Page 125 of Long Live the King

“I hae been foiled by the queen’s undergarmies.”

“It’s just as well, we are expected downstairs.”

He put out his arm to escort me down.

We were all collected down in the Great Hall, having a drink, milling about, dressed in our finery, waiting for the Earl and his son, John, to arrive. Sean had whispered to Magnus, “It has been many visits since ye and John hae been here at the same time. He is afraid of ye?—”

I chuckled. “Afraid ofme? I am the nicest person in the world.”

Sean laughed.

Fraoch said, “Og Maggy looks at him the wrong way and he scurries off.”

Sean said, “If ye bow out yer chest and tower over him, perhaps he will depart for Edinburgh and leave us in peace.”

Fraoch laughed. “Och, good plan, I would like tae see it.”

Sean said, “Aye, me as well, his current visit has lasted for a month or more; tis time for him tae share his temper with the good people of Edinburgh, we hae had enough of his charms.”

Lizbeth sipped from her wine. “While this is a good and entertaining thought, please be on yer best behavior, Young Magnus, and daena upset John or we will all hae tae endure his temper. We are going tae put ye at one end of the table, John at the other, well away. Tis not out of disrespect for ye, but tae keep ye out of harm’s way.”

She patted his arm, “Daena let it bother ye, I hae been told that he and the Earl hae been called verra early tae Edinburgh, so we will soon hae Balloch tae ourselves. The rest of yer visit will be less fraught.”

Magnus said, “I could just buy the place, throw the Earl and John from it.”

Lizbeth raised her brow. “I doubt the Queen would agree tae a peer, even aScottishpeer, being so rudely treated.”

Magnus asked, “Lady Mairead, what dost ye think?”

She raised her chin. “I winna answer. Tae air it would be tae sound conniving.”

“Ye want tae worry on yer reputation now?”

She said, “Leave me from yer conspiring, Magnus.Although, I am rather put out that I am standing here waiting while John inconsiderately takes his time.” The corner of her mouth went up. “I hae always thought that Sean would look verra fine at the head of the table.”

Magnus jokingly shrugged. “I could buy the whole country, throw the Queen from the throne.”

Lizbeth’s eyes went wide. She batted his arm. “Tis treasonous!”

Magnus winked, “Tis only treasonous if I meant it. Nae, I would never.” He spoke loudly, “I daena want any extra thrones, nae more kingdoms tae rule, I want tae go on the record, twas a joke. I daena want tae overthrow anymorecrowns.”

James and Quentin and Fraoch laughed.

Magnus clapped Sean on the back. “But what if we found ye a title, what if I bought one for ye? We are Campbells, there must be three castles within a day’s ride that are empty and need a laird tae rule over the lands.”

Sean said, “Ye could do it?”

“Aye, let me see what I can do.”

Lady Mairead said, “We daena want tae alter history, we hae long considered that all ought tae remain in their place.”

Magnus’s brow went up. “But it is becomin’ near impossible tae bear the Earl and his son, and m’family’s place under them, and twill only get worse. Tae continue on like this means my place is tae be disrespected by my uncle — is it my place tae be seated below the salt in the Great Hall?”

Lady Mairead scowled. “That is unconscionable.”

I admired them all. Lady Mairead was stunning, in the finest dress of deep red, ornately decorated, her hair up, a very expensive diamond necklace ornamenting her neck, with pale makeup and dramatic rouge.

Lizbeth was beautiful, her dress was a shimmery silver. Hayley, Beaty, Emma, and Sophie were wearing dresses that were more simple, but their hair was up, decorated with fancy pins, and they were wearing makeup. Emma and Sophie both had fine lace wraps around their shoulders, with elegant brooches securing them.

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