Highland Games

Chapter Two

I cannot hide the smile that creeps onto my face when he looks into my eyes. I don't think that I had ever seen such beautiful ones as his before. The way that the vast shades of blue and grey danced with one another, it genuinely took my breath away. I could not believe how lucky I was that I would get to look into them for the rest of my life.

His thumb softly grazes the top of my hand and that was when I realized that he had not let go of my hand. Not wanting to be improper, I was half tempted to remove mine, but there was  something about the way his hand felt in mine that I found myself unable to do so. He squeezes my hand softly before letting go and I find myself longing to take his hand again.

"I hope that the people of Edinburgh treated you well," he speaks up and I find myself enchanted by his accent. I could not take my eyes off of him, it was so strange to finally be standing in front of him. For years I had been sent portraits of him but the man painted on those canvases and the one standing in front of me were two different people.

A deep blush covers my cheeks as I realized that I was staring at him. "The people of Edinburgh were wonderful, Your Grace. I do not think that I could have asked for a warmer greeting," I smile softly as I remember the cheers of the people as I entered the city. Truly I was humbled by their reception, and incredibly grateful that they welcomed me with open arms.

He smiles back at me, "Good. I hope that you know how much the country adores you, Mary," he says, pausing for a moment after he says my name. He looks at me as if for permission, and I grant it with a soft smile. My heart fluttered in my chest at the sound of my name escaping his lips. I longed for him to say it once more, to hear his melodic voice and accent whisper it in such a way that I could listen to it again and again. 

"I apologize for pulling you aside so abruptly, but I wished for us to meet away from everyone," he continues to speak as he offers me a glass of wine. "I also wanted to give you a moment to rest, I know that you have had a long journey to get here."

My smile grows even more as I accept it, enjoying the strange sense of comfortably with one another. It was as if we had know each other all of our lives. "You do not need to apologize, James," I pause, glancing up at him for permission. He smiles happily at me as he nods his head, causing my heart to skip in my chest.

My eyes turn to the window before me, captivated by the beautiful scenery in front of me. "In your letters you never mentioned how beautiful your country was," I speak up, my eyes glancing towards his for a second. We both walk towards the window, our eyes locked on the view in front of us. "Had I known that this was what waiting for me I'd have come sooner," I sigh as I press my head against the glass.

His smile softens as he looks down at me, his hand softly brushing a piece of hair out of my face. "Then I think that I shall regret that for the rest of my life," his voice is soft and his eyes are warm and inviting, and I could not help but find myself moving closer to him. "I have something to give you," he says as he takes a step back motioning to a package on the table behind us.

I blush as my hand reaches for my heart, unable to hide the smile on my face. I did not expect him to be so welcome and generous towards me. Was this truly what was waiting for me all this time? "You did not need to get me anything, James," I tell him as I walk towards the package, gasping when he revealed a beautiful tartan dress.

"This is the Stuart tartan," he begins to speak as I run my hands across the soft wool. Deep reds and vibrant greens are interwoven in a beautiful plaid pattern; it was truly the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. "I want you to wear this at our wedding tomorrow, so that all of Scotland will know that you are their true queen."

He pauses for a moment before turning to a second package. "I also want you to wear this as well," he continues as he opens the box to reveal a stunning pearl and diamond crown. My jaw drops as he holds it up, the lights dancing across the jewels. I had a few pieces of jewelry left over from my mother, but none were as stunning as this was.