The Kadin - Bertrice Small [170]
“Let me look at you, Sir Charles Leslie. You’re a giant and you do look like your grandfather!”
Holding her by the shoulders, Charles looked down into her face. “And you, mother, you are the same! But how do you come to be here?”
“I will tell you in private, my son. Like you, my true identity is secret from all but your uncle.”
He nodded, and then his eyes strayed to the two cloaked figures emerging from the cabin. With a whoop he descended upon them and grabbing the smaller of the two he swung her up with a shout.
“Marian! You’re here, tool”
She shrieked. “Put me down, you great oaf!”
He lowered her to the deck and with a loud smacking noise, kissed her on both cheeks.
“You haven’t changed at all since you were six,” she sniffed, reaching for her handkerchief.
“Neither have you, you exotic creature!”
Marian slapped at him playfully, “Greet your old playmate, Ruth, you mannerless boob,” she commanded.
He turned to the young woman who was standing next to Marian. “Why, Ruth,” he gently pushed the hood from her face, “how pretty you’ve become.” Kissing the blushing girl’s cheek he smiled down at her. “Welcome to Scotland”
“Thank you, my lord”
“Enough,” interrupted Adam Leslie. “Let us go. I must get to Edinburgh today and report to his majesty. You have arranged for transportation, Charles?”
“I was not expecting mother, uncle. Your horse is waiting, but I will have to arrange something for mother.”
“No need my lord” said Captain Kerr, who had been standing waiting to bid farewell to his passengers. “Madame,” he bent over Janet’s hand “allow me to offer you my own horse for your trip into Edinburgh. If you’ll tell me where you are staying, I will send a wagon along later with your baggage and your serving women.”
Janet looked to her son.
“My mother will be staying at the Rose and Thistle, captain. I thank you for the loan of your mount We shall see he is safely returned”
The distance between Leith and Edinburgh was a short one. It seemed to Janet that little had changed during her absence, but one thing she did note—the Scots capital was more bustling. When she had left Scotland James IV had been king. Now his son, young James V, ruled
Upon arriving in Edinburgh, Adam dispatched a messenger to his wife with the news that his search for his sister had been successful, and that Janet would be staying with them at Glenkirk. Then, he went to report to the king.
When Adam returned from court to the inn where Janet was staying, he brought an invitation for his sister to meet the young king. Janet could not refuse, but Adam was distressed. His sister laughed at him.
“It would seem strange if you tried to hide me, Adam, If you stick to our story, no one will know my ‘shameful’ past”
Charles laughingly agreed with his mother and personally escorted her to James’ reception. She took the court by storm. She wore a low-cut black velvet gown, the floral design on the bodice embroidered in pearls and gold thread. Her gold tissue underskirt glittered with rubies and pearls, as did the white silk showing through the slashes in her gold embroidered sleeves, the wrists of which were edged in fine, wide, Venetian lace. Around the base of her neck was a flat necklace made of alternating gold squares each with a ruby center. From the center square hung a large gold and ruby square with a large teardrop pearl. A second necklace, similar to the first but without the pendant, hung below the other into her bodice.
Her hair, parted in the center, was hidden beneath a beautiful cap matching her gown. It was set half way back on her head and from it flowed a sheer black silk veil.
The king was enchanted. Lady Leslie might be old enough to be his mother, but by God she was a beauty! Half-Stewart, half-Tudor, James would not have been his lusty parents’ son had he not made an overture.
Putting her slender hand on his, Janet smiled warmly up into his eyes. “My lord, were I ten years younger I should seriously consider your offer. As it is I am extremely honored by Your Majesty’s kind