The Beauty of the Mist (32 page)

When will this man be finished, John thought impatiently. He had been physically present in escorting Count Diego and the rest of the Palace delegation through their formal visit of the
Great Michael
, but not in mind. Thankfully, David had stepped in and led the tour, pointing out the improvements that had been made to the huge warship since John had taken over as Lord of the Navy. The young navigator, somehow realizing his commander’s attention was elsewhere, had been eager and quick to respond to the varied interests of the visitors. So John had not needed to dwell for very long on the few questions directed to him.

John felt the difference in him. He was not unaware of the watchful and appraising looks with which Count Diego regarded him. But the minister’s estimation of him mattered so little. What had mattered so deeply a month ago did not seem so important today. Though he knew the
Great Michael
was impressive, it was almost humorous to think that he simply did not care if this delegation were impressed by his ship or not. On the other hand, as he had been striding down the quayside from Hart Haus, his mind had been fully occupied with hopes the Maria would be impressed by Benmore Castle, the Macpherson clan holding. He knew that his family would love Maria, but would she take to his home and his parents as his brother’s wives had done?

John’s mind drifted back to the lovemaking that had kept them up for most of the night. His life had carried him all over the world, and into the arms of many women, but his experience in the courtly art of love paled in the light of her rich and joyous response. Indeed, there had been moments when he’d risen out of the love mist only to realize that he’d been reduced to little more than an eager lad. She made him feel sixteen again– wild, uncontrollable, and driven with the buoyant thrill of the first time–and proud of the ecstasy that he had wrought in her.

But he would do better than that, he promised himself. After dinner, after they returned from the Palace, he would show her another side. He would make tonight a feast she would never forget. But then, once they were married, they would have many nights that they would never forget.

As the tour continued on along one of the gun decks, John heard Count Diego remarking on the German cannons that sat in readiness behind the closed gunports. Something about the marriage of excellent firepower and superb seamanship vaguely registered in the Highlander’s brain.

Marriage! He would scarcely have believed it himself. The thought of it had been so remote a possibility for so long. He had reconciled himself to the bachelor’s life, and was not distraught at the prospect. But now...now a new life stretched out before him. One full of promise. He wondered briefly if he might coax Maria into marrying him at Benmore Castle right after they arrived. They could go to her people later– after the wedding. Aye, he would take her any place she wanted to go. They could swim in the blue seas off the coast of India! Lie in beds of silk in China! If she wanted, he would show her the wonders of the New World!

The sun was warm on John’s face as they climbed into the bracing, fresh air of the forward deck. The Highlander looked up at the sails, tightly furled, and at the string of banners that flapped merrily in the spring breeze. The one that displayed the coat of arms of the Macphersons, with its rampant cat, claws outstretched. That same banner flew proudly over Benmore Castle.

His oldest brother, Alec, and his wife, Fiona, had settled in comfortably at Benmore. Perhaps Maria would enjoy life in the Highlands. It was a rough and wild country, but he build her a new tower house of her own, with all the modern comforts. But, of course, she might just would she prefer to live at court, or in one of Europe’s fine cities–Paris or Rome perhaps. But bairns were best raised in the country, John thought. Interestingly, he’d always thoroughly enjoyed the time he’d spent with his nephews, but never had he ever thought of being a father himself. Until now, that is. He smiled to himself at the thought of a house full of daughters with Maria’s green eyes and her beautiful, ivory skin. But then, perhaps he should warn her of the other Macpherson bairns. Other than Ambrose’s darling daughter Jaime, there had been only sons born to the line.

The Highlander sighed deeply, recalling how these very thoughts, voiced by other men, had sounded to trivial. So many times he’d looked on these things as weaknesses in those men. Frivolous, he’d once called these very same thoughts that now he eagerly embraced. What else matters more? he asked himself. What, indeed?

John followed Count Diego down the gangplank and onto the quay. The steel helmeted soldiers came to attention. These were Spanish soldiers, and the ship’s commander knew them to be a formidable fighting force. Not that they had ever come up against an army of Highlanders.

