The Beauty of the Mist

by May McGoldrick

  Maria lifted her eyes. “I’ve done him a great wrong. I know he has more hate within him now than he ever had love. He will never forgive me, Elizabeth. There is no future for us.”

  Elizabeth took hold of Maria’s arm. “Don’t underestimate the power of what you’ve already shared, of the words you’ve spoken, of the seed you’ve planted.”

  Maria looked up at her friend as Elizabeth rested her hand lightly on the young queen’s stomach.

  “You knew, and yet you had me examined by Fiona’s physician.”

  “It would have been difficult to ignore your condition, since we are sharing the same symptoms.” Elizabeth didn’t try to hide the smile that lit up her face.

  Maria’s face reflected the sudden radiance. “Does Ambrose know?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “Not yet. I’ve been through it twice already, so I know better than to tell him so soon. The baboon would have me bedridden for the next eight months.”

  “Twice? How about Jaime...” Maria stopped abruptly. She had no right to ask. “I am sorry, Elizabeth. It was wrong of me to pry...”

  “Don’t be sorry.” The young painter smiled. “I spoke without thinking. Now you are a part of our little secret, as well. To the world, Jaime is our daughter, but there is a very small number of souls who knew she is my niece. Aye, everyone thinks that Ambrose and I had a child long before we married. For a while it kept the gossip mill turning happily at court.”

  “Then who...?” Maria asked.

  Elizabeth shook her head. “That’s a long story–and one I’ll share with you during our long months of pregnancy together.”

  “Things are never as simple as they seem, are they, Elizabeth?”

  “I don’t know. Perhaps they could be.”

  “Nay, they can’t,” Maria answered seriously. “You have a husband, I don’t. I can’t stay in Scotland, and I won’t return to Antwerp. In fact, I think sometimes it would be best if I disappeared from the face of the earth.”

  “You will not speak such foolishness.” Elizabeth scolded. “You will stay here and bear your child. And I’ll stay right beside you.”

  Maria shook her head. “I can’t. When people learn that I am carrying a child–John’s child–it will be the end of him. He’ll be accused of high treason. I could never do that to him. Never.”

  “That might be true if you were to go forward and marry the king, but you are not.”

  “Still,” Maria asserted. “I will not put John’s life at any more risk than I have already. And I will not allow him to shoulder this shame.”

  “And you?” Elizabeth argued. “What of the shame you must face–and face alone?”

  Maria felt the knot rising in her throat again, but this time she forced back her tears. “I began this journey on my own. I made a mistake, and I did John a great wrong. I’ve brought him pain, Elizabeth, and I swear I’ll never do that again.” She took a deep breath. “I went in search of my freedom. I found John Macpherson. And I found love.”

  “Then he must know!”

  Maria gazed steadily into Elizabeth’s eyes. “I will not bring him any more suffering. I will bear the weight of this, and as our child grows I will live in joy knowing that John is with me always. These are consequences I can live with, my friend.”

  Elizabeth reached out, and the women hugged one another fiercely.

  “What can I do, Maria.”

  Maria considered for a moment. “Help to secure passage for me and Isabel...to Castile.”

  Elizabeth pulled back and looked into the younger women’s eyes. “You are going to run away. You will never tell him.”

  “That’s what is best.” Maria whispered. For him, she thought. The best for him.

  Chapter 30

  Edinburgh Castle

  The sun shone brightly on the town below as John Macpherson and the young King walked along the ramparts of the ancient fortress.

  The Highlander paused and gazed at the Abbey of Holyrood at the end of the Royal Mile. He knew she was no longer there. She was safe with his family at Drummond Castle. But when he thought of her, a burning pain took hold in his chest. When he’d last seen her at the Abbey, John had been so involved with the magnitude of their undertaking, and so angry with her actions in Antwerp that he had been completely blind to the danger she was bringing on herself by helping them to rescue the king. But, sending a prayer into the flawless sapphire blue canopy overhead, John thanked God for Elizabeth and Ambrose. They’d had the insight to move her to safety.

