Highland Heather - Highland Heather Part 16
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Highland Heather Part 16

"But, as always, you managed to prevail."

The two men shared a laugh.

'"Tis time to learn your fate, ice maiden."

"You would not take me to your queen like this. Without even time to refresh myself."

"Would I not?" Morgan gave her a dangerous smile.

"And you look so fetching. Why, every nobleman at court will probably beg for the hand of my dirty little ragamuffin."

"Please, my lord. I cannot be presented to the queen in such a fashion."

He closed a hand over her arm and drew her firmly against him.

"This is not a royal ball, my lady. And you are not here to be admired.

Until the queen decrees otherwise, you are my prisoner. "

She gave him a hate-filled look and tried to pull away, but his fingers closed around her arm in a possessive manner.

To the keeper of the door he called, "Announce me to the queen, my Lord Clive. I come at Her Majesty's request."

The old man nodded and scurried away. Minutes later he returned.

"The queen will see you immediately, my lord."

As Brenna was hauled along beside Morgan, her throat went dry at the thought of meeting the Queen of England. If the rumors were true, Queen Elizabeth was a fascinating, beguiling, yet very shrewd monarch.

Alden cast a sympathetic glance at the woman being dragged roughly by his friend.

"You could afford to give the lady a few moments to repair her toilette."

"You have not spent the last days as I have, my friend, or you would not even suggest such a thing. The lady cannot be trusted out of my sight."

One look at the hard set of Morgan's mouth caused Alden to hold his silence. He knew when his friend had been pushed to the limit.

More than a hundred people milled about the great room, many of them clustered, talking in low tones. When they noted the standard of Morgan Grey, the hum of conversation increased. The Queen's Savage was not a man who could pass unnoticed, even in a crowd.

When double doors were thrust open and a dozen or more gaily dressed men and women entered, all conversation ceased. The arrival of the gentlemen who preened like peacocks and the fawning ladies was the signal that the queen would now hold court.

Elizabeth walked alone, with no one to her right or left. Her gown was a dazzling midnight blue, with high ruffled neck and wide sleeves inset with jewels. The bodice was low, the waist tiny. A full skirt twinkled with hundreds of jewels, each one painstakingly sewn on by one of the queen's army of seamstresses. A magnificent tiara of diamonds and sapphires nestled in her red curls.

She moved quickly, as though in a hurry. Even after she was seated upon her throne, she seemed to radiate energy. With an expectant look her glance scanned the crowd. When at last she spotted Morgan Grey, a warm smile touched her lips.

"At last, my brave warrior, you have returned to your queen. Come forward and tell me what female's bed kept you from your queen's side for so long."

Brenna was shocked at the queen's crude remark. And even more shocked to see that the men and women at court joined in a chorus of laughter at Elizabeth's joke. She glanced at Morgan, expecting to see his famous scowl. Instead, his face was wreathed in smiles.

"Forgive me. Majesty, but someone must see to the business of the Crown."

"Are you suggesting that it was royal business that kept you away so long?"

"Aye, Majesty. If you recall, you sent me to Scotland to investigate the possibility of wedding one of your titled gentlemen to the leader of the MacAlpin clan, whose lands lie on the border."

"I recall much more, Morgan Grey. I recall that you bristled at such an assignment, suggesting that it was beneath your dignity as a warrior, and fit merely for a lackey. Yet this simple task has taken you away from me for too long. Did you not miss the sight of your queen?"

Morgan stepped closer, leaving Brenna encircled by his men. His voice warmed.

"Aye, Majesty. I have missed not only your beauty, but your sharp tongue as well. There are few who can match words as my queen."

Elizabeth threw back her head and laughed.

"I, too, have missed our duel of wits, my Lord Grey. I am truly pleased that you have returned.

Now tell me the outcome of your journey to Scotland. "

"The people are still mistrustful of the English, Majesty. And though I assured them that we came in peace, I could sense that they did not believe me."

"They had the word of your queen."

Morgan smiled at Elizabeth's sudden flash of anger.

"Aye, Majesty. But I think you were wise in your decision to bind the two countries through an arrangement of marriages. We have lost many a good Englishman on the Scottish border."

"The Highland chiefs," Elizabeth said dryly, "have already pledged their loyalty to me through the Treaty of Edinburgh."

"Aye. There is that. But our borders continue to be plagued by outbreaks of fighting, Majesty."

"So, Morgan, you suddenly approve of these arranged marriages."

Elizabeth held out her hand and drew him close. Many women in the room watched the scene with interest. Morgan Grey was a handsome devil who caused more than a few female hearts to flutter. And the queen was as yet unwed.

"Tell me about this Scotswoman who leads her clan."

"I will do better than that, Majesty. I will present her to you."

He turned. At his command his men moved aside, revealing Brenna.

"Majesty, may I present Brenna MacAlpin, leader of the clan MacAlpin of Scotland."

Many in the crowd gasped. At their reaction, Brenna lifted her head defiantly.

The queen appeared stunned for a moment before regaining her composure.

"Can this truly be the leader of her people? In such a state of disarray?"

Brenna's cheeks went bright red, but she continued to meet Elizabeth's direct look.