Page 20 of Long Live the King

While Fraoch sternly held Lochie near the wall, reprimanding him in a whisper, “Ye canna leave, I winna allow it.”

“Ye saw her, she is the most bonny lass I hae ever laid eyes upon, and I was made a fool.”

“Ye arna made a fool, Og Lochie, but och, ye are a coward!”

“I am nae!”

“Ye are, ye will fight in an arena but ye winna look a lass in the eye?”

“I looked foolish in front of?—”

“Ye made a mess — tis just a spill. Ye simply mop it up. I hae seen ye mop the back deck, ye are capable enough.”

Lochie’s mouth turned up on the side. “Ye hae seen me do much more than mop a deck, ye hae seen me beat yer arse in the arena.”

Fraoch put his hands on Lochie’s shoulders. “That’s a good lad, ye are insultin’ me, ye are almost yerself again. I canna abide by a weak and cowardly Og Lochie, that is not the usual way of things.”

Lochie straightened his back and stood taller.

We all resumed our seats and tried not to watch, but it was fascinating. Fraoch said, “She is going tae come back over here and what are ye going tae say tae her? Ye hae tae say something good.”

Lochie gulped. “I daena ken, I suppose I will ask her if I might speak tae her father about a marriage cont?—”

I exclaimed, “Oh no, that’s not—!” I winced at Emma.

Hayley bit her lip to suppress her laughter.

But Fraoch straightened the collar on Lochie’s shirt. “Nae, ye winna ask tae speak tae her fatherorabout marriage. Ye will ask her if ye can talk tae her after she is done workin’.”

Lochie ran both hands through his hair. “What will we talk about?”

“I daena ken — while we wait for her tae finish workin’ we will come up with some ideas.” He clapped his hands on Lochie’s shoulders. “Dost ye understand? Ye are goin’ tae behave with wisdom, I ken twill be difficult for ye, but with bravery ye can handle yerself. Can ye? Because we arna leavin’ until we see ye talk tae the maiden. I canna go home after witnessin’ this sorry business, I hae tae see ye be brave or m’opinion on ye might be irredeemable.”

“Ye would think me cowardly?”

“Aye, I would think ye a coward and all the brave things ye hae done will be overwritten by this moment, daena let it happen, Og Lochie, ye hae a reputation ye must uphold in m’eyes. Daena disappoint me.”

“Aye.” Lochie’s Adam’s apple went up and down in his throat with his gulp. “Aye, I will.”

Fraoch passed him his beer. “Good, now stand here with yer beer in yer hand and look competent or I will take all the cookies from ye for a full week.”

Lochie mock-gasped, “Ye are goin’ tae threaten a grown man with nae cookies?”

“Aye, if the grown man is gonna act like a bairn, then aye.”

“I winna. I will speak tae the maiden.”

“Good.”

They both stood shoulder to shoulder.

Magnus grinned at me.

Did you see Fraoch father him...?

Aye, he is an auld softie.

Ash returned to our table, blew at her hair on her head, dazzled us with another smile and asked, “Where was I? Your table is clean — I am so sorry! Usually I’m much better than this, but my shift is almost done, what a night...” Her eyes, for really the first time, scanned the men, and settled on Lochie. “I don’t think we met yet, I’m Ash.” She put her hand forward.

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