more!'
Then the winter suddenly became harsh, and snow followed upon snow. Work was halted on the warehouses and docks until the spring thaw. Then in early summer, the plague visited London and the Leslies and their household fled to the country. By the time it was safe to return to the city, it was autumn again, and they were forced to spend another winter in England.
With the spring of 1582, Cat knew she was pregnant. They remained in England until the child was born, on September 7. Elizabeth Leslie, named for the queen, had managed to be born on her majesty's forty-ninth birthday. The queen insisted on serving as the baby's godmother when she was christened, four days later. The frightened Roman Catholic priest dared not say no to the queen. The baby received from her godmother a dozen silver goblets encrusted with aquamarines and engraved with the Leslie coat of arms.
Little Bess had been born in the country house. A month later, without ever seeing London, she set off home to Scotland with her parents and her four-and-a-half-year-old brother, who rode north on his own pony.
They crossed the border in a month. It was early November, but the day was mild and lovely. Cat and Patrick rode on ahead of their train, stopping on the crest of a hill. The birches seemed more golden and the pines greener than anywhere else on earth. Below them the valley shimmered in the faint purple haze of late afternoon. To the west was Hermitage, home to the Earls of Bothwell. Ahead of them lay Jedburgh, where they would shelter tonight.
'My God!' said Patrick. 'Is it my imagination, or does even the air smell sweeter?'
Cat nodded and smiled up at him. She had enjoyed the trip, but her face radiated joy at coming home to Scotland.
'Almost home, sweetheart,' he said. 'If the weather holds we'll be in Glenkirk in another ten days.' He held out a hand. She smiled again, and took it. My God, he thought! How she has changed! I took a girl to England, and I brought back a woman-a beautiful woman! 'Will ye be sorry to be away from London, and court?' he asked her.
'Nay, Patrick. I'm too glad to be home.'
'Glenkirk will nae be as exciting after London.'
'But, Patrick! There's Edinburgh, and the king will be seventeen next year, and surely be coming into his own soon. Once he weds we'll hae our own court.'
'Madame!' he roared. 'I hae told ye we'll nae involve ourselves wi the Stewarts! They are nae to be trusted and forever in debt! We dinna need them. Ye'll not wheedle me in this matter.'
Her lovely month was turning up at the corners in a very mischievous smile. 'When the king comes into his own, Patrick, I am going to court! Whether ye come wi me or not is yer concern. I will remind ye, my dearest lord, that Glenkirk House belongs to me. I have nae furnished it at great personal expense to visit it for a month once every year or two, as pleases you. Nor did I furnish it for our relations to use while I sit home at Glenkirk. Adam has promised Fiona that she'll go to Jamie's court, and ye can do no less for me!'
So saying, she kicked Bana and cantered down into the purple valley.
The Earl of Glenkirk kicked his own horse and galloped off after his beautiful, wayward wife.
PART II. THE KING
THE KING
Chapter 14
JAMES Stewart, sixth of his name and King of Scotland, lounged on his throne, watching the dancers. He followed one lady in particular, Catriona Leslie, Countess of Glenkirk. She was partnered by the king's distant cousin, Patrick Leslie, the Earl of Glenkirk. Catriona Leslie was the most beautiful woman at James' court. She was also reputed to be the most virtuous. This was unfortunate, because the king lusted for her. And what James Stewart wanted, he got. One way or another.
James Stewart had not known his mother, having been left behind when she fled to England. He had been raised by a series of warring Protestant nobles who used him as a pawn to further their own ambitions. They believed they had taught him to hate his mother. But here they had been outwitted by his old nurse.
Nanny had adored Mary Stewart, and when James' tutor spoke vitriol against the unfortunate captive queen, Nanny had countered with her own version of the truth. For the child's peace of mind, it was fortunate that her stories had been more plausible than his tutor's. The little boy asked the old lady about the references to his mother's affairs, and was told only that women were weak when it came to men. He did not understand that until he was fourteen.
Though he had long outgrown Nanny, she remained with him and saw to his comfort. James' guardians discovered it was cheaper to keep the old nurse than employ a bevy of housemaids.
Nanny saw the young boy's affections moving in a dangerous direction with the arrival of Esme Stewart, Sieur D'Aubigney, from France. Fortunately, Esme Stewart was merely ambitious, and Nanny saw her laddie safely embarked upon his sexual career by introducing him to a pretty, skilled, disease-free young whore. The whore's name was Betty, and she was honored to initiate her young king in the arts of lovemaking. He proved an excellent pupil.
Betty was a member of the old kirk, and it amused her to outwit the pious hypocrites of the stem, cold new kirk. These men preached about the sins of the flesh on Sunday morning and came masked to her door on Sunday afternoon.
James, too, enjoyed outwitting bis guardians. James was a Stewart on both his dead parents' sides, and Stewarts were quite sensual. He discovered a world of delights, and understood Nanny's comment about women being weak over men. James liked women.
James Stewart was twenty-three, and king. Tomorrow he would be married by proxy to a beautiful blond blue- eyed Danish princess named Anna. It would, however, be some weeks before he saw his sixteen-year-old bride and consummated that marriage. If he was to be married by proxy, James reasoned, then he must have his wedding night by proxy also.
The idea pleased him, but no whore could substitute for his royal virgin bride. It would not be fitting. Nor would it be kind to begin an affair with an impressionable young girl. His gaze strayed again to Catriona Leslie, who was laughing up at her husband. Yes! The most virtuous woman at court would be a fitting proxy.
There were problems, however. He had twice approached Catriona. The first time she had thought him joking, and teasingly reminded him that she was older than he was. The second time she realized his serious intent, and gently reminded him of her marriage vows. She would not, she told him firmly, break them. She loved her husband, and would bring no shame to his name.
Another man might have bowed and withdrawn gracefully. But James Stewart was not such a man. He knew, of course, that he could go to Patrick Leslie and tell him he wanted his wife. His cousin, head of the smallest yet wealthiest branch of the Leslies, could be counted upon to do the correct thing and turn a blind eye while the king dallied with his wife. James, however, liked his older cousin, and saw no reason to hurt him. The Earl of Glenkirk was a fiercely proud man. If the king wanted his wife he would have to acquiese, but he would never really be happy with Cat again.
But if Patrick Leslie were out of the way, then Catriona could be made to comply. It would be done secretly, so as not to harm the lady's reputation or her husband's ego. But it would be done. James wanted a taste of that which had held Patrick Leslie's unwavering interest for nine years. He was going to have it.
