Just Beyond Tomorrow (Skye's Legacy Book 5) by Small Bertrice

Author:Small, Bertrice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency
Published: 2023-02-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Flanna returned the gown to Annie, asking, “Hae ye seen my nephew about? The lad I rode in wi’ yesterday.”

“He was wi’ the duke’s men, m’lady,” Annie replied. “Do ye want me to fetch him to ye?”

“Nay,” Flanna said. “I just wanted to know where he was. My brother would be angry wi’ me if the lad were harmed or got into mischief. Worse, Fingal’s mam would hae the hide off of me.”

Annie chuckled. “I understand. Me mam is fierce where her lads are concerned. Shall I bring ye something to eat, m’lady?”

Flanna nodded. “There were nae women asked to the king’s feast,” she explained.

“Was the coronation grand?” Annie asked, curious.

Flanna nodded. “And verra long,” she told the innkeeper’s daughter. “The preacher chosen to speak went on and on and on. He didna think highly of the Royal Stuarts, for he said terrible things about them. He called them godless and fornicators. From all he said, and if it were true, I’m surprised they let our king back into Scotland at all,” Flanna observed.

Annie giggled. “Me da says they’re a bunch of sour old psalm singers who would squeeze all the joy out of life if they could. But dinna say I said it, for we could get in trouble.” She curtsied. “I’ll fetch ye something nice, m’lady.” Then she hurried out with her gown.

When she returned, she carried a tray containing a breast of capon, a small loaf of fresh bread, a crock of butter, a dish of cherry jam, and a generous wedge of hard yellow cheese. She set the tray down.

“Will ye hae wine or ale, m’lady?” she asked Flanna.

“Ale,” Flanna told her.

“I’ll fetch a pitcher,” Annie responded, and was gone again to return a few minutes later. She set the container on a sideboard.

“Just shout out if you need me again, m’lady,” Annie said, and she curtsied again before disappearing out the door.

Flanna sat down and devoured the food the girl had brought. In the streets outside, and in the inn itself, she could hear the celebration for the king’s crowning going on despite the cold winter weather. She sat by the fire, full and warm, and was suddenly aware of how tired she really was. She had never undertaken such a journey as the one to Perth. She had been concerned the entire way that Charlie would catch her and send her right back. She had not slept well in the stables in which they had sheltered. The food had not agreed with her. And all the time she had fretted that Patrick might realize she had not gone to Killiecairn and come after her before she could attain her goal.

But she had achieved her objective. She had met the king, and she had received his kind blessing to raise troops. And raise a levy she would! She would be Flanna Leslie of Glenkirk who had done her duty in grand style for Charles Stuart, the second king of his name. Her portrait would

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