Part 70 (1/2)
”Until this woman's son returns and is able to work the land I will grant you permission to plant your crops on her land.”
The man smiled, enormously pleased at his good fortune.
”Provided you give half your crops to your neighbor in payment for the use of such land.”
The man's mouth dropped open.
”But it is my labor, Majesty, that produces the crops.”
”Aye. And her land. Furthermore, when her son returns, the land reverts to him and his mother.”
”But, Majesty...”
”That is the judgment of your queen.”
During this entire exchange, the crowd had grown very quiet. It was obvious, from the smiles on many of the faces, that they were pleased with the queen's decision.
At the queen's first words, Brenna and Megan stared at each other in shock. Though the clothes and jewels were those of a queen, the voice was Meredith's. There was no mistaking it. But though both girls craned to see over the crowd, they could not see their queen's face.
As distracted as Brice was, he, too, knew that the voice he was hearing was not that of Mary. From his position at the back of the gallery he studied the regal figure upon the throne.
By all that was holy. Meredith. Disguised as the queen.
A smile touched his lips and crinkled the corners of his eyes. So that was why she had been so unnerved this morrow. The rumors about the queen's tryst with Lord Both- well were the truth. And once again his little firebrand was being shamelessly used by Mary.
Brenna and Megan tugged at his sleeve, eager to share their secret.
But he put a finger to his lips and nodded. Puzzled, they turned around and continued to watch as this amazing charade was played out.
The pet.i.tions dragged on and Meredith handled those that were within her realm. Any that seemed too complicated, or too politically explosive, were ”taken under advis.e.m.e.nt Each time Meredith made a decision her voice grew stronger, her mannerisms more regal, until she found herself thinking and acting like the queen.
When a nervous old woman in a shabby dress pet.i.tioned to force a n.o.bleman to pay her for the clothes she had made him, Meredith turned to study the finely attired man.
”Did the lady make the clothes you are wearing?”
He bowed slightly before his queen.
”Aye, Majesty. But one of my own servants had to strengthen the seam here,” he said pointing, ”or I would not have been able to wear it.”
”Has she made other clothes as well?”
”Some, Majesty. But all of them needed additional work.”
”And you have paid this woman nothing?”
”Her work was shoddy.”
”Yet you continue to wear the clothes she made.”
The man fell silent.