He wondered if that was how Maria felt. There was so much that he was planning without ever speaking a word of to her. John cursed himself. He had to make sure that she didn’t feel bullied. The only thing that mattered was that she love him. Together they could plan the rest of their lives. Whatever she chose, whatever made her happy, he would be content with. So long as she remained by his side, his life would be perfect.

Count Diego de Guevara turned and gazed contemplatively at the handsome ship, his hand smoothing his graying beard with one hand. The Palace men, despite their obvious efforts to restrain themselves, were clearly impressed. John caught a look from David that confirmed his observation. Then, with a word of approval–and one final glance at John–the minister mounted his black steed and led his party back into the city.

Not moments after their departure, John was ready. Ready to go back to Hart Haus. To Maria. After giving his final instructions to David regarding the crew, he turned to leave, only to have his navigator stop him and mention the message he’d had from Janet Maule earlier–about wanting to reach Lady Maria.

John shrugged off the incident. Most likely Mistress Janet was looking for more interesting company than the lot of boring gentry they’d brought along. John smiled, certain that the young woman had simply sought Maria’s company. He, for one, couldn’t blame her, and the friendship that had begun to blossom between Janet and Maria had been obvious.

But as the Highlander strode through the crowded and winding streets of Antwerp, he hoped their visit had ended. They’d had a long enough talk, he decided magnanimously, and as he walked he prepared a cordial speech to start the young woman off for the Palace. But by the time John arrived at the Hart Haus, he wasn’t quite sure how civil he would be showing Mistress Janet to the door. He needed to see Maria. He needed to be alone with her. Climbing the stone steps, he thought his heart might burst if he couldn’t soon hold her in his arms, if he couldn’t look into her brilliant, emerald eyes and lose himself in them. The few, short hours he’d been away seemed like ages to him now. Marching into the front door of the house, John called out her name.

Waving off the servants who approached him, the Highlander took the steps three at a time en route to her chamber. Shoving open the door without knocking, he stood in the doorway and scanned the empty room. Though his beloved was not there, he noted the beautiful dress of cloth of gold spread on top of the bed covers. So, she was going to the dinner, after all, he thought happily. Backing out of the room, he headed up the stairs toward Elizabeth’s studio. She had been so much at peace there; it was only natural for her to go back.

Elizabeth would like Maria, John was certain of that. There was something about Maria’s unassuming ways that would make it hard for anyone to not adore her.

Reaching for the studio door, he opened it wide with one fluid motion and stepped inside. The silence and the darkness of the room slapped him in the face. This had been the room they’d first made love. But the shuttered window blocked out all light and hid from his sight any sign of his woman.

“Maria,” he called out softly. John’s eyes adjusted quickly, but the search was futile and a gnawing fear began to edge up his spine.

The sitting room beside her bedchamber. He backed out and hurried excitedly down the corridor. He’d simply passed the room in his rush to her chamber and never so much as glanced inside. The poor thing hadn’t eaten so much as a morsel of bread this morning before he left. He hadn’t given her time for it. Of course, Pieter would have laid out a fine meal for her. She was probably in that sitting room eating right now, and John wagered that Maria had probably been starving. Charging down the winding steps, he headed back toward the young woman’s chamber.

He almost knocked Pieter down as he barreled onto the landing.

“Sir John, you are back.”

“I am. At last.” John placed a friendly arm around the steward. “I am going to join Lady Maria. Tell the cook that I am hungry enough to eat a boar. She’s in her sitting room, if I’m not mistaken.”

As the Highlander released him and headed down the corridor, the steward quickly fell in step with him.

“But m’lord,” Pieter cried. “Lady Maria is no longer here.”

John came to an abrupt stop and whirled on the man. “What do you mean, she is no longer here? Where else could she be? Where? When is she coming back?”

The portly steward paled under the heat of the Highlander’s angry glare. “I am sorry, Sir John. But I thought you were aware of her departure. The Scotswoman that came for Lady Maria was escorted by some of your own men.”

“Maria left with Mistress Janet?” John asked, confused. “Didn’t they tell you where they were going?”

