His mother came to look. ‘What flag is that?’
‘The flag of the new Union, with the crosses of St Andrew and St George combined,’ her son replied, his voice hard-edged with bitterness. ‘Which means that our Scots navy is no more.’
‘Ah, well.’ His mother sighed. ‘’Twas only the three ships.’
‘Aye, but those three ships were our own,’ he said, ‘and now they, too, are lost to us. I wonder if our friend the Duke of Hamilton appreciates the price that has been paid that he may keep his lands in Lancashire.’
Sophia, while they talked, had been deciding what she ought to do with Moray’s gloves, still clutched within her hand. She did not think the countess or the earl would take exception to the fact that she’d been riding with the man, but they might question why she was now in possession of his personal accessories. Not seeing any place where she could easily conceal the gloves, she sat, and tucked them safely underneath her on the chair.
She was still sitting there when Captain Gordon was announced.
He strode into the room with all the swagger she remembered, handsome in his long blue coat with the gold braid and polished buttons gleaming bright against the fabric. Greeting first the countess, then the earl, he came across to take Sophia’s hand and raise it to his lips as he bowed low before her, smiling with great charm. ‘And Mistress Paterson, I trust you have recovered from your late attempt at horse-racing?’
‘I have, sir, thank you.’
‘I am glad to hear it.’
As he straightened and released her hand, the earl asked bluntly, ‘Do you come alone?’
‘Aye. Captain Hamilton is yet some hours behind me.’
‘Then,’ the countess said, ‘you will have time to dine with us, I hope.’
‘I should be honored.’ Looking at her levelly, he said, ‘I was informed that you might have another visitor.’
‘We do.’
‘I came as soon as I was able.’ Before saying more, he glanced towards Sophia, and the earl, observing this, remarked, ‘You may feel free to speak when Mistress Paterson is with us, as you’d speak were we alone. She has our confidence, and trust.’ And with these words the earl moved forward so he stood beside Sophia’s chair, with one hand resting on it as a mark of his endorsement. ‘Colonel Hooke arrived some days ago, and is now gone to make a progress through the country, treating with our well-affected nobles. But he has left with us another, who, should you desire it, will be able to acquaint you with the mind of our young king.’
Captain Gordon frowned. ‘Who is this person?’
From the doorway, Moray’s voice said calmly, ‘I believe he speaks of me.’ Then, to the countess, ‘Ye’ll forgive me, but I did see clearly from my chamber window that the captain came ashore alone.’
The captain’s eyes were slightly narrowed as with recognition. He said, ‘Your servant, Mr…？’
‘Moray.’
Certain now above the handshake, Captain Gordon said, ‘I do believe we met three years ago, before your father’s death.’
‘I do recall our meeting.’ Moray’s voice, though even, held no warmth, and sounded to Sophia’s ears a little like a challenge.
Captain Gordon, having thought a moment, said, ‘At the time, as I remember, you were in the service of the King of France.’
‘Aye. I serve him still.’
‘And was it he who ordered you to Scotland, with a price upon your head?’
‘’Tis not a soldier’s place to ask who gives the order,’Moray said. ‘My duty but demands that I do follow it. I could no more have refused to come than ye could have refused to hoist the Union flag upon your mast.’
The countess, stepping in, said, ‘Thomas, Mr Moray does well understand the many dangers of his being here. ’Tis why he did decide it best that he remain with us at Slains.’
Her voice, as always, calmed the waters. Captain Gordon said to Moray, ‘I did not mean to suggest that you were reckless.’
‘Did ye not?’
‘No.’ With a charming smile, the captain added, ‘And you are quite right—were it my choice, I would not sail beneath the Union flag. In confidence, I may not sail beneath it long.’
The earl asked, ‘Why is that?’
‘I may soon be obliged to quit the service.’ Captain Gordon’s shoulders lifted lightly in a shrug that held regret. ‘In consequence of the Union, I soon shall be required, as will all officers, to take an oath of abjuration which demands that I renounce King James, and say that he has no right to the throne.’