Page 65 of Promises to Keep

Lizbeth said, “I hae never heard her take that tone with him. Och, twas impressive.”

Sean said, “She is fortunate she inna spendin’ a night in the stockade.”

* * *

Magnus waited until Liam and Sean had their attention elsewhere and asked Lizbeth, “Lizbeth, do ye happen tae hae any of Lady Mairead’s writings or books in yer possession?”

She said, “Ye mean like the books that she carries in her pocket?”

“Aye, I wondered if ye kent where she might keep them when she has filled them with notes?”

“Nae, I daena, but I think she would want tae keep them hidden, and though she trusts me tae keep her secrets, she kens it would be out of my hands. If m’husband wanted tae, he could force me tae divulge them. If the Earl made a point of searchin’ m’rooms, twould be within his rights tae find whatever he wants, it is his castle.”

Magnus nodded. “Aye, I thought as much. Kaitlyn and I suspect that Lady Mairead is in trouble and so we are lookin’ for clues as tae where she is.”

“Ye daena believe she had dinner with us just now, Young Magnus? That she has now retired tae her room?”

He shook his head, “But daena worry, Lizbeth, tis nae magic, we just want tae ken what is happening with her, what she might be keeping from us. Ye ken, she is always secretive.”

She nodded. “She did tell me once that Paris is her favorite respite, the place she believed she was truly herself and absolutely independent. She said that if she went tae Paris she dinna hae tae answer tae anyone.” Lizbeth stared off into space, nodding. “As a woman, who must often wonder about havin’ things tae myself, I can understand that if she wanted tae hide something she would pick a place where she dinna hae a lord tae watch over her.”

Magnus said, “Tis the way ye feel, Lizbeth?”

“Aye, tis nae a complaint about m’lord, Liam, but tis a statement of fact — he is m’lord. I would nae be able tae keep secrets from him if he asked.”

Magnus said, “I never heard ye speak on it this way, sister, I thought ye were pleased with yer match.”

“Och,” she waved her hands, “I am verra pleased with my match, he is a fine husband, and I am fortunate that he dinna ask for m’secrets. He listens when I tell him my thoughts. He allows me tae hae my own opinions. I am blessed and full of gratitude that he is such a fine man.”

At the end of the table, Liam and Sean were in a discussion and right then Liam growled. Lizbeth grinned and blew him a kiss. He caught it and put it in his pocket and continued speaking with Sean.

Magnus turned to me, “Do ye feel the same way, Kaitlyn?”

“What way, that you are a fine husband? You know I do.”

“Nae, I mean, constricted in what ye are allowed tae hold ontae for yerself?”

“No, I don’t really have anything that I would want to keep from you... but I don’t think of you that way. I would just tell you. Like how I told you that I didn’t have my knife earlier, I could have kept that secret, but I trust you that you will listen and... I think our rules are different.”

“But ye would keep secrets if ye had one?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you justnowrealizing that I have my own mind and my own thoughts? I tell you everything, but also my brain is always working, if I told youeverythingyou would drown in all the everything — be grateful I keep some of it private.”

Lizbeth laughed. “Young Magnus, ye daena want a wife who is blank inside, a vessel for yer own thoughts, orworse, a mirror reflecting back everything ye want her tae be.” She shook her head. “Nae ye would be verra ruined by a woman such as this—”

He chuckled, “Kaitlyn, daena listen tae anything I am about tae say, I am just playin’ out the conversation: Lizbeth, I ken I would be hopelessly bored, I wouldna want it at all, but how would it ruin me? Our brother, Sean, assures me it is the best virtue in a wife for her tae be complacent and most importantly quiet in all matters.”

She drank from her ale. “Och nae! Ye are such a man, Young Magnus, dimwitted and unaware. Canna ye see how much Kaitlyn does for ye?”

He laughed. “Oh I see it, I just wanted ye tae explain yer thinking on it.”

“Ye would be absolutely ruined if ye dinna hae a wife who pushed back on yer ideas, Young Magnus. If ye did everything that came intae yer head and dinna hae tae discuss it with yer wife and consider yer bairns, ye would be insufferable, but the good news is ye would also be dead. Ye wouldna hae made it tae this ripe auld age.”

“So my lovely wife’s arguing is what keeps me alive?”

Lizbeth said, “Amen,” and raised her glass toward mine.

Sean said, “What are ye speaking about down there?”

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