Page 47 of Highland Guard
Dalziel asked, “Kieran, do you trust me?”
“Aye, I trust you.”
“Then believe me when I say all will be well.”
Kieran nodded and replied, “I hope you’re right.”
***
NAOMI, WITH HER DISHEVELEDappearance and weary demeanor, anxiously awaited her audience with the king scheduled for the afternoon. Her desire for a place to wash and dress was answered by a knock at her door.
Naomi opened it and had to step out of the way as two men carried in a large tub, followed by a string of serving women holding buckets of steaming water.
“What is this?”
“Her Majesty, the queen’s orders. You’re to be bathed, dressed and ready for an audience with the king before noon.”
While she was still standing looking shocked, the women began fussing over her until she was stripped naked and sitting in the tub, being scrubbed to within an inch of her life. Before she knew it, Naomi was dressed in a pretty gown, and her hair was expertly braided. Then everyone flounced out, taking the tub and buckets with them.
Naomi placed the pouch with the relic in an inner pocket and slipped a small dagger inside the arm of her gown. Soon, another woman stepped into the room.
“Naomi?”
“Yes? Do I know you?”
“No, but you will soon. You have the look of Florie about you.”
“My mother? How do you know my mother?”
“Oh lass, we are so pleased you have come. Abbess Murdina said you would be here. Tis so good of you to help us in this way.”
“Abbess Murdina? I am sorry, but I do not understand what you mean.”
An elderly man appeared, and he had tears shimmering in his eyes. He spread out his arms and embraced Naomi in a bear hug. “Let me look at you? As I live and breathe, I never thought this day would come. Oh, what a happy day this is, and you’ll finally meet your betrothed.”
“My betrothed?” Naomi choked out. “I think you have me mistaken with someone else. I am simply here to deliver a package to the king.”
They just stared at her as if she made no sense and continued. “Well, we shall get out of your hair. The queen insisted we not badger you before your audience with the king, but we will meet you in the great hall afterwards.”
Naomi had an instant feeling of panic and was contemplating running away when the elderly man said, “Please, do not think of fleeing. It will get you nowhere and undo all the hard work that has gone into making this possible.” He moved out of the way and Naomi saw several guards in the hallway, waiting to escort her to see the king. She cursed under her breath and tried to run past them.
“I knew this was too easy. Please get her to the great hall,” the woman yelled. The guards grabbed Naomi about the waist and legs, and there were too many for her to fight off. Naomi began struggling, shouting, and cursing at them all as they carried her towards the hall.
***
GUY OF BRIONNE, CURSEDhis lateness. He needed to be in the great hall to claim his betrothed, but the woman had somehow escaped him again. He rode hard to Dunsinane and, with each passing mile, became furious. FitzOsbern and Matilda had him backed in a corner and doing their bidding. It was beneath him. Macbeth was a shrewd adversary and Guy had to get to the castle and make sure he wedded and bedded the lass to ensure all that power remained in his hands.
He pounded on the side gate; the sound echoing through the empty street, until at last, an attendant appeared. The keeper of the keys, who looked close to eighty and asked for his patience as he shuffled along slowly in front of an already impatient Guy.
As he was escorted to his chamber, a page boy came into view. “My liege, your betrothed is in the great hall. The king is in attendance.”
Guy cursed and began rushing to make himself presentable, as a string of serving staff appeared with a bath and fresh clothes for him and his retinue. Macbeth did not take kindly to nobles appearing before him in a disheveled state and Guy needed Macbeth on his good side if he wanted to whisk his betrothed away.
***
Betrothals Aplenty
IN THE GREAT HALL,Kieran’s presence commanded attention as he stood tall, his stoic expression never faltering. With his long hair neatly tied back, he proudly displayed his MacGregor plaid and crest badge. His attire comprised a crisp white leine, untanned shoes, and long woolen weaved socks. His claymore gleamed, securely tucked into his scabbard and fastened to his belt, while his targe rested firmly at his back. A few meters away, he noticed Iverson Macrae and Donald Clunes. They glowered at his choice of the MacGregor plaid, but Kieran could not care less.
