“I always forget how damn big it is,” said Duncan.
“I never realized,” was all Roo said.
They reached the palace and Erik announced them to the palace guard. The guard waved the wagon through while another ran to the main hall to inform the Duke. A third guard directed Roo’s wagon to a large double-door entrance set off to one side of a sharply rising broad flight of stairs.
Duncan said, “Must be important people who get to walk up those steps.” He leaped down from the wagon and with a nod of his head toward the door said, “For the common folks.”
Roo said, “Did you expect anything else?”
Duncan sighed, rubbing his backside in exaggerated relief. “All I know is that tonight I want a hot tub to soak in and a hot woman to keep me warm the rest of the night”
Roo smiled. “I’m sure that can be arranged.”
The doors to the palace opened, and down the steps came a well-dressed young man with a court retinue following behind. Then Roo noticed that the retinue was arranged in a loose circle around an elderly woman. Easily in her eighties, she still moved with a sure step and carried herself erect She held an ornate walking stick with a golden hilt, but it was as much for effect as for support. Her grey hair was swept up in a fashion new to Roo, and set with jeweled pins of gold.
The young man moved to where Erik waited, and Erik bowed. “My lord.”
“Grandmother,” said the young man to the elderly woman, “it’s here.” The two large doors next to the steps opened, and servants in the livery of the ducal household ran forth. The young man waved his hand toward the wagon and they began to untie the tarpaulin covering the cargo. The six large boxes were carefully handed down.
The woman pointed to the first box. “Open it.”
The servants complied; the woman poked into a loose assortment of clothing and moved it around with her walking stick. “This isn’t much to show for a lifetime, is it?”
Roo and Duncan exchanged glances, and the young man said to Erik, “Tell cousin Patrick we are all grateful for this. Grandmother?”
The old woman smiled, and Roo saw a hint of youthful beauty that must have been something to behold. “Yes, we are thankful.”
She motioned for her servants to pick up the boxes and said, “Arutha . . . he was always special to me. After my husband, I miss him most of all.” She seemed lost in thought, then said, “Duncan.”
Duncan stepped forward, confusion on his face, as the young man said, “Grandmother?”
“Ma’am?” asked Duncan.
The old woman glanced at the two men and smiled. “I was speaking to my grandson, sir,” she said to Duncan Avery. “I take it your name is also Duncan?”
Duncan removed his hat and swept into his most courtly bow. “Duncan Avery at your service, ma’am.”
To her grandson the woman said, “Tell your father I shall join his court shortly, Duncan.”
The young man nodded, glanced at the other Duncan, then hurried up the stairs. Coming to stand before Duncan Avery, she peered into his face. “I know you,” she said quietly.
Duncan smiled his most charming smile. “Madam, I hardly count that possible. I am certain had we met I would have no doubt about it”
The woman laughed, and Roo found it a surprisingly youthful sound from one so old. She tapped his chest with her finger. “I was right. I do know you. I married you.” She turned away and, as she returned to the waiting retinue, said, “Or someone very much like you, once, a long time ago.” Without looking back she added, “And if I ever see you within speaking distance of any of my granddaughters, I’ll have you horsewhipped from the city.”
Duncan looked at Roo with fleeting alarm crossing his face. Then the old woman looked at him as she mounted the first step, and Roo saw the mischief in her smile as she said, “Or brought to my quarters. Have a pleasant trip, gentlemen.” To Erik she said, “Sergeant, tell my grandnephew I am grateful for these keepsakes of my brother.”
Erik saluted. “M’lady,” he said.
Roo went over to Erik. “Who was that?” he asked.
Erik said, “The Lady Carline, Dowager Duchess of Salador. The King’s aunt.”
Duncan laughed. “She must have been something once.”
Roo elbowed his cousin in the ribs and said, “Seems she still is.”
They returned to the wagons and Duncan said, “So that was the precious cargo? Some old clothes and whatever?”
Roo mounted the wagon and said, “So it seems. But she certainly seemed to set great store by it.”
Duncan mounted the wagon and Roo called out, “Where to now, Erik?”
Erik said, “Inn of the Nimble Coachman. We passed it on the way here. They have the royal account.”