“Nay, m’lord. They said nothing.” The steward shook his head. “I was quite concerned, Sir John. One moment, Lady Maria was happily arguing with the seamstress and her helpers, seemingly as contented as one might hope to be, and the next–it was immediately after she’d spoken with this Mistress Janet–Lady Maria became deadly pale. She was clearly upset, but what could I do?”

“What was she upset about?” John asked impatiently. The only thing that he could think of was that Caroline had sent her some twisted message. But he dismissed the thought immediately; Janet Maule was Maria’s friend. Surely the young woman would not play a part in any deceit Caroline might cook up.

“I don’t know, Sir John. Lady Maria said very little.” Pieter pointed to the open door of Maria’s room. “After speaking with Mistress Janet, she simply hurried about her chamber, gathering her things.” The steward’s face showed his distress as he trailed the distraught Highlander into Maria’s bedchamber. “How could I interfere, m’lord. Your men were waiting below. This Mistress Maule seemed such a quiet and kindhearted young woman. When Maria said good-bye to me, she was clearly leaving of her own accord, though I thought for a moment that she was about to break down and cry.”

John felt every muscle in his body tightening. He had to restrain his temper to not shout at the man. “Did you ask her anything, Pieter? Such as when she is returning. Or what all of this is about.”

Crestfallen, the man shook his head. “It happened so suddenly, m’lord. Just seeing your men, and this Mistress Janet, a Scottish woman from the delegation...I just thought...I just never thought that you would be unaware of what was happening.”

John turned away and surveyed the chamber. He shouldn’t blame the man. Caroline had to be at the root of all this, and it wasn’t Pieter’s fault that he, himself, had bedded the most conniving woman alive for almost seven years. It wasn’t this poor servant’s fault that John had put himself in a position where Caroline Maule could possibly hurt the woman he loved.

“I am dreadfully sorry, Sir John.” Pieter spoke from behind. “I just never thought... You don’t fear for her safety?”

The worry in his voice made John turn around. The weight of this distress seemed to be bending his old back even further. “None of this is your fault, Pieter. As you said, she left with Janet Maule and my own men. They won’t let any harm come to her. It can only mean that Mistress Janet is taking Maria to the Palace. But why? That is what I cannot understand. And without me.”

“She left before the seamstress completed her gown,” the steward put in, pointing to the dress lying across the bed.

John nodded vaguely and crossed the room to the great bed, with its canopy of deep blue damask. Lost in thought, the Highlander ran his fingers over the weave of golden thread. What the hell Caroline was up to, anyway? What else could explain it? And what else could Janet have said that might upset Maria so much? The oddest part was that Maria must have gone to the Palace, in spite of knowing no one there.

Perhaps, he thought–trying to be more positive–perhaps the reason has nothing to do with Caroline. Perhaps this is all some elaborate surprise. After all, she
had
absolutely refused before to go to this welcoming feast. Perhaps, he argued with himself, but not very likely.

“You are certain, Pieter. Lady Maria was upset when she left Hart Haus?” John asked again.

“I am absolutely certain, m’lord,” the steward nodded. “When a person looks into those green eyes of hers, he can see clear to her soul. Besides, her hands were ice cold and trembling when she lay them in mine. Oh yes, and she even forgot to take her aunt’s letter.”

John stared at the older man. “A letter from Isabel? When did she receive this letter?”

“Last night, m’lord. It arrived during dinner. There it is.” Pieter pointed at the envelope sitting on the small side table near the bed. “Perhaps Lady Maria dropped it in her haste. One of the maids found it beside the bed.”

John turned and looked down at the letter. She hadn’t said a thing to him about receiving word from Isabel. But again, the two of them had been occupied with other matters. “Thank you, Pieter. That will be all, for now.”

“Will you be dining in the Palace this evening, Sir John?”

He nodded. “Aye, and I’ll be getting to the bottom of this, as well.”

As the steward reached the door, he paused and looked back at the giant commander. “I truly hope you’ll be bringing lady Maria back with you, m’lord. She’s a fine woman, if I may say so.”

“Aye, Pieter. That she is. And don’t you worry, I’ll be bringing her back.”