In Bed With A Stranger(84)
“At least Jamie’s nae in the mood to see us cooling our heels.”
Brodick moved forward, eager to see his king and quit the court. He had no ambitions that included remaining for any length of time among the schemers. The only favor currying he wanted to do was back home with his sweet wife. He’d gladly spend every night seeking her favor.
The guards uncrossed their pikes, allowing him and his men into the inner hall. It was decked out with the banners of the royal house. Here there were ladies wearing velvet and silk gowns. Their faces were painted but not the ghastly white of the English court. They still looked ridiculous to his eyes, their cheeks bright red and their lips the same shade.
Brodick lowered himself to one knee, Cullen and Druce mimicking him. He swung one fist against his left shoulder.
“Yer Majesty.”
James Stewart was an interesting cross between Scots and European style. He was seated on a throne at the end of a red carpet.
“McJames and McQuade, join me in my private chambers. Two men each.”
McQuade slid Brodick a sinister smile. The older man knelt on one knee the same as he had. The king stood and left the throne room. Brodick stood up, eyeing his nemesis.
“Ran crying to the king, did ye, McQuade?” Brodick smacked his lips. “Always knew ye were a whining bastard when ye lose. Like yer father before ye.”
The older man’s face turned ruddy. “And yer the son of a thief that waits ’til a man is in his cups to challenge him to a game of wits.”
Brodick smirked. “My father often said I look a lot like me mother. Since ye knew her, do ye agree?”
McQuade spat on the floor. “She was mine.”
Cullen scoffed at him while stroking a lock of his lighter hair that was the same shade as their mother’s had been. “Nay, man, we’re living proof that she was had well and good by our father.”
McQuade smiled. “Well, now we’ll be seeing just who has the last word.”
He moved toward the king’s private chambers, his spurs clanking against his boots. Druce patted Cullen on the shoulder once more.
“That had a nice ring to it.”
Cullen smirked. “Ye think so?”
“Oh, lad, aye.” Druce tilted his head to the side. “I think ye’re going to be quite the family when ye make good on that threat to tame Bronwyn.”
Cullen glared at Druce, his fingers tightening into a fist. There wasn’t time for more as they came into the king’s presence and hit a knee once more.
“Rise.”
James Stewart eyed McQuade first. The older man lifted his chin, stubbornly resisting the look from his monarch to soften his stance.
“McJames, tell me why ye wounded several of McQuade’s men last month.”
Brodick resisted the urge to grin. James might be dressed like a European king but beneath his pants he was pure Scot.
“Because I caught them burning some o’ me farmers’ homes.”
“’Tis not so.”
Druce stepped forward. “It is. Saw it with my own eyes.”
The king held up a hand. He looked at Druce.
“Ye swear that?”
“On the title of Bisbane. I was at Sterling for the celebration of my cousin’s marriage.” Druce pointed a finger at McQuade. “I rode out with Brodick and saw the torches myself.”
McQuade didn’t look repentant. Quite the contrary, the man’s face lit with satisfaction. The king grumbled beneath his breath.
“What am I going to do with ye, McQuade?” Jamie sat down and propped his hand on his knees. He rested his chin against one palm while considering McQuade and his men.
“The eyes of the world are on Scotland. We’ve no time for raids and quarrels long past settling. Man, that woman is long ago wed and her sons grown to men.”
McQuade shook his head. “I want a portion of the dowry returned. That will satisfy me.”
“Ye married a woman with a good dowry.”
“But no land. ’Tis the two-hundred measures of land I’m wanting. They were promised to me.” McQuade was yelling by the time he finished.
“No chance o’ that happening.” Brodick wasn’t much calmer. “Ye dragged me here for no reason. Yer men were raiding and I sent them back to ye whining like their master.”
“Enough.”
Jamie stood up. He pointed at McQuade. “Ye’ve wasted my time, man, and I’ll nae thank ye for that. That land went with the heiress. There will be no arguing with what a father settled onto his daughter thirty-five years ago. I suggest ye look to arranging a good match for yer sons if it’s a larger holding ye want.”
“But that bastard just took an English bride who will double his land yet again.” McQuade shook a tight fist in the air. “I want that land.”