Page 23 of The Empire and the Wolf King

As we settled back into our chairs, our plates were whisked away by the servants. More ale was brought.

He said, “I find it remarkable, Lord Magnus, that you were coming to Monticello for a meeting. You almost missed the opportunity altogether.”

Magnus said, “Aye, this has been verra fortunate. The only misfortune is that I would hae been better attired. Lady Kaitlyn and I are wearin’ our drab travel clothes.”

Thomas Jefferson nodded. “I have only just left home, the drabness of a journey has not quite taken hold.” He looked around the room. “I am fond of this inn, the fare is well done, and the hearth is warm. Although it is near my estate I prefer to stop for the first night, therefore tomorrow’s journey I will make it all the way to Rippin’s Run.”

Magnus asked, “Where is yer destination?”

“To the newly formed Continental Congress in Philadelphia.” He sipped from his ale. “Why did you want to meet?”

Magnus leaned forward. “Tis about the coming… tis safe tae speak here about sensitive matters of war?”

Thomas Jefferson nodded. “Yes, it is, though we ought to keep our voices low for the details. That table there, I am uncertain of their loyalties.”

We all looked over to see three very drunk old men sitting around a table looking bleary-eyed and wobbly-headed, and just then they broke into song.

We laughed for a moment, but then Magnus ran his hands through his hair, and became serious, leaning forward again. “I come with an offer of assistance for your revolution. Many of the Lairds of Scotland chafe under English rule, and we see in your struggle a kindred spirit.”

Jefferson leaned back in his chair. “Go on, Your Grace. What exactly are you proposing?”

Magnus said, “Two warships, with forty guns apiece.”

He said, “Crewed?”

“Aye, with crew. M’men are trained in warfare and eager tae fight.”

Jefferson’s eyes widened. “That is... a most generous offer, Your Grace?—”

Magnus said, “Laird Magnus, please.”

“Yes, Lord Magnus — why would Scotland risk such an offer? You would go against your king?”

Magnus scoffed and leaned back, a smile playing at the corner his lips, that hot sexy crinkle of bemusement beside his eyes. “Ah, Mr. Jefferson, ye speak of ‘our king’ as if we Scots hae ever accepted English rule — we haena. The Acts of Union might hae joined our crowns, but our hearts remain free. I am a Scottish laird, with m’feet upon the lands of the Americas. I hae taken a fondness for these lands and the people who live here.” He squeezed my hand, “...and I always hae an irritation and disregard for the English,especiallytheir kings.”

Jefferson chuckled. “There we have a similar urge.”

Magnus raised his glass of ale. “We see in yer struggle, echoes of our own. The chance tae strike a blow against English tyranny, even from afar, is one we canna pass up.”

Jefferson nodded slowly, his eyes calculating. “I see, and what would the Duke of Awe expect in return for such... generous assistance?”

Magnus spun his drink, watching the liquid spin within it smoothly. “Nothing but an alliance, we might come tae an agreement on future trade considerations.” Jefferson nodded, tapping his fingers on his writing desk.

Magnus downed the last of his drink, slammed the mug back to the table, then whispered, “And perhaps, should we one day seek the overthrow of a king in want of our own independence, ye might remember who stood by ye in yer hour of need.”

Jefferson said, “You speak as if you know the outcome of our war will be victorious, we are not so assured. Our enemy is large and powerful — we cannot promise the Duke of Awe an alliance in a coming day when it is possible our present days are numbered.”

Magnus shrugged. “This is the way of mankind, Mister Jefferson, all our days are numbered. The present is precarious, the future is far off and is never promised tae any of us, though we might want it desperately.” He grinned. “Tis why ye need a friend in Magnus, the Duke of Awe.”

While Magnus was charming Jefferson, I was silently pleading:pick up the quill, write it down, come on, write it down in your book, ‘Magnus,’ need help spelling it?

But Jefferson seemed more interested in conversation and would not open the writing desk for his quill. Instead he finished his drink and to keep him at the table Magnus quickly waved a hand to have the host bring us another round.

Jefferson leaned back comfortably. “This is a bold proposition, Lord Magnus. One that might change the course of this conflict.”

Magnus said, “I am a bold man from a long line of bold men.”

“I have not heard of the Dukedom of Awe. You must have a great deal of land and a large purse to be able to offer war ships.”

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