Page 6 of Lyon of Scotland
“So Kinnoull left you to shoulder the work?”
“He oversees other important matters. I consider myself fortunate. I am quite keen on the chance to have a rolein preserving and protecting Scottish history and its national character.”
“I see. I began here as a miniature painter thirty years ago, and trained in heraldic art in this very building. I too was fortunate to advance so far.”
“Indeed. One of your herald artists here also paints miniature portraits. Miss Hannah Gordon—I am acquainted with her family. I saw her as I came in.”
“Talented young lady. But she was in a bit of a bind when I met her through friends, so I offered her some work. Regretfully, I fear we may lose Miss Gordon soon.”
Dare gave a careful nod. “I understand she is to be married.”
“No longer, as it happens. So I expect she’ll want to return to Scotland. A pity, for she does excellent work. She has the skill to be one of the best, even for a female.”
Dare scowled at the sour remark. “Many heraldry artists have been female. They are equally capable. We employed two women until recently, when one married and the other left for family reasons. Well, I wish Miss Gordon the best.”
Hannah was not engaged? The unexpected news gave his spirit a lift. But why was she working here when she could so easily return home? Sir Archibald had said nothing of this.
“With King George’s coronation only months away,” Naylor was saying, “we have a good deal of work to do here.”
“I came down here hoping to lessen your work at a crucial time,” Dare said. “My office is prepared to take on all matters of Scottish heraldry in preparation for the coronation. The king’s Scottish armorials will need to be redesigned.”
“True, the king and the coronation ceremony will require new royal crests. But the College of Arms can create and approve all royal designs.”
Dare sucked in a breath and spoke carefully. “As you know, Sir George, your office is not the heraldry authority in Scotland.The Lyon Court remains separate, even under English rule. We oversee all Scottish armorials, including any for the new king.”
Naylor frowned, taking in Dare’s kilt, plaid sash, sporran, and more. His gaze caught the ivory hilt of the skean dhu peeking out of one stocking. “I am aware that the Scots know their history and heraldry well.”
“We take it very seriously in Scotland. Even a Highland crofter or shepherd can recite their clan’s history and the roster of their ancestors.”
“Crofters!” Naylor spoke with implied distaste. “Strathburn—Lord Lyon—I wonder how much pomp and formality the Scots show. Not a high level, I presume. What is your family’s crest, may I ask?”
Dare felt a chill of warning, and wondered if Naylor implied that a Scottish crest was inferior. “You have a record of it here in your archives. Painted copies of all Scottish crests have been sent to the College of Arms for centuries.”
“Simply describe the blazonry, if you will.”
Was this some sort of test? Dare was tempted to walk out, but straightened his spine. “Drummond is this,” he began. “On a crest coronet of Or, a goshawk, wings displayed Proper, armed and belled Or, jessed Gules. Wavy lines represent water, as a shipmaster was first to hold the name.”
“Impressive. Scottish clan emblems tend toward swords, antlers, raised fists, buckled belts, and so on.”
Naylor had some disdain for the Scots; the attitude was not uncommon in England, Dare knew. So be it. “The Drummond ship and hawk were granted centuries ago in honor of the shipmaster who brought Princess Margaret of England safely to Scotland in the eleventh century to marry King Malcolm. That captain settled in Scotland and took the name Drummond. Our motto,” he continued, skewering Naylor’s gaze, “is ‘gang warily.’ Go carefully, sir.”
“So you, a Highlander, think you should oversee the privilege of designing the king’s Scottish coat of arms?”
“I do.” Dare did not waver his stare.
Naylor sighed. “I will consider it. Will you be in London for a while? We can discuss it later.”
“For a short while. I have another errand related to King George. I am to convey a gift of Highland whisky to him from the Scottish government. The casks will arrive soon by steamship.”
Now he had another errand, one he would keep close. Learning that Miss Gordon was no longer engaged changed everything; he might decide to stay in London longer. Hope was dawning in him. He was not accustomed to the feeling, but he rather liked it.
“I see,” Naylor said. “You will need an introduction to present it to the king, but I can arrange that. He stays at Carlton House while Buckingham is being renovated.”
“Thank you, but Sir Walter Scott has offered to introduce me. He is a frequent visitor to Carlton House at the king’s invitation.”
“Ah. I understand the king enjoys Mr. Scott’s company. Whisky, is it? Curious.”
“The king is very fond of Highland whisky, they say, so the Scots wish to gift the king a supply in honor of his coronation. I was asked to present it as Lord Lyon.”