  Indeed, Angus had sent his men after Maria immediately after hearing news of King’s escape from Falkland Palace. Whether he’d wanted to use her as a hostage for negotiating his terms, or whether a fury for revenge had possessed him, the Highlander was just grateful she had been removed. Whatever his intentions had been, the Lord Chancellor had been thwarted.

  So much had happened since the night at Falkland Palace. Sir Thomas Maule’s letter had worked like a charm in facilitating their movement through the burgh gate, as well as through the Douglas encampment. Then, west of Loch Leven at Campbell Castle, they’d met with an army led by Colin Campbell the Earl of Argyll, the Earl of Huntly, Alec Macpherson, and the others who had met in Ambrose’s Great Hall. They were prepared for resistance, anticipating a bloody battle with those holding Stirling Castle.

  But a miracle had occurred. Upon seeing the King with his noble entourage, the gates at Stirling were flung open and men poured out in joy, welcoming the young monarch. The same scene repeated itself at Falkirk, Linlithgow, Blackness, and every village and town they’d passed by. Like a gathering wave, the company of the King grew with every passing mile, turning over the land, burying in a tide of strength and justice what remained of Angus’s support. By the time James reached Edinburgh, Scotland had spoken. Rising up, the people met him, cheered him, and followed him, overjoyed in the knowledge that at last, a Stuart king would again rule their land.

  The sweep from Stirling to Edinburgh had gone well, but ousting Angus had not been so easy. Apprehensive about Henry of England’s reaction to the forced removal of his puppet, the Earl of Angus, King James and his loyal nobles had moved with the force of lightning. Tracking him to Tantallon Castle, the King had laid siege to the red stone fortress. And in a display of justice and mercy, the young monarch had allowed Angus and his Douglas cronies to go into exile in England. By moving quickly, there had been no time for the English to intervene.

  John had watched as King James had shown remarkable skill in his first acts as ruler. With the help of Ambrose Macpherson, a letter to Henry of England had been drawn up, emphasizing James’ good will toward his “uncle,” Henry Tudor, and identifying the reasons for his dissatisfaction–on behalf of the people of Scotland–with the exiled Angus. In this letter James also made known the Lord Chancellor’s plan of using Emperor Charles’ troops to aid him in running the country. Let Angus explain that to the English King, Kit had said.

  The orders of the King and his Council were final. If Angus ever returned to Scotland, he would be imprisoned for life beyond the waters of the Spey. The presence of the Douglas clan would no longer be tolerated at Court. The King’s Council also directed Angus and the Douglasses to surrender their castles and belongings. The council’s edict even proclaimed that any servant or friend of the Douglas clan would suffer death if they so much as stepped foot in Edinburgh. But amid all these charges of treason, one man and his family were excluded. By order of the King, Sir Thomas Maule became lord of Brechin Castle, a place of honor for his family.

  “My mother tells me that my father had plans for a magnificent palace to be built at the Abbey.”

  Startled out of his reverie, John turned his attention back to the young King.

  “The royal residence he did build is a fine place, sire.”

  “I know. Mother loves staying there, but perhaps someday I will make it over the way my father wanted it.” Kit looked at the bustling town below them. “But not now.”

&nbs
p; John gazed at the young man who stood so comfortably before him. He was born for this, John thought.

  “While I was locked away, Jack Heart, I made a promise–to myself and to the Lord. I promised that if ever I sat on the throne of Scotland...really sat on the throne...I would be the King of all the people–noble and commoner alike.”

  “It is the common folk who are the most in need,” John answered with a nod. “And Scotland is their country, sire, far more than it is ours.”

  King James smiled at the Highlander. “I knew you would understand. But there are many who won’t. Your values are strong and true, Jack Heart.”

