The Heart Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

guests. Molly, she thought, was probably servicing one of them, or one of their servants, in the barn. Another problem to be solved.
    The great hall was more boisterous than ever. She hesitated. She did not have to pass it to go into the kitchen but her eyes were drawn to it. Not it it, she knew, but to one of the newly arrived guests.
    The Marquis of Braemoor was talking to Marjorie. He happened to look up then, as if he expected her. His gaze met hers, and for a moment she thought her legs would give way. The intensity in his eyes reached across the room. Voices in the room seemed to slow, and she wondered whether it were just the effect he had on her or whether her presence had actually lowered the amount of conversation.
    She turned and left, wondering what Marjorie was telling him, what others were saying. A poor wife. A bad marriage. Poison. She could almost hear Marjorie’s sharp words.
    Why did she care what he thought? He hadn’t wanted her years ago and it had broken her heart. He was a very wealthy man, according to rumor, a favorite of Cumberland who had little use for most Scots. That reminder should dampen any warm memories. She despised Cumberland. So why was she reacting like this?
    The unexpected kindness? God knew it had been a long time since she’d known any.
    The kitchens were full of workers, most of them hired only for this day. The food costs alone would mean she would have to be careful the rest of the year. She hadn’t seen the books yet, but she suspected that her husband had spent more than the revenues.
    Pies were coming out of the ovens. She took one along with three meat pastries and a crock of milk. She hadn’t eaten this day, and she did not think she could. Surprisingly, the Marquis of Braemoor was at the stone steps, looking as if he’d been waiting for her.
    “Can I be helping you with the tray?” he asked.
    Nay
. “Aye,” she said, leaving pride behind for a moment. She hadn’t realized how much she needed a kind word, nor someone who had known her father. “If you can take the crock of milk.”
    She led the way. The wall sconces had been lit and they spread shadows on the stone. She stumbled once, her foot catching on an uneven piece of stone, and she felt the strength of his arm steadying her.
    It’s the day of your husband’s funeral
. She kept reminding herself of that.
    They reached the top of the second set of steps and she led the way to the
nursery. He had one hand free and he opened it...
    “Ma...”
    The exclamation stopped suddenly as three pairs of light blue eyes looked at the Marquis of Braemoor. He was taller than Janet’s husband and solidly built. Annabella dove behind a chest, Rachel ducked into the room next door. Grace paled. Only Colin was undisturbed, and that was because he was sleeping.
    Janet looked up at Neil. He had a panicked look on his face as well.
    Janet put the tray loaded with pies on a table, then held out her hand to Grace.
    “Grace, this is the Marquis of Braemoor.”
    Grace took a few faltering steps, hanging back as much as she could.
    “He won’t hurt you, love.”
    Grace did not look convinced.
    Then he knelt and held out his hand. “I am Neil.”
    Grace curtsied but remained at a distance. Neil rose, looking as uncomfortable as a man could. “I had best leave.”
    “Thank you for helping me,” Janet said.
    He nodded and disappeared out the door.
    “He’s verra‘ big,” Grace said.
    “I know, love,” Janet replied, “but...” She had started to say “he’s not like your father.”
    But she did not know that. He had betrayed her once before. And certainly her husband had not been what she’d thought. How could she be so foolish again. It had just been his sudden appearance ...
    And the only kindness she’d known in far too long. But he’d been kind before. It meant nothing.
    Nothing.

    Neil felt like a monster. He’d not been around children since he was a child himself, if indeed he had ever been a child. But