Page 128 of The Empire and the Wolf King

BALLOCH CASTLE - 1710

When we entered the courtyard Lizbeth rushed out to meet us. “Young Magnus, ye hae brought yer whole family with ye!”

The huggings commenced. “And my mother! Lady Mairead!”

She was introduced to Wilfrey and her eyes went wide.

She came to me and Hayley and hooked her arms through ours, and whispered, “We hae a lot tae discuss about Young Wilfrey — he looks tae be younger than even my Liam!”

Sean said, “Did ye hear why they hae come, Lizbeth?”

“Nae, tae visit?”

The cousins rushed down and Archie and Ben ran off to play with them. Isla asked, “Mammy, does Zoe have to come too?”

“Yes, don’t leave anyone behind.”

She said, “Fine, come on Zoe,” and they rushed after the rest.

Lizbeth looked at Jack in my arms and said, “Master Jack, daena worry, ye will be running after them in nae time.”

He giggled and held his hands out. She leaned forward and he patted her on her cheek and kissed her chin with a full mouth wet kiss.

She said, “Och, I had forgotten how wonderful they are, ought I hae another?”

Lady Mairead said, “Och nae, my daughters will be persuaded tae hae yet more bairns tae their detriment. Tae hae a bairn, Lizbeth, ye remember, ye will need tae birth it as well.”

Lizbeth said, “Tis true, I stand corrected, the number I hae is just as I would like, but still, I do love my nieces and nephews.”

Jack leaned toward her arms, so I passed him over.

I laughed, “He’s going to try to charm you.”

She said, “Jack is verra charming, as is Noah.” She reached out and took Noah too, so that she had each baby on a hip. Then she redirected her look at Sean. “Why did they come then, Brother?”

He teased, “I thought ye would never come back tae my point.”

“Ye ought tae be more forthcoming.”

We all began walking toward the Great Hall. Sean said, “They hae come, Lizbeth, all of them, because they thought I had passed tae my great reward.”

She stopped dead in her tracks.

“What did ye say?”

“They thought I died, they came tae… are ye well, Lizbeth?”

She had gone completely pale. Beaty and I each grabbed a bairn from her arms. She said, “Och nae, tis my vision!” And though Hayley hooked her arm through Lizbeth’s for support, her knees buckled and she fainted to the ground.

Liam rushed forward and crouched beside her. “Och nae, Lizzie are ye well?” He pushed her hair back from her face, “Hae ye been harmed?”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Och nae, Liam, I told ye, dinna I tell ye?”

“Aye, ye told me.” He put his arms under her, hoisted her up, and carried her up the steps along the gallery into the Great Hall.

Emma and I rushed ahead to get a chair ready for her. She was helped into a chair, a drink was brought, and we all took our seats around her. Liam’s chair was facing hers and he held her hand.

She said, “I am sorry I frightened ye.” She reached out and smoothed his cheek.

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