Page 36 of Long Live the King

Magnus caught Don’s eye and held up three fingers and gestured toward my ale.

Fraoch kept his feet wide, forcin’ a space so the other patrons had tae press taegether at the end of the bar. He looked all around the room and said, “I see the man ye were brawlin’ with, he looks as if he has been bested.”

At the far end of the bar, Buck was scowling. He finished his drink and pressed away through the crowd. My eyes followed him as he stopped beside Ash and they spoke for a moment. I couldna tell what they said, but from his face it looked as if she were tellin’ him tae leave. He left.

I said, “If ye guessed the ‘sweaty carbunkle squeezed intae the poorly stitched leather’ ye would be right.”

We all chuckled.

Fraoch said, “From the looks of it ye bested the manandwon the lass.”

Don slid our three ales in front of us, then went back to making the complicated expensive drinks everyone else had ordered.

We all picked up our ales. I said, “Tae James Cook’s bairn!”

Magnus said, “Slàinte!” We all drank.

I said, “I finally had a chance tae recite the poem of ‘Lochinvar,’ ye ken — it has been a good night.”

Fraoch chuckled, “Ye hae been searchin’ for the good moment since ye first heard it.”

“Aye, twas perfect, he wanted tae brawl with me?—”

Magnus shook his head. “Och nae, he has never seen ye fight.”

“He shoved me in the chest.”

“We are fortunate he lived.”

“Aye, twould hae been easy tae beat him, I wanted tae, but I dinna want tae frighten her.” My eyes traveled across the room and settled on Ash.

Fraoch said, “Och, he is smitten with the maiden. That is usually a way for a young man tae lose his head, but she has caused ye tae take heed and keep yer composure. This is a good thing. I think I speak for all of yer family when I say we are proud of yer newfound thoughtfulness, we ought tae raise our glasses tae Og Lochie not bein’ a complete arse in front of the bonny lass.”

We all raised our glasses and said, “Slainte!”

Magnus teased, “Perhaps ye ought tae grow yer beard out, Lochinvar, down tae yer mid-chest, so they winna think ye such a weak and incapable lad.”

I joked, “I tried, if ye remember, Madame Hayley winna let me.”

Fraoch said, “Tis because yer beard is as patchy as the shadow-side of a moor, she was tryin’ tae make ye bonny for the lasses.”

Ash glanced over at us, I nodded, she smiled and waved.

Magnus said, “It seems tae hae worked.”

We finished our ales.

Magnus said, “I ought not hae another as I am the driver. Dost ye need us tae wait for ye?”

“Nae, I will remain. I hae a maiden tae speak tae.”

Fraoch clapped me on the shoulder. “Good lad, Og Lochie. Call us when ye need a ride.”

I said, “Or I might walk. Tis a fine night.”

We looked at the windows of the Palace where there was rain pouring down outside.

Fraoch said, “Spoken like a true Scot.”

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