  “You are King now, your majesty...in every way. You lead, and the rest will follow.”

  James leaned against a broken piece of the wall and looked southward toward the Pentland Hills. “There were only three hundred nobles that I invited to welcome me and the Queen Mother to Edinburgh Castle. Many will be fearful–resentful even–that I didn’t summon them to join us.”

  “Their fear is well-founded, sire, when you have every reason to doubt their loyalty. In time, you’ll know who you can trust and who you can’t. Many of those you may never want in your company.”

  “Its true. But John...” The young man paused. “I will always want you at my side, regardless of what the future brings.”

  John nodded. He understood what Kit was talking about. This morning, the Council had dwelt for a considerable amount of time discussing the future queen and her courage in helping to free James. But conspicuous in her absence was Maria herself. John knew where she was and so did the King. The Macpherson clan had made their appearance at Court, but had returned immediately to Drummond Castle. The Macphersons had come and gone, but–oddly enough–Maria had chosen to stay behind.

  The rumors had immediately resurfaced, then. Caroline Maule’s poison was continuing to spread, despite her ignominious death.

  John had wondered how long the King would listen to such talk. Before this morning, the Highlander had not given much thought to his own treachery–as Caroline had described his actions to the king–but he had given plenty of thought to Maria, and to her sacrifice in trying to save his life. Even now, speaking to the man he knew would soon marry her, pangs of love and regret coursed through him. John knew that no one could love her as he did. He knew he loved her more than he’d thought it possible to love another. But he also knew he didn’t deserve her–she was destined to become his Queen.

  For many weeks now–since before leaving Antwerp–John had resolved to take whatever punishment King James or his Council decided to mete out over the liberties he’d taken with the King’s intended bride. He thought back over her words. Maria had said she was looking for a dream, and now he knew that he had been looking, as well. The memory of all they’d shared would remain locked forever in his heart, whether it meant imprisonment or pain of death.

  “Today the Queen Mother asked me the date of my wedding.” Kit gazed at the Highlander. “Perhaps you heard some rumbling about in Council?”

  John felt the pain, like a hot poker, push straight into his heart. And then he knew. The image of Maria in another man’s arms was something he could never endure. Even if that man was his King. If death was not to be his sentence, then he had to go away. He had no ties, he lied to himself. He would give up his Lordship of the Navy.

  “Sire, I...”

  “Wait, John,” the King interrupted. “I told Mother that I am not ready to wed.”

  The New World, John thought. Aye, that’s it. He would sail to New World. With enough distance and time, perhaps someday he might forget... I am not ready to wed, James’s words slowly worked into his consciousness. He looked up, suddenly aware of the young King’s knowing expression.

  “You...you are not to wed?” John asked.

  James shook his head. “Someday, perhaps I will, but not now, and–though I owe her a great deal–not to this woman.”

  John stood, speechless.

  “She wants neither me nor this marriage, Jack Heart. I would be honored to have her, but she will have no part of me. She is in love with...well, she loves another man.”

  John cleared his throat. “Sire, I think it is important for you to know, when I found this woman adrift in a longboat...”

  James reached into his doublet and drew out five letters. “I know enough, Jack Heart. She wrote it all down for me. In these letters, she conveyed to me the events of her flight from the Emperor’s Palace right up to the point of her arrival in Scotland.”

  “She wrote you,” John repeated. “And she told you...everything?”

  “Well, I believe she may have left out a few...sensitive...details that might be considered incriminating to the Lord of our Navy. Truthfully, sometimes as I read her letters, I had to question her objectivity in viewing of your character.”

  “My character? Sire, I don’t think...”

  “Aye, Jack Heart. If you have any miracles up your sleeve, I believe the Pope will have to confer sainthood.”

  John shook his head. “She told you she...she wrote of her feeling for me?”

  “Nay, that she didn’t,” James answered cheerfully. “In fact, of her feelings she wrote nothing but praise for your chivalrous behavior toward her.”

