by Olivia Rae
Gavin had not taken the time to think on any resemblance. The thought that this man was his sire did not rest well. “I want nothing from you.”
“Nor am I offerin’ anythin’. Ewart for all his faults will inherit me lands. All I am askin’ is to get to know ye a little better.”
Another troubling matter pricked at Gavin’s soul. “If Hew finds out the truth…”
“Aye, that could be a problem.” Maxwell took another swig of beer and then gave Gavin a sideways glance. “He’ll not hear it from me. And I doubt yer ma will say a word. She’s carried the secret for a long time. Fear not, Warring Tower will be yers. And if Hew tries to take it, I’ll stand by yer side. I owe that to ye and Francis.”
“You might rekindle your friendship again?” A disgusting idea!
A sad laugh floated from Maxwell’s lips. “I think not. What is done is done. I will say this, I am glad ye didnae die in Perth. Knowin’ what I know now, I couldnae have lived with such a sin on me conscience.”
Gavin squeezed Maxwell’s shoulder. “I am glad to hear it. perhaps the Maxwells and the Armstrongs will be friends once again.”
A crusty laugh followed by a hard hack pushed out of Maxwell’s throat. “Aye, at least while I breathe air. God only knows what will happen once Ewert is laird.” He paused and took another drink before continuing. “What about the lad? Will the queen be claimin’ her son?”
“That’s where we both were wrong. The lad is not her heir but some common maid’s child.” Gavin stretched out his legs in front of him to ease the pain in his knees. He couldn’t speak the whole truth, but he could speak part of it.
“Huh? Then what be the fuss about the lad?” Doubt clouded Maxwell’s eyes, and his guard began to rise.
Gavin waved off and poured the older man another brew. “Seems Thomas’s real mother gave invaluable service to the Tudor family. When she died, Mary Tudor wanted the boy to be well taken care of.”
Maxwell’s shoulders relaxed as he chuckled. “Looks like another Armstrong is raisin’ another man’s child.”
Gavin shrugged. “So be it. He is a smart lad, and I am proud to call him my son. He will be my heir. Another secret that needs to be kept.”
With a nod and a slow appraisal, Maxwell grinned. “Ye are a fine man, and I am proud to call ye son too. Even if that be kept a secret.”
A warmth spread through Gavin and between the two men. They might never be close like a father and son should be, but they would never be enemies again. Both men held up their mugs and tapped them together. “May God be with thee,” they said in unison before taking a long quenching drink.
Chapter Thirty-three
Audrey watched as Queen Elizabeth and Thomas played a game of chess. With his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth, he valiantly captured the queen’s rook. All within the room hesitated to praise Thomas until the queen showered him with her approval.
Looking at the board sparsely sprinkled with the queen’s black pieces, she shook her head. “I dare say, I believe you will win again.”
’Twas obvious she was letting Thomas have the upper hand, so enthralled was she by the boy. Audrey held her hands to her heart. He had that effect on almost everyone he met. So forthright and bold. No wonder it was easy to believe he was Queen Elizabeth’s son.
Yet, he wasn’t. A common boy with extraordinary talents. And he had a father that loved him. Happiness should be exploding from Audrey’s chest, but it wasn’t. She would be leaving with the queen’s entourage in the morning. How she would miss the lad…and his father.
Though things seemed normal at Warring Tower, a heavy sadness hung within. Audrey strolled to where Lady Francis sat mending one of Thomas’s tunics. Her red-rimmed eyes spoke of a night of tears. Her heart must be in pieces. She had lost the love of her son yesterday and the respect of an old love. How any of this would turn out, only God knew.
And I pray He heals this family quickly. Audrey sighed and sat down next to the miserable woman. “Mistress Pittman truly enjoys Thomas’s company.”
“Agreed,” Lady Francis answered with a small quiver in her voice.
Audrey reached out and squeezed the older woman’s hand. “Gavin still loves you.”
Tightening her lips, Lady Francis shook her head.
