Highland Barbarian (Highlander Series) by Ruth Ryan Langan Page B

Have you not yet realized who our visitor is?”
    Meredith gazed upon the haughty young woman who continued to watch her through narrowed eyes.
    “Kneel, Meredith,” he murmured. “And pay homage to your queen.”
    “Queen?” Meredith’s throat went dry. For long moments she studied the woman. Then, with a gasp, she fell to her knees. “Oh, Majesty. Forgive me.”
    She had heard the stories, of course. All of Scotland had heard that the young queen, having recently buried her husband, Francis, the Dauphin of France, had been returned to her birthplace to assume the throne.
    She was kneeling before Mary, Queen of Scots.

Chapter Five
    “V ain? Arrogant? Pigheaded?” The queen enunciated each word with great care.
    Meredith, kneeling before her, flinched as though lashed by a whip.
    “She goes too far. This time, Brice,” the queen said haughtily, “you have found a woman with a temper to match your own.”
    “Aye.” He seemed not at all concerned that the queen continued to glare at the lass who knelt abjectly at her feet.
    “I could have you publicly flogged for your disrespect of the queen’s person.”
    Meredith lowered her head, afraid to meet the queen’s eyes.
    “Would you like the flogging to take place here?” Brice inquired, struggling to hold back his laughter. He knew that the queen was far too tenderhearted to ever follow through on her threat. “Or will you have her dragged back to Edinburgh?”
    “You mock your queen?” Mary arched an eyebrow and glowered at Brice.
    “Nay. In fact, I will send Angus to fetch a whip from the stables.”
    As Brice turned away the queen caught his arm. “Wait. You are too eager. I have thought of a better punishment for this disrespectful subject.”
    Meredith braced herself for what was to come. Whatever punishment was meted out by the queen, she had certainly earned it. How could she have been so foolish as to express herself in such forceful language?
    “Rise, Meredith MacAlpin, and face your queen as you learn the consequences of your actions.”
    Meredith stood on trembling legs. She glanced at Brice’s face but could read nothing in his hooded gaze.
    “I will give you a choice,” Queen Mary said. “A public flogging or...” She bit back the smile that twitched at the corners of her lips. “An opportunity to entertain your queen. You must relate to me and my ladies-in-waiting every detail of your—encounter with this rogue, Brice Campbell. From the first moment you saw him.”
    The queen burst into laughter at the look of astonishment on Meredith’s face. Even Brice could not contain his laughter.
    “That is all that you require, Majesty? A simple narrative?”
    “Not simple,” the queen corrected. “Every little detail must be included. I want to know everything.” She turned to Brice. “And you, scoundrel, must leave us alone for at least an hour. This is woman’s talk, you understand. And when she has finished, your servants can provide us with a banquet before we return to Falkland.”
    The queen clapped her hands, summoning the women of her hunting party. “Oh, Brice, this will be better entertainment than any poet or musician. I am greatly in need of such excitement. My life has been so drab since returning from the gaiety of France.”
    Brice lifted the queen’s hand to his lips before departing the room. “Your loyal subjects are most happy to oblige.” He shot Meredith a warning look. “Beware what you say in the presence of your queen. The next time you might not fare as well.”
    Within minutes Meredith found herself surrounded by five women named Mary. The young monarch introduced her four closest friends, Mary Beaton, Mary Fleming, Mary Seton and Mary Livingstone. The four Maries had been with the queen since early childhood. And like all best friends, they shared everything, even their most intimate secrets.
    While servants poured tea and passed around biscuits, the women arranged themselves in chairs and settles in