"Despite what others say, a Campbell is always welcome in the home of the queen." Mary urged her dancing steed into a trot.

With a clatter of hooves the queen's hunting party followed their monarch across the courtyard and along the forest path. When they were no longer visible, Brice turned to find Meredith watching their departure with a look of naked hunger in her eyes. He felt her pain, sharp and swift, for he knew what it was to miss his home.

"Come," he said in a tone softer than he'd intended. "They could be the last visitors we shall entertain for a long time."

"Do you not find it lonely here in the Highlands?"

Brice offered his arm and she placed her hand upon it. Instantly he felt the rush of heat and marveled that this woman could be the cause of such discomfort.

"I have never felt lonely here."

He led her to the library and instructed a servant to bring two goblets of wine. Pulling the settle close to the fire he indicated that she should sit, while he chose to stand beside the fireplace.

His arm rested along the mantel.

"Have you never known loneliness?" Meredith asked.

"Aye." He accepted a goblet of wine and sipped.

"I accompanied the queen to France. Those were the loneliest days of my life."

"Why did you go?"