“You must give him time to accept all that has happened. I am certain when he has sorted everything out, he will understand the choices you made.”
“I never wanted any scandal to touch his life, and in the end, it did anyway.” Lady Francis pulled her hand away from Audrey’s grasp and dabbed the corners of her eyes. “Ian was so desperate for an heir, and he was willing to claim Gavin as his own. I guess I made the wrong decision for the truth came out anyway.”
“Do not let the past eat up your future. God will work this out for everyone’s good. You shall see.”
Slowly, the tears dried and were replaced with a tenderness. “You are a remarkable young lady. Someday you will make an excellent wife.”
Audrey’s throat grew thick. Oh, that Gavin would see such a quality in her. How much she wanted to stay here and become a wife and a mother to his children. But it did no good to dream. He would never love an English Catholic, and certainly not one that came to spy on him. “I am flattered by your words and only can pray that someday they will come true.”
Lady Francis reached out and stroked Audrey’s cheek. “I am sure of it. You deserve love for what you did for Thomas.”
Thomas threw up his hands in victory. Audrey shook her head. “I did nothing for the boy. He still acts like a Scot, and he is as brash and bold as ever.”
“You taught me to accept my grandson as he is, a beautiful, intelligent boy who loves life. Blood or not, he is an Armstrong through and through. I am proud to be his gran.” Lady Francis’s gloom washed away as she reached out and took Audrey’s hands in hers. “Thank you, my dear. You will be sorely missed.”
Now it was Audrey who fought to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. “I will miss you too.”
Just then Gavin entered, a tattered, bloody, and disheveled mess, followed by Bairn.
“Gads man, what happened to you?” Queen Elizabeth asked.
“Da.” Thomas ran over and jumped into his father’s arms. He then pinched his nose. “You smell awful.”
Gavin tossed the boy in the air and once caught started tickling his belly. Bairn howled and jumped up on the pair. “I was rolling around with a herd of pigs.”
“Da, leave off.” Thomas laughed, trying to push away the amusing fingers. Bairn licked the boy’s face.
Gavin knelt and greeted Thomas eye to eye. “What have you been up to this day?”
“I beat Mistress Pittman three times in chess.” Thomas wiped his face with the back of his hand before proudly holding up three fingers.
“The boy is a fine opponent.” Queen Elizabeth stood, folding her hands in front of her.
“Is that so? Methinks he is rather a charmer.” Gavin winked, and Thomas scooted behind the queen’s chair.
She reached around, trying to grab him to no avail. “How about we take one more turn at fishing?”
Thomas jumped out and nodded. “I also found a new snake hole. I bet we could find another hole if we look hard enough. Snakes always have two holes. One for the snake to come in and one for escape. If I stand at one and you at the other, I bet we could catch the snake.”
“Good heavens.” Queen Elizabeth slapped a hand against her throat.
The lad grabbed her other hand and led her to the entry. He glanced back and gave a wave. “See you later, Da. Come on, Bairn. We have to show Mistress Pittman how to snag a snake.” The barking dog loped merrily behind the pair.
Another soft ache tripped through Audrey’s chest. Father and son would be just fine. And in time, Thomas might not even remember her name, but she would never forget either of them. She would hold them close to her heart and pray for them daily.
Calling for a wet cloth, Gavin wiped his face
and hands. He then strolled over to where she and Lady Francis sat. “I would like to have a word with my mother.”
The dismissal was given with a smile, but Audrey took it as a punch to the gut. She should be happy for surely Gavin was going to make amends with Lady Francis. Nonetheless, she had a difficult time hiding her hurt. How selfish of her. The whole Armstrong family was forming a strong bond and all she worried about was her own weeping heart.
Audrey stood. “Of course. I am sure you have much to discuss, and I have to prepare my things for my journey south tomorrow.”
Gavin’s brow wrinkled, then smoothed quickly. He nodded without adding a word.
