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CHAPTERTHREE
January 1490
Roxburghe Castle, Scottish Borders
“Easter, I think. Aye, that will be a good time for a wedding. I shall send word to The Douglas…”
Robert MacKinnon sighed. Across the table, he met his sister’s worried gaze. She shook her head as though to warn him not to pursue the matter. Robert knew she was right, but even so…
“Father, there can be no wedding. Janet Douglas is—”
“What are ye blatherin’ about, lad?” His father’s features darkened, and his mouth set in that frown which was his customary expression these days. “Of course there is tae be a wedding. ’Tis all arranged. The Douglas will be here, an’ all his kinsfolk. ’Twill be a wedding tae remember, the joining of two mighty clans. Why, even the king shall come.”
“Which king?” Robert asked, his tone gentling.
The Earl of Roxburghe, laird of the MacKinnon clan, glared at his son and shook his head. “Are ye trying tae catch me out? Trying tae make me think I dinnae ken the name o’ me own sovereign?”
“Of course Robbie did not mean any such thing, Papa.” Flora, Robert’s sister, reached across to take their father’s hand. “He was just joking. Is that not right, Robbie?”
Robert shrugged. “Yes, I was merely jesting. Of course you know who our king is. Jamie, the third to bear that name, is renowned throughout Europe.”
“Aye. And long may he reign,” the earl concurred. “And now, I shall write tae Archie Douglas at once tae inform him o’ the wedding arrangements. Flora, ye shall tell Lady Margaret tae make ready.”
“Of course, Papa.” Flora slanted a glance at her brother. Her eyes glistened with tears she refused to shed in front of their father. “I shall tell her right away.”
“Right, then. ’Tis settled.” The earl got to his feet. “I shall be in me chamber if I am needed.”
“Would you like me to walk with you, Papa?” Flora offered.
He rather scowled at her. “D’ye think me not capable o’ findin’ me way about me own keep, lass?”
“Of course not. I merely thought—”
“Cease yer prattling, girl. Have ye nought better tae do than pester me the entire day?” He sent her another exasperated look before shuffling off across the stone-flagged hall, his shoulders bent in the stooped posture which he had adopted of late.
Robert and Flora watched him go. He slung his arm round her shoulders and hugged his sister to him. “He is worse,” he murmured, “an’ getting worse still with every day.”
“I know.” Flora dashed tears from her cheeks. “I hate to see him so…so confused.”
“By the time he reaches his chamber he will have probably forgotten the conversation just now. He will recall perfectly well that Janet Douglas died o’ the sweating sickness fifteen years ago, and King James the fourth has been on the throne these past two years.”
“Aye. And that Lady Margaret, his wife, has been dead for a decade.” Flora clutched at his arm. “Do you think he will actually write to Archibald Douglas? We must try to stop him. We do not want all to know how ill he is.”
“I shall make sure any correspondence is intercepted,” Robert assured her. He narrowed his eyes as his father disappeared through the door at the end of the hall. “Perhaps I should remain here rather than attending James at Holyrood. ’Tis unfair to expect you to shoulder everything.”
“You cannot. The king has summoned you. You are one of his most favoured advisers.”
Robert allowed himself a wry smile. “My advice is mainly limited to how best to spirit his latest mistress into the palace without the previous incumbent o’ the role becoming aware of his dalliance.”
“That is not true. The king is young, just seventeen summers. He has only been on the throne for two years and needs good advisers who he can trust. James relies on you, especially when it comes to foreign affairs and diplomacy. You translate for him, and…”
“Aye, well, there is that. Though James can manage passable French when it suits him. An’ I do give him a decent game of chess. I might even let him win, on occasion.”
His sister dug her elbow into his ribs. “Do not make light of it. You are much respected at court. I have seen that for myself. I do not much care for all the pomp and ceremony, the intrigues and jostling all the time for the king’s favour, but you relish it. And more to the point, you are good at it. Our clan has prospered as a result, and you must return to Holyrood soon.”
“Will you come with me? You might enjoy the respite from…well, from everything.”
She shook her head. “He needs me here. I shall stay and care for our father.”
