Part 16 (1/2)

”Hurry. Brice promised us an hour. It will soon be time to sup with the others.”

In a daze Meredith stood helplessly as the women, caught up in the queen's plan, removed her gown and kid slippers and replaced them with the queen's jeweled burgundy velvet hunting outfit and high kid boots.

While Mary Seton laced the boots, Mary Livingstone brushed Meredith's hair and dressed it in the identical fas.h.i.+on to the queen's.

Meanwhile the queen was dressed in Meredith's white gown and kid slippers. Her plaited hair was brushed loose, falling in crimped waves to her waist.

When both women were ready, they walked to a looking gla.s.s, where they stood side by side and examined their' appearance. ; ”Something is wrong,” Mary Fleming said softly.

”It is the eyes. Anyone seeing Meredith's green eyes would know that she was not the queen.”

”A veil,” the queen muttered.

”Of course.” Fleming removed her veiled hunting toque and placed it upon Meredith's head.

The dark web like netting veiled her eyes and most of her upper face.

”Perfect.” The queen studied the girl beside her, then stared at her own reflection.

”Do you not feel regal in my garb, Meredith?”

It took the young woman a moment to respond.

”Aye. It is a strange feeling to know that my queen is wearing my clothes and that I am wearing hers.”

At a knock on the door they turned. Cara entered and curtsied before Meredith.

”My lord Campbell announces that a banquet has been prepared for Your Majesty.”

Meredith was so stunned by the servant's reaction that she gave a little gasp and stepped back in surprise. The women around her giggled. Beside her the queen, dressed in the wilted wedding gown, was nearly doubled over with spasms of laughter. The poor girl, confused by the unexpected response to her announcement, bowed her way from the room, keeping her gaze lowered.

”You see,” cried the queen.

”She never even looked up at you. She saw the gown, the auburn tresses, and believed that she was in the presence of the queen. Come,”

she called to Meredith and the others.

”We will enjoy Brice's feast and see who discovers our little joke first. Seton,” she said suddenly.

”I am betting a gold sovereign that our deception will not be discovered until after the first course of our banquet.”

”Aye, Majesty,” Mary Seton said softly.

”I will take your bet.”

”Majesty,” Mary Fleming said discreetly.

”If you are to be believable, you must stand back and allow Meredith to lead the way. And you must a.s.sume the mannerisms of a hostage and set aside your usual strong will.”

”Dear Flem. How clever of you.” The queen stifled a laugh and stepped aside, allowing Meredith to take the lead.