Page 38 of Promises to Keep

Lizbeth said, “A queen isverradifferent, the bloodline flows through them, and if there is nae son, the daughter is good enough — tis sometimes better than nae having a secure line.”

Sean said, “But in passing down a lordship, lands and a castle, ye canna expect it tae go tae the children of unmarried Mairead, from a match with m’father, who died years ago, a drunken lout leavin’ his title tae his eldest son by his first wife… Nae, we daena hae a castle, we must continue our lot here as the familial guests of the Earl and his sons. I am thankful m’sister is such a help tae the Earl or we might hae been kicked from the castle years ago.”

Lizbeth said, “He canna run the castle without me, but he needs ye just as well for the lands, brother. Ye do run the lands verra well. We haena had trouble since the battles on the walls and then later, the occupying army from… what was his name, Roderick was it? And then there was Padraig.”

Sean said, “Aye, they were following Young Magnus, och, ye hae brought a great deal of trouble, brother.”

Magnus held up his hands. “Daena hold it against me, Sean, I dinna mean tae bring the trouble, it just seems tae follow me.” He added, “But about the castle, I ken she canna inherit the title, there is nae chance of it — I dinna think twould happen, but Lady Mairead has a way of makin’ things work for her. I always thought she would win it, perhaps through a wager with the Earl.”

We all laughed. Sean said, “She is verra cunning, and she would love tae take it from her brother, but och nae, if she could take it, her gloating would ring through the castle.”

“Where is John, the Earl’s son, now? He is here?”

“Nae, he daena like the castle much. He is livin’ most of the year in Edinburgh.”

“I ken ye hae always liked this castle and the lands.”

“Och it is a verra good home for m’sons. I dream someday my sons will hae the run of it. I worry once the Earl is gone, my sons will hae a harder time of it. I am the link that holds us all here in the castle, if somethin’ happens tae me or tae m’sons, then my whole line will hae nae where tae go.”

“We just need tae secure yer place. I will speak tae the Earl about it, perhaps we can get ye a title, our mother might be able tae do something… and Kilchurn is in ruins, hae they rebuilt?”

“A messenger told me they are rebuilding, aye.”

“Once done, tis yers, ye ken, ye can hae it.”

“I appreciate it, Magnus, but hae ye seen Kilchurn lately? Tis fine for ye tae say tis mine, tis almost a ruin. Twill take a great deal of time and energy tae build it again. But ye daena need tae worry on it, m’sons are strong, this castle is braw, and we hae a promise that we can live here as the niece and nephews of the Earl for as long as we want. We ought tae nae borrow trouble.”

Lizbeth said, “There is always time for Lady Mairead tae work her magic.”

“Tis true.” A server delivered a plate of what looked like mounds of brown hard bread and placed it in the middle of our table.

Magnus said, “What’s this then?”

Lizbeth said, “This is the kitchen’s attempt at cookies, Young Magnus, they canna get the recipe right, but ye canna complain or they get verra upset.”

“Och nae, tis verra…” Magnus tried to pull up a corner, it shattered into crumbs. “I need a chisel tae get intae it.”

Sean said, “Careful, ye may break a tooth, the last batch looked much better.”

Lizbeth said, “Twas raw!”

“Aye, but it dinna wound yer gums.”

Lizbeth said, “Well, I am nae going tae even attempt tae eat it, because I hae been promised, by the arrival of Magnus and Kaitlyn, proper sweets.”

I said, “So many sweets, as soon as Lochinvar is done bringing them up.”

I glanced up to see the server, an older woman by the name of Mary, nodding and gesturing for us to eat the inedible cookies.

Lizbeth sighed. “Och, we are goin’ tae hae tae partake.” She broke off a bit, put the tiniest bit in her mouth and made a large production of chewing and smiling. “Tis verra good!”

Mary beamed, bowed, and left the room.

Lizbeth grimaced and pushed the plate away as Lochinvar entered, lugging one of the largest boxes. Lizbeth clapped her hands.

Magnus said, “Finally! We hae presents for all!”

He opened a box, and working deftly inside, pulled small paper bags over cans, and passed the drinks around the table. Sean immediately pulled his can from the bag and read, “Coo...Ca... Cal...?”

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