Page 108 of Promises to Keep

Magnus chuckled. “The message here, Archibald, is yer da is always right.”

I rolled my eyes. “You are sometimes right. In this one moment, I will concede that you always know when I am pregnant before I know myself. It’s infuriating.”

Magnus shrugged, “Tis also verra romantic: I love ye, and I canna take m’eyes from ye, and so I see yer changes. Ye are irritated with me for doin’ what ye ken I canna help.”

“That is a very good point, and I love you too.”

Emma said, “So when’s your due date? When did you conceive?”

I grinned, “October 20, 1708.”

Emma said, “Uh oh, um — how many days ago?”

“Like twenty-one?”

“Looks like your due date will be in late July, if you don’t change your timeline in any way.”

“Maybe we ought to etch marks into a clay tablet that I carry in my pocket and count the days that way.”

Zach rubbed his hands together, and said, “So we’ll have a celebratory meal, but once I go in the kitchen don’t keep talking about big things out here. I can’t hear you from there and I don’t want to miss anything.”

Emma said, “I’ll FaceTime you if anyone else shows up pregnant.”

CHAPTER 51 - KAITLYN

Lady Mairead entered the room.

Her hair was dark auburn again, swept up in a French twist. She had applied makeup and looked younger and healthier, although thinner than usual. She was wearing a well-designed pantsuit, as if she was going to a luncheon of the G-8 summit.

She announced, “I am nae pregnant, in case anyone was wondering,” and smoothed down the front of her suit. “Thank ye for ordering the clothes for me, Madame Emma. It feels verra fine tae be well dressed again.” As she said it her eyes trailed over the rest of us, wearing casual clothes, some looking an awful lot like pajamas.

Emma said, “You’re welcome.”

“What is the conversation?”

Magnus said, “We are announcing that Kaitlyn is with bairn.”

She sat down at the table. “Of course, I mentioned it tae her weeks ago, this is yer usual ‘announcement’, Magnus? Something we all ken already?”

He laughed. “We all kent it, but I still get tae announce it, tis part of being a king. I get tae do whatever I want. I can make proclamations and make them a grand thing, such as this, ‘I hearby announce that after many long days m’mother has finally gotten out of bed.’ See? Tis verra regal sounding when a king says it.”

She huffed and asked Zach for tea and not tea from the machine, a proper tea from the kettle. Then she added, “This is why I wanted tae speak tae ye, Magnus. And though I believe sometimes it ought tae be private, I am sure ye will expecteveryonetae hear.”

“About what, the tea kettle?”

“Nae the kingdom — pay attention, Magnus, your kingdom is gone. We hae tae come up with a way tae regain it.”

Fraoch said, “Tae play, for one moment, devil’s advocate, do we?”

She said, “Of course we do, there is imminent danger tae the—”

Magnus stood, “Madame Sophie, would ye mind taking the bairns outdoors for a time?”

“I would love tae. Bairns! Let us go tae the bridge and play m’favorite game, throwin’ sticks intae the current.”

Beaty said, “I want tae come, I feel so much better now.” She climbed from the couch and followed Sophie and the kids outside.

Magnus said, “Now ye can speak on the danger, Lady Mairead.”

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