“Well then, God’s peace to you both.” Audrey gave a slight curtsy to Lady Francis and quickened her pace to the stairs. This eve she would take her meal in her room for she could not bear the sight of this beautiful family one moment longer.
* * *
Music from a lute, flute, and drum glided up to Audrey’s humble chamber while she chewed on an oatcake and fish scraps. There was much more food down in the hall, but she had asked for simple fare for her last supper at Warring Tower. With each chew, the laughter and singing seemed to intensify and further darken her mood. Finally, she slammed a hand on the table and tossed the cake into the chamber pot.
“Everything sours in my mouth. Why try to eat at all.” She rose and strolled to the window and watched a star skim across the cloudless night sky. “And this is the last time I shall look into the Scottish heavens.”
How she had hoped and how she had prayed that Gavin would come and beg her to join the festivities this eve. But he did not. Nay, she was already forgotten. With a deep sigh she wandered over to her open chest and picked up her bunched-up cloak, refolding it into a new heap. “’Tis all for the best. I am sure my mother needs me.”
Another lie. Her mother had been relieved when Audrey left, even joyous. One less mouth to feed. She tossed the cloak back into the chest. The queen had made it plain she did not want Audrey as an agent anymore. Possibly she might find employment elsewhere. Doing what? Just what was she capable of doing? She failed at court intrigue and was a terrible spy. She had talent with a dagger, but who would want a woman with such a skill?
She fell back onto her bed. “I am good at nothing.”
“I wouldnae say that.”
Immediately she sat up. Her skin began to heat. She glanced over her shoulder to find Gavin leaning in the doorway. “My laird, you should have made your presence known.”
“The door was ajar, and I heard a voice.”
He would think her a ninny talking to herself. She rose and primly placed her hands over her skirt. “I talk to myself sometimes.”
“Oh.” He sauntered into the room. “I thought things like that didnae happen until a person was many summers old.”
She cleared her throat and pressed her sweaty palms together. He’d think her daft. “Is there something you want?”
He ran a hand over the open lid of the trunk. “You will be leaving early in the morn?”
“Aye,” she said cautiously, wondering his purpose for being here. “Mistress Pittman wishes to get to English soil as quickly as possible.”
“Before you leave… I wanted to give you my thanks.”
Her heart sank. What was she expecting? His undying love? “I did naught.”
Gavin stepped closer, his gaze resting warmly on hers. “You brought truth where there were lies. You made a young lad open up, and you mended many a broken heart. I would say that is quite a bit.”
She shrugged and backed up a step. “None of which had anything to do with me.”
“Really? Had you not come, I would have given Thomas away. I would have never found out who my real father was or what sacrifices my mother had made. I would have remained bitter. Blaming others for my own doings. And most importantly, I never would have found my faith again.”
He took two more steps closer; his leather and meadow scent swam through her ailing heart. She moved back until her heels hit the wall. “I remember doing none of those things. You should thank God.”
“I do. For in His wisdom He sent you here.” Gavin moved forward until the tips of his boots touched the toes of her slippers.
“This might be God’s will,” she whispered, her body paralyzed by his closeness.
“Possibly.” He placed his hands against the wall on either side of her head.
A flush of heat shot up her neck as his blue eyes penetrated her soul. Her heart thudded. “My laird,” she said weakly. “Methinks you should step back.”
“You do? Huh.” He pushed a wayward lock out of her face. “You willnae be leaving on the morrow.” His sultry breath licked against her throat.
“No?” she squeaked.
Slowly he shook his head. “The queen is staying to witness a marriage.”
“A marriage?” she croaked.
“She sanctioned it this eve, and I dinnae think we should gainsay her. She even is providing her own clergyman.” He lifted a hand off the wall and slid a finger down her burning neck.
A rock-sized lump jammed her words in her throat. Colors rolled in front of her eyes.
“So only one thing remains.” His soft lips placed a tender kiss on her neck. “Will the lady say yes?”
