When she finished, she despaired about what she would do with her father while she attended to the king. He had to appear with her and she vowed to keep an eye on him. But John would also attend and that relieved her somewhat.
“I shall stay here and unpack and ready the chamber for sleep. Go on,” Linet said.
“Very well, Linet. Hopefully, we are not overlong. Papa needs his rest. If I can, I’ll send him along earlier in the evening.”
Within minutes, she opened the door and they followed the chamberlain to a room near the great hall. Inside, she met the gazes of the other women and men whom she assumed were the other brides and grooms. She hoped her expression didn’t show her regard for the Highlanders. Kendra swallowed hard at the thought that they, she and the other women, were to marry the obstinate-looking men.
She found a vacant chair in which she settled her father. “Papa, stay here with John. Do not move from this chair and do not leave this room.” She looked at her father’s attendant and he understood her direction.
Her father nodded and another servant hastened forward and gave him a drink. She refused the drink that he likewise offered to her.
Kendra moved across the chamber and stood near the other women. She recognized one of the women, Isabella of the Forrester Clan, whose family lands bordered her clan’s property. She had met the woman on occasion in the village when she visited the merchant stalls. The woman stood alone, a little ways from where she and the other women waited. Kendra bowed her head to the women and smiled.
Her gaze slid again to the men who stood with them awaiting the king. They were attractive, strong-looking, and were most fierce in their stances with their arms at their sides and their legs braced. It was as if they were prepared for a fight. The men’s faces, though grim, were also handsome. Gracious Lord, she was to marry one of them. Her cheeks heated but she withstood the urge to fan herself.
A thud sounded and the king and queen entered the chamber. The side door slammed shut behind them. Alexander stopped near the men and spoke to them briefly, although she couldn’t hear what he said. The queen fell in behind him and they walked toward the dais. Margaret was richly garbed and appeared beautiful, as well as a queen should be. Alexander, King of the Scots, was a striking figure, and yet nowhere near compared to the Highlanders with their dangerous manner. Even so, there seemed to be a bit of nobility about the men with their staid gazes and haughty demeanor.
Kendra waited for the king to speak as did everyone in the hall. The silence of the chamber gave the atmosphere a certain apprehension. She shared a glance with a pretty woman who stood near her.
The king cleared his throat before speaking. “This is a day of import, and I am pleased to see you here. This evening, we shall have a feast with dancing and merriment. I will give you this time to greet each other and become familiar. Before the night ends, the selections will be discussed and finalized on the morrow. I bid you now to eat and drink.”
She took a glance to ensure that her father remained in the chair she’d put him in. He sat beside another older man and they conversed. John remained ever watchful behind him.
Kendra hadn’t felt so awkward in such a long time. She wasn’t coy but she wasn’t outspoken either. In waiting for the men to make their introductions, she lingered by the lovely lady next to her and they glanced at each other again.
“I have not met you before. I am Sorsha d’Avranches.”
Kendra dipped her chin. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mistress d’Avranches. I am Kendra of Clan Graham.”
The woman smiled and it reached her eyes. “Sorsha, please. I used to be Lady Chattan. Are you as delighted as I am to have been chosen by the king?”
“I suppose I am,” Kendra said and hadn’t spoken falsely. Althoughthe choice of groom daunted her, at least now she didn’t have to marry Heatherington. She offered up a quick prayer that whomever she married was noble and kind. The last thing she wanted was to end up with a man akin to her odious neighbor.
“We should go and greet the men.” Sorsha set off, leaving her alone.
Queen Margaret approached and Kendra curtseyed low until the queen spoke, “Mistress Kendra, attend me. I have heard that you are a spirited woman from some of my courtiers and I should like to get to know you.”
Kendra waited a moment before rising with a smile fastened on her face and then kept her gaze on the queen’s plainly adorned head. Margaret wore a simple wimple fastened with a band of gold over her brown hair. “My Lady, I am…” She didn’t know what to say. “…am humbled and pleased to be here.”
Margaret tucked her arm with hers and pulled her to follow. “Walk with me about the chamber so we might speak in private.”
She did as the queen requested and kept her gaze on the floor as she walked. Kendra didn’t want to step on the queen’s toes, or God forbid, trip her. Laughter and voices rose around them.
“You look beautiful, Mistress Kendra, with your golden hair, and I am certain you have already caught the eyes of many of the grooms. Have you selected the man you wish to wed?”
Kendra shook her head. How could she make such a choice when she had yet to speak to any of them? “Nay, I shall speak to them and hopefully influence the man I wish to—”
“Do you see that man there,” the queen said cutting her off, as she pointed to a tall, dark-haired man. “That is Laird Cameron. ‘Magnus’ to his friends. He is a reserved man and speaks little but he’s a favorite of mine and it distresses me that he is so serious. He claims that he has no time for frivolities. The man has many burdens on his shoulders as the newly proclaimed laird of his clan. I deem he needs some joy in hislife and a vivacious woman to appease him. Are you up for such a challenge?”
“If my lady wishes it so, then aye, I am up for the challenge.” Kendra wasn’t sure what the queen wanted of her but she wasn’t about to gainsay or deny her.
“If you make him smile before this night is through, then he shall be yours.”
“Mine? But is not the choice his? The king said—”
“Hedidsay that,” she said cutting her off once again. Margaret laughed, her light snicker drew the attention of her husband. “Oh, but it is the Highlanders’ choice. Nevertheless, we women have a way of getting what we want in the end and influencing such matters. Do we not?”
Kendra nodded quickly at the queen’s supposition. “I shall do my best, My Lady, to make him smile.”
