Page 112 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Magnus said, “Mairead!”

Lady Mairead said, “What did ye expect my betrothed tae call me, Magnus?” She raised her chin. “I was quite lonely in Riaghalbane, there has been alotfor me tae deal with and I was feeling the weight of it, so I invited Wilfrey tae visit one night.”

I glanced at Hayley, she was trying to keep from laughing.

Lady Mairead continued, “And now he has asked me tae marry. I hae accepted his offer.”

Magnus raised his brow. “And what is his ‘offer,’ exactly?”

Wilfrey said, “I am devoted to Mairead.”

She patted his hand and looked at him lovingly. “He has promised tae keep me company, and he is verra handsome. Inna he handsome, Kaitlyn?”

I nodded, biting my lip.

I glanced at Magnus. He looked bemused.

She asked, “Inna he handsome Madame Hayley? Madame Emma, ye see it, ye see he is verra fine. He will look verra good on my arm when I attend Abby’s next party.”

Fraoch smiled widely, “Ye dinna ask me, but I say he is verra fine, as good lookin’ a man as ever I saw.”

Lady Mairead said, “Thank ye, Fraoch, that is his offer, and in exchange I am tae give him a title and he will hae all he ever can dream of. Tis fair I suspect.”

Magnus said, “Tis more than fair! And here he is arriving on our beach by vessel, ye hae told him about um…”

Quentin said, “Our um, side hustle?”

Magnus said, “Aye, our side hustle? Or did ye bang him over the head with something and drag him here unawares?” He looked at Wilfrey, “I am not imagining this, she has done it tae me before.”

“He kens all of it, ye may speak freely, Magnus.”

Magnus tossed his napkin down. “Och, thank heavens I can speak freely in m’own home!”

I patted the back of his hand.

He took a deep breath and exhaled.

I said, “It sounds like you have thought this through and you have a very clear view of what this business arrangement —”

Wilfrey said, “Your Majesty, while we have made business arrangements around our betrothal, I have asked Mairead to marry out of a sincere devotion to her. I find myself irrevocably in love with her, and I mean to prove it.”

I said, “Well, that is lovely, I am really happy for you, Lady Mairead.”

“Thank ye, Kaitlyn, I dinna think I would ever marry again but current events hae given me a glimpse of the finality of life.”

Magnus leaned forward, “What current events? Ye mentioned earlier that there was a lot to deal with, what has happened?”

She said, “First I will need some dessert and a brandy tae get through this conversation.”

Zach jumped up from his seat, “Coming right up, but you haven’t mentioned the music.”

“Tis because I hae been interrogated and dinna hae the chance tae listen.” She cocked her head. “Tis verra fine, who is this musician?”

“I thought you might like this one, these are the dulcet tones of Neil Diamond.”

“Perfect.”

He rushed from the room followed by Emma and we sat in silence until a few moments later when Emma carried in the drinks and passed them around.

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