Slowly she unraveled his speech. Would the lady say yes? Did he mean…
“Audrey?” His brows knitted together before he pulled back.
Joy rushed through her body chasing the spots away. “Is the woman of the True Faith and the man of the Reformed Faith?”
He grinned and nodded. “Aye, but the queen thinks they can work out their differences. After all, they both believe that Jesus Christ saved them from their sins. I agree with the queen.”
Audrey leaped forward and threw her arms around his neck, planting a reckless kiss on his lips. He pulled her close, deepening their love.
When they finally parted, he placed his forehead against hers. “Then shall I tell the queen the bride will be attending?”
“Only if the groom wants me to.”
“He would love to have you there.” He placed another long luxuriant kiss on her lips.
After catching her breath, she placed a hand on his chest. Her mind began to reorganize. She could not marry him, not without love. “Does the groom have feelings for the lady?”
His smile traveled up to his eyes. “He loves her deeply.”
Her heart soared. Another heady kiss swept across her lips, taking away all doubts.
This time when he stepped back, his eyes held a question. “And the lady? What are her thoughts?”
“Loves him with every bit of Scottish air she breathes.”
They sealed their bond with one more kiss. God had indeed blessed them all.
Epilogue
Thomas sat on the hall steps with a chicken thigh in his hand while all within sang and danced, wishing his Da and Mistress Audrey much happiness. He took a bite and chewed the tasty meat. He wasn’t sure if he liked the idea of having a new ma, but he did enjoy the food and the celebration offered.
A drooling Bairn sat next to him, eyeing the few morsels that remained on the leg. Thomas plucked off a piece and held it in front of the dog’s nose. “If I give this to you, do you promise to stop all that slobberin’?”
The dog licked his chops and eagerly sniffed the offered morsel. “Gently.” Bairn timidly took the food. Thomas wiped his fingers on his tunic and frowned when a drip of drool once again hung from Bairn’s jowls.
“He is rather a sloppy dog, is he not?” Mistress Audrey sat down on the step next to Thomas.
He shrugged. “Bairn’s a hound. He’s supposed to be sloppy.”
“Ah, you are so right. We cannot expect a creature with such long jowls to act any other way.” Mistress Audrey reached out and scratched Bairn’s head.
Thomas shrugged again. Why didn’t she go back inside? Or better yet, why didn’t she leave Warring Tower altogether?
She inched closer
to him. “Thomas, why are you so quiet?”
He shrugged again, turning his head away from her.
“Are you still mad at me? I thought we were good friends?”
Why didn’t she just go away? Her face was so close to his, she smelled like heather, which he used to like because it reminded him of the meadow grass near his hiding places. But now…it made him sick.
“Are you upset that I married your father?”
Thomas’s bottom lip pushed out. “Yer not my ma.” He gave her his whole back.
“Thomas, look at me.”
“Dinnae want to,” he grumbled. “Go away.”
“I know I will never take your mother’s place, and I do not wish to, but your father and I love each other, and we want to be together. We hope to make a happy home for you and your brother.” She was so close she was practically whispering in his ear.
Thomas tossed the chicken leg between them, then folded his arms across his chest. She wasn’t going to make him like her anymore. Bairn whined, eyeing the leg, but Thomas shook his head. “Them bones arenae good for you.”
“I am sorry, Thomas.” Mistress Audrey just widnae go away. “I guess we should have talked to you first before we married. But it is done now, and it would be a sin for us to part.”
Thomas lifted his chin and gave her a determined look. “Why not ask Mistress Pittman to talk to God? Everybody seems to do what she wants.”
Mistress Audrey laughed. “So true, but even she has to do what God wants.” Her face grew somber. “All I want is for us to have the same relationship as before. I want us to go riding, fishing, and find new treasures for you to hide. Please, give me a chance?”
She’d always been great fun when they did those things, but that wasn’t the problem. Slowly he gazed at her. “My da and ma hardly ever talked, and when they did, they fought. You used to fight with my da. What if something happens…”
