We Wait

23 August, 1360. Westerhaven Palace, Islia

Camilla held up one of the tiny embroidered smocks that Meg had prepared for her, then ran her fingers across the intricate stitching. "Thank you, Meg. These are just adorable."

Meg grinned. "You're most welcome, my lady. With Bess and you both having babies, making these is certainly a pleasant change from embroidering altar cloths."

Elizabeth smiled as she also admired the tiny garments. "Do you still think you'll have a boy, my lady?"

Camilla nodded. "That's my hunch. And if I'm right, I'll see if I can arrange to marry him off to baby Kate in a few years' time."

The four of them laughed at the thought.

Camilla wriggled on the bed, trying to stretch out her spine a little. Since his return to court, Archibald had been telling his wife more and more about the war against King Kenneth's forces, which of course Elizabeth would then share with her friends.