Page 64 of Promises to Keep

“We sent them from the castle, and Lochinvar and some of the young men followed them down the road so they wouldna turn back.”

“Lochinvar had a sword?”

“Aye, but none of the men in the party were gunnin’ tae fight, tis all good Young Magnus.”

The Earl entered and went to the head of the table and sat. He was wearing his long, cream brocade, at-home robe, tied with a sash at his waist. His hair was mussed.

He said, “Magnus, ye are filthy.”

Magnus said, “I dinna hae time tae change intae m’dinner clothes, Yer Highness.”

“Ah yes, because of the brawl. I am glad tae see it is—”

Lady Mairead pushed her chair back from the table and stood.

A hush went over the entire dining room.

She said, “Brother, I winna hae ye disrespect my sons. Sean has had tae remove a man from yer castle, a man who was showing a great deal of dishonor tae yer sister and her daughter, Yer Highness’s niece. Yer niece had tae flee your Great Hall tae seek help and safety. And m’son Magnus had tae beat a man for placing hands upon his wife. It is unconscionable that ye hae allowed it tae happen in yer hall and that ye...”

She drew in air. “I will go tae Edinburgh, I will tell all about how ye are runnin’ yer household, about the dishonor ye allow in yer hall.”

“That is nae necessary... I daena think ye should tell anyone...”

“Ye want me tae keep quiet on how yer household is run? Ye want me tae be silent on the fact that a man was here with his hands upon yer nephew’s wife? That the women of yer family were in fear and ye dinna lift a finger?”

“The men returned, Mairead! It was all well in the—”

“I will keep the sordid details tae myself and I will nae spread them tae the courts of Edinburgh or London, but I will tell ye, brother, ye winna allow Arran, his brothers or sisters, not one member of his family, nae even a cousin, if he has a good word tae say of him, in this castle or on yer grounds again. I winna stand for it. When the Earl of Lowden lived here he brought dishonor upon me, upon my children, upon ye, and now his sons are coming tae bring heaps more. It is because they believe ye are weak and they think ye are beneath them. I will nae stand for it again. They are nae allowed in the house.”

“I am tae feud with the Earl of Lowden and his sons?”

“Aye, tae yer last breath, and tae yer son’s last breath, for the rest of our family’s bloodline we are nae tae consort with the Lowdens. Or I will tell the world how weak ye are.”

“Fine, Mairead, sit down.”

She sat, her chin raised, haughtily. Her hands folded in her lap.

He said, “Sean, do ye agree with Lady Mairead — we are tae cut all ties with the Earl of Lowden? This is yer Grandfather’s title, these are yer step-brothers.”

“They are naething tae me, they hae done nothing but disrespect our good name. Ye ought tae acknowledge that they are dishonorin’ yer family.”

The Earl lifted his fork and knife. “Good, then I will send a message tae Lowden telling them that he and his sons are nae welcome on the lands of Breadalbane. Twill be their loss, everyone kens I hae the best lands, and the more important title. They will be begging tae gain m’good graces in no time.” He carved some meat and placed it in his mouth.

Lady Mairead nodded and muttered, “Good, finally. But brother, ye canna allow them in yer good graces, however they beg. If I visit again and hear that the Lowden family hae been in the castle, I will take all the money and power that I bestow upon ye and I will destroy yer reputation as well.”

“Lady Mairead, I do nae believe it will come tae that.”

“Good.”

I looked peripherally, all of us were looking down at our plates. Magnus squeezed my hand under the table.

Lizbeth whispered. “Good lord, did mum finally get her way?”

Sean said, “Aye, she has,finally.”

CHAPTER 33 - KAITLYN

Once the Earl had retired, and Lady Mairead had gone to her room, we all relaxed.

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