Taken by Angeline Fortin (great books of all time TXT) 📗

“This is Mistress Thomas, Your Grace.”

The King held out his hand to her and Scarlett took it uncertainly, dropping into a deep, unsteady curtsey.  “Your Majesty.”

“Majesty, eh?”  King James chuckled, grinning around at his men.  “I like that.  I should have all my loyal subjects address me so, shall I?”

Agreement was murmured among the men but the King only turned back to Scarlett, lifting her chin with one finger and turning her face this way and that as he studied her thoroughly. Too thoroughly for James’s liking.  “Why have I not seen you at court before, Mistress Thomas?”

“She is nae one of importance to ye, Your Grace,” James said before she could speak, squeezing her hand to keep her from contradicting him.  Lord only knew what might come out of her mouth.  She was the unpredictable sort.

Sir William stepped to the King’s side.  “Your Grace, my son claims to hae found the woman upon countering a Lindsay raid of his keep at Dunskirk.”

“A Lindsay raid?” King James tsked sternly.  “Hmmm.  Is she one of yours, Lindsay?”

John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford stepped forward.  James held his breath but the Lindsay only shook his head. “Nay, Your Grace.  I dinnae ken the lass.”

The King nodded speculatively, looking Scarlett over once more as if she were a prime mare at auction.  She stiffened at James’ side, clearly uncomfortable with his perusal but to his relief, she retained enough good sense not to rebuke the King.  “Mayhap, I should take her under my wing, as it were.  See her safely back to her clansmen myself.  It is my duty to see to my subjects welfare after all.”

Aye, James knew how the King was thinking of protecting her.  It seemed Janet Kennedy might finally have some competition for the royal affections after a decade in his bed.  He bristled at the thought and Scarlett’s hand tightened in his. “Nay, Your Grace.”

He felt more than heard her exhale in relief but James was well aware that the matter was far from settled.

The King speared him with a sharp look.  “Nay? Are ye daring to deny my will, James Hepburn?”

The retainers behind him all stilled and Scarlett was once again radiating tension, though he dared not look at her, even to cast assurances.  Sir William was also glaring at James with a dark warning written in his eyes but James couldn’t bear the thought of Scarlett becoming a royal plaything.  He wouldn’t allow it, King or not. “That is no’ my intention, Your Grace.  I only meant to say that Mistress Thomas is in no need of any protection beyond my own.”

“I believe that would be for me to decide,” the monarch said.  It was a command without words.  If King James wanted Scarlett even if it was only for a night, it would not be James’ word that gainsaid him.   Scarlett’s might but James couldn’t take the chance that her wishes on the matter would be taken into consideration.  To his knowledge, no woman had ever denied the King but his lass was a contrary thing.

“Nay, Your Grace,” he repeated more firmly, a decision made even as the words passed his lips.  “She is mine by handfast.  I will gi’ her all the protection she needs.”

Sir William stepped forward, his eyes dark with anger but James only leveled him a look of the same.  “’Tis done, Father.”

“’Twill be undone.”

“Nay, it willnae,” he said decisively.  “I am hers and she is mine.”

The two men stood, meeting eye to eye.  The tension was palpable.

“Ye’ve no’ asked my permission,” King James said.

“Nay, but I ask yer blessing, Your Grace.”

The King stared at him long and hard and James tensed, waiting.

“Verra well,” he relented and the tension eased.

“Thank ye, Uncle,” James said quietly as he bowed low before the King.  “I am in yer debt.”

“Then I shall expect repayment.”

James nodded as the King and his retainers turned away, continuing their tour through the encampment.  Sir William lingered behind, clearly angry as his gaze shifted between his son and Scarlett, who was now clinging to James’ arm.  “Leave the lass and come along, son.  Now.  We need to discuss this.”

“I will join ye at my leisure, Father,” James replied evenly, shaking his head.  “But there will be no’ discussion.  I’m nae bairn but a man and a laird in my own right.  I will do as I please.”

“Ye would dare disregard yer father’s demands?”

Pressure seized him, banding about his chest, but James couldn’t, wouldn’t relent now.  “Aye, as I just countermanded a King, I believe I can do the same for my sire.  As I said, I will join ye shortly.”

Leaving his father speechless and fuming, James grasped Scarlett by the elbow and guided her into his tent.  Thankfully, Sir William did not follow.

I am hers and she is mine.

Scarlett couldn’t deny the thrill those words brought her.  The promise, the commitment in them.

Nor could she deny the panic.

“Handfast?”

“’Tis like marriage wi’out a priest.  A promise to wed,” he explained.  “’Tis as good as a vow in Scotland.”

But they weren’t in Scotland and no promises had really been made.  Scarlett took a deep, calming breath.  “You just lied to your king.  And your father.”

“I would hae lied to the Saint Peter himself to keep ye out of my uncle’s lecherous hands,” Laird said, his hands fisting at his sides.  “Sparing ye would be worth any sacrifice.”

“Why?” she asked, trying to ignore how her pulse raced at his words.

He frowned down at her.  “Would ye rather hae been his next mistress?  Are ye like all the others longing for a higher position in life?”

“I never asked for the position I’m in right now.”

He lifted a brow at her pert response.  “Blast it, Scarlett, this is nae laughing matter.  Did ye no’ see how he was looking at ye?”

“Rather like you look at me, I think,” Scarlett said tartly though inside she was awash with awe at the truth of what he had done.  Laird had stood up to