  “Then how did you know...?” John paused. “Caroline...you listened to Caroline.”

  “Of course.” James shook his head. “But she was a foe, and you are a friend. So to answer you, I heard what she had to say, but I considered it mostly falsehood.”

  “I did court your Queen, but that was before I knew her identity.”

  The young King placed a hand on John’s shoulder. “There is no one I’ve learned to trust more than you, my friend. I listened to Caroline’s malice, knowing her intent, and I read Maria Habsburg’s letters, understanding her affection. So in her twisted way, Caroline helped me to see what lay behind the praise. Maria Habsburg is in love with you, Jack Heart.”

  Standing there in the sun, a new world opened for the Highlander. But then the difficulties again arose, clouding his features.

  “But what of the contract, Kit? The marriage contract between Angus and the Emperor?”

  “Let them marry if they want to! Our official position will be that the contract bears no legality. I’ve already sent a letter to her and another to Antwerp saying so. I signed no document, and we will defend Scotland against any action the Emperor cares to initiate. Nay, Jack. My feeling is that Maria is free at the moment.”

  Free! John’s mind ran through any other potential problems. There were many.

  “Sire, I will repay the dowry. The gold Angus received from Charles must be gone.”

  King James considered for a moment, and then nodded in agreement.

  “Aye, if you care to. I believe we’ll take you up on that offer. Everyone knows that the Macpherson wealth exceeds even that of the Emperor.”

  John laid his hand on the castle wall. Maria was still at Drummond Castle.

  “But there is still the question, Jack,” the King continued, “of convincing the Emperor that you have any right to her hand. He may just have other plans for his sister. Plans involving another monarch somewhere.”

  John’s eyes flashed. Maria had already paid that price. He clapped his hands on the young King’s shoulders.

  “Farewell, Kit,” he said warmly, starting abruptly for the castle tower at the end of the rampart.

  “Where are you going, Jack Heart?” the King called after him with a smile.

  “After a dream, sire,” he responded with a wave, and then disappeared into the tower.

  Chapter 31

  Drummond Castle

  At first light, she and Isabel would start for Dundee. A ship would be waiting for them, Elizabeth had assured her. In a week or two, depending on the winds, Maria would be in Castile. Maria glanced down once again at the letter from the King abrogating the agreement between Angus and the Emperor, and releasing her from their betrothal. It was now time to leave, she tho
ught, stabbing away a tear.

  Fiona had proved the most gracious of hosts during Maria’s stay at Drummond Castle, making Maria and Isabel members of the family. Like three sisters, Maria, Fiona, and Elizabeth had learned much from one another, exchanging stories and gathering fond memories.

  And for tonight, this final night of their stay, Fiona had prepared a gathering. All would attend. All except John. Alec and Ambrose were expected any moment. But Elizabeth had learned from Ambrose that John was busy with the work of the King’s Council, Maria knew the truth. He would sooner travel into the jaws of death, than come to her. Understandably, he could not bring himself to see her again. But perhaps that was the best for all.

  Standing, she placed the letter from the king on the side table and looked into the long looking glass Fiona had sent in for her. Her stomach was flat and hard. How is it life could be growing in there? This was no time to be grieving past decisions, Maria thought, turning and slipping out the door into the torchlit corridor. She had a whole lifetime ahead of her, and a child to raise. Their child.

  Coming down the spiraling stairwell, Maria was nearly flattened at the landing by a giant of a young man who barreled into her with a black-haired girl on his heels. A steel-muscled arm helped her regain her balance, but she nearly laughed out aloud as she realized that her assailant was still using her as a shield against the attacking Jaime.

  “Please stand where you are, mistress,” the young man pleaded. “I’ll be forever in your debt if you can keep this banshee away from me.”

  Maria, staying between the seven year old girl and the towering young warrior, laughed heartily. “You can’t mean this wee lass?”