Love Wild and Fair

bid him goodbye as he began his exile. She had thought never to see him again. Now she stood on this very beach ready to begin her own self-imposed exile.

An officer detached himself from his men and bowed over her hand. 'First Officer Malcolm More-Leslie at yer service, my lady. I am Hugh's son.'

'Yer Susan and May's older brother?'

'Aye, madame.'

'Is not the captain a More-Leslie?'

'Sandy. Alan's boy.'

'Good God, Conall, I certainly sail well protected by the family!'

'He would have wanted it that way,' Conall muttered fiercely.

Cat put out a hand and patted the older man's arm. 'Ye wanted to go wi him, eh, Conall?'

'Aye! But he'd nae hae it. 'Stay home, Conall,' he said. 'Who else can I trust to look after her?' '

'Christ, man! Dinna tell me this now at the moment of my departure!'

'Madame, if I dinna think he'd approve of this road ye take, I'd nae be here. But I am, and while 'tis in my hands, I'll keep ye safe.' And then he blushed beet-red as she stood on tiptoes and soundly kissed his cheek.

'God go wi ye, Conall,' she said, and joined Susan and May, who were already in the boat. Without further ado the small boat was on its way through the darkness to the New Venture. Then she was being swung up and out over the water, and when she opened her eyes again she was on the deck being greeted by the captain.

'I've put ye and yer lasses in my own cabin, my lady. Ye'll be more comfortable there,' he said.

'Thank ye, cousin,' she said, bringing a flush of pleasure to his ruddy face. He'd heard about Cat Leslie, and what a fine woman she was. Her acknowledgment of their relationship-however tenuous that relationship was- pleased him. Too, it brought him extra stature in the eyes of his men. 'Will ye take yer main meal wi me and my officers?' he asked.

'Gladly!'

The captain bowed. 'I’ll be about my business now, madame. Duncan will see ye safely to yer quarters.'

The New Venture was a big, sleek caravel of some eighty tons. She carried a full dozen guns, and had been designed for speed and maneuverability, yet generous cargo space. Her crew's quarters were dry, warm, and comfortable, outstanding for the times. There was a separate cook's area incorporated into the seamen's quarters so the men might have warm food or ale when they finished their duties. The Leslies demanded absolute obedience and loyalty from their sailors, but they paid them well and cared for them properly. Consequently, Leslie employees were the best.

Duncan, the ship's boy, led Cat and her two serving women to a large cabin high in the stern of the ship. Through the leaded and paned bow windows Cat could see that the stars had faded and the sky was growing lighter. The cabin was comfortably furnished, with a good-sized bed and two trundles. There were Turkey carpets on the floor, and velvet hangings at the bow windows and the two smaller ports. Beautiful brass lamps lit the room, and on an oak table stood two decanters of wine-one red, one gold.

'Could ye eat, m'lady?' asked Duncan.

'Is there any fruit aboard, lad?'

'Apples, ma'am, and some Seville oranges.'

'Bring both, and some hard cheese and bread.'

'Ohh, my lady,' said May plaintively, 'I'm starving! I could eat a big bowl of porridge, I surely could! Wi honey and clotted cream!'

Cat laughed at the girl. 'Not this morning, my lass. If ye would nae succumb to mal de mer ye will eat and drink sparingly this day.'

Later, when the two young women lay sleeping, Cat sat in the velvet windowseat and watched the coast of Scotland slowly growing smaller. Above her she heard, 'Set the course for Calais! East-southeast.' And an echoing voice answered, 'East-sou'east!'

The beautiful leaf-green eyes strained towards the fading coastline. A tear slid down her pale cheek, and then another, and another. She wept softly, bitterly, until the sadness began to lift and she had a sudden awareness of excitement growing within her. Behind her lay her old life, but ahead lay her very reason for life! Ahead was Francis Stewart-Hepburn! She could not be so ungrateful as to weep over what the gods had taken from her-not when they had given so much.

Chapter 43

THE messenger sent by the king of Scotland to the younger dowager Countess of Glenkirk returned quickly to Edinburgh.

'What do ye mean she wasna there?' demanded the king in a tight little voice.

'She's gone to France, the auld dowager said, and proper upset she was too. Seems the young one just took off early one morning wi'out a word to anyone.'

James sent for the Earl of Glenkirk, and his sister, Lady Elizabeth Gordon. 'Do ye know where yer mother is?' he asked them.

'At Glenkirk, sire,' said the earl without hesitation.

'She is nae at Glenkirk!' answered the king fiercely. 'She is in France!'

For a moment both young faces registered surprise, then Bess said to Jemmie, 'She went after all! Oh, I do hope 'twill cheer her!'

'What do ye mean, Lady Gordon?'

Bess smiled sweetly at the king and then said in the same warm, confidential tone she'd used with her brother, 'Why, sire, she spoke of visiting our Leslie cousins in France. Ye see, 'tis been a terrible year for her. First our father dying. Then Jemmie marrying and coming wi Bella to court, and then my marrying and coming to court. Colin is away at the university and Robbie a page wi Rothes. Why sire-there's scarcely anyone home but the bairns! She's been so lonely. She said she might go to France for a bit, but then she said nay.' Bess smiled again, and shrugged elegant little shoulders. 'I suppose she changed her mind again. We women are so unpredictable.'

Amused, the king suppressed a smile, and then his mouth tightened in anger. 'She was to come to court this spring.'

'Oh, yes,' said Bess brightly. ' 'Twas the last thing she said to us when we left Glenkirk after my wedding-that she would see us at court in the spring, and to gie her loving regards to the king.' She turned and stared accusingly at her brother. 'Jemmie! I'll wager ye forgot, dolthead! How could ye?'

A small smile played at the corners of the king's mouth at the embarrassed look on the young earl's handsome face. They were such a charming family! 'Thank ye, Lady Gordon. Ye may leave us. Jemmie, stay. I would speak further wi ye.'

Bess curtsied prettily and left the room. James looked sharply at James Leslie. He saw nothing but open honesty and admiration. The king pursed his lips and said slowly, 'Yer mother has displeased me, Glenkirk. In a sense she has deliberately disobeyed me.' The young face looked genuinely distressed. 'I commanded yer mother's presence at court this spring. In fact-' he paused a moment for effect-'I planned to make her my mistress, and she was well aware of it.'

Surprise and incredulity registered on the young face. “Sire! This is a great honor ye do Glenkirk! Christ, sir! What can I say!' Then, 'Damn me! Her behavior is intolerable! I always felt my father spoiled her. But I am sure she will return soon. She is simply willfuL but I dinna believe disobedient.'

The king looked pleased. There was no nonsense here. The lad was with him. She'd have no place to hide now. This was one Glenkirk he'd have no trouble with at all! The earl considered it an honor that James had singled out his mother-and rightly so! 'I will send word to my good friend, King Henri, that yer mother is to be sent home.'