Highland Hearts 03 - Crimson Heart by Heather McCollum Page B

riding gloves against one hand. “I want the remaining grooms of the stable questioned.” She grabbed a goblet of wine one of her ladies brought to her on a silver platter. The Frenchman from the courtyard hovered nearby, looking grim.
    “Sit, sit.” She pointed to seats at the table Elena and Searc. “Henri, the wine has been tasted and there are no frantic horses about. You can step down.”
    The man, Henri, cast a dubious look at them as if he didn’t believe Marie was safe. His hand twitched near the handle of his sword at his side. His cropped hair and elegant clothes gave him a snobbish air, and he glanced at Elena with obvious appreciation over her beauty. The man didn’t know the danger he was in. Searc’s jaw tightened.
    He led Elena to a wooden chair at the rectangular table and waited for her to settle before standing behind her. He preferred to stay on his feet. Marie waved for wine to be brought to them. “It has been checked.” The regal woman nodded to Elena to encourage her to drink.
    “Has someone been poisoned?” Searc’s gaze moved to the guards flanking the regent.
    Marie’s lips tightened. “One of my pages tasting my wine several weeks ago. Lord Arran and his English dogs think to scare me off. Ha!” She took another large swallow as if to show just how unaffected she was by their attempts on her life.
    “I had heard of Arran’s visit to England,” Searc said, “but I didn’t know he was a traitor.”
    Marie set her goblet down. “Nothing can be linked to him, but he still covets this throne. He is next in line if mon petit Mary dies. While he prays for angels to take her, he tried to play regent and rule in her name. But Arran sides with the English and this country hates the English more than they hate the French, so the Scots are backing me. Which is why I am officially regent of this land. I will bring order here before my daughter takes over as queen.”
    A superior smile lit her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. “Though” —she tapped a manicured fingernail against her lip— “I have not heard much from my westernmost people.” She raised an eyebrow in a delicate arch. “Tell me, Searc Munro of Munro Castle, do the Highlanders trust that I am strong enough to hold this land for the little queen?”
    “I do not know the thoughts of all my countrymen, yer grace, but as I stated before, my father and I, along with the Macbains who border our land and the Macleods along the sea, all supported King James and will continue to support his rightful offspring.” Searc forced his jaw to relax in the closest he could get to a smile. “And we will support anyone who wants to keep English dogs out of our lands.”
    Marie leaned forward and laughed, a chilly flutter that made her black eyes dance. “ Oui, oui! I will never give your lands to English prigs.” She nodded as if his words relieved her. Her smile remained. “You are a friend of my court then, Searc Munro.” She cast a heavy glance down his body, assessing him. She said something slowly in French, her tone thick with sensuality. One of her ladies giggled. He raised an eyebrow at her open perusal.
    Elena’s voice broke the stare as she responded in French, her words soft and respectful. Several ladies smothered their laughter. Searc frowned. Whatever she’d said caused Marie to lift her eyebrows in question and she quipped something else, making him wish like hell that he’d taken French when his mother had suggested.
    “Poor bride.” Marie tsked . “You too are welcome here, Elena Munro, even though your relations are a curse on you. Your cousin’s laziness may have led to my broken neck and you are English.”
    “I am very sorry, your grace.” Elena bowed her head.
    Marie waved her regret away. “Apologies mean guilt, Elena Munro. And since you say you’ve never met your cousin before this day, you cannot be guilty.” Her eyes narrowed. “Though I will not be played a fool.”
    Elena met her strong