Page 24 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Magnus raised his chin — I chose to think he looked like Sean and Lizbeth when he did it so I didn’t have to think about how he took after his mother. “The title was bestowed upon my family by Queen Elizabeth, given tae Lady Mairead, held by Nor, and has been passed down tae myself, and aye, we hae land enough and ships tae spare. All our men are of a fighting spirit, ready tae raise arms against English tyranny at my call.”

He studied us both intently. “It is an intriguing offer, however, I am not in a position to accept such aid without consulting with my colleagues, Messrs. Washington, Hamilton, Franklin, among others. I will be speaking to them at this Continental Congress.”

Magnus nodded. “Of course, I understand. I wouldna expect ye tae make such a decision on yer own.”

My number one priority was now getting some, all,anyof this in the written record, Jefferson’s writing desk was right there!Open it up, pick up your pen!Lady Mairead carried a book around with her, she would have definitely been writing about this already.

So I spoke up, already forgetting my vow to be quiet. “Perhaps, Mister Jefferson, if you recorded the details of Magnus’s offer, you could deliver the message to Mister Washington on our behalf? We’d be most grateful. In case you forget the details, you know.”Why couldn’t I stop talking?

Jefferson narrowed his eyes. “From where do you hail, Lady Kaitlyn?”

I forgot this detail, where was I from — could I say Florida? Nope, not Florida, my head spun?—

Magnus said, “She comes from an island off the coast of the continent.”

Thomas Jefferson’s brow furrowed. “She has a distinctive accent and cadence to her speech. I have never heard it before.”

In my head I thought,You could write that down, describe my accent, say I sound weird, please, do it…

Magnus joked, “Whereas I am perfectly understandable.”

Jefferson chuckled. Then said, “But do not be concerned, Lady Kaitlyn, how could I forget such an interesting meeting? I by happenstance spend the evening in a tavern, about to set forth on a journey north, when a Scottish duke enters the room.”

I said, “Sounds like the start of a joke.”

“What do you mean?”

Magnus chuckled. “Aye, Lady Kaitlyn, what dost ye mean?”

“Um… Mister Jefferson, you haven’t heard a ‘man walks into a bar’ joke before?”

His brow raised. “No, I have not heard such a joke, but I appreciate the sport. I have been collecting jests for the upcoming congress. Franklin has a high wit and enjoys a competition, he must be outdone.”

“Oh, yes... good, perfect,” I swiped a loose strand of hair from my face, tucking it back under the bonnet. I felt a little hot.

Magnus looked very amused.

“...a ‘Man walks into a bar’ joke. It begins like this, ‘A man walks into a bar’ and…” I gulped, my mind was completely blank. A joke good enough for Jefferson to tell Franklin? Whoa.

Finally Magnus rescued me. “As Lady Kaitlyn is at a loss, I will relay one that Master Cook told me one night while we were standing upon the walls of Kilchurn looking out over the Loch, guarding, tryin’ tae keep from fallin’ asleep.”

“You guard your own walls, Lord Magnus?”

“A Scottish night often feels as if tis much older and lawless, and I am not a man who can allow other men tae guard without standin’ with them, shoulder tae shoulder. I stand on the walls most nights. Though, likely, tis as much for the calm of the night air and the camaraderie of the other men, as the need tae be watchful.”

“This is an egalitarian spirit, Lord Magnus.” His fingers drummed on his writing desk. I willed him:write it down…but he didn’t open it, refused to open it. “How were you educated?”

Magnus said, “I was sent to London and tutored along with my cousins. I have also spent time in France and…” he glanced at me, “mostly France.”

Thomas Jefferson nodded.

Magnus leaned forward and said, “Now tae the joke, a Scotsman, wearin’ a kilt, his sporran, and with his broadsword strapped across his back, walks intae a tavern in London. The barkeep says, ‘We daena serve yer kind in here.’ The Scotsman says, ‘My kind, what dost ye mean?’ The Barkeep says, ‘Yer kind, the Scots, ye are always swingin’ yer big swords around.’ The Scotsman said, ‘I canna remove it, but I will promise tae keep it tucked up under m’kilt.’”

Jefferson laughed. He said, “This is a scandalous joke to share in front of Lady Kaitlyn.”

I said, “I have been married to a Scottish laird for many long years, I have heard my share of bawdy jokes.”

Magnus said, “Here is another, Mister Jefferson, a verra smart Scotsman walks intae a tavern. First, he gives up his broadsword, for safety, and asks for ten shots of the finest whisky. The barkeep sets ten wee glasses down the bar, each with a shot within. The Scotsman takes the first shot in the row and pours it on the floor. He then takes the last shot in the row and pours it upon the floor as well. The barkeep says, ‘Ye are wastin’ the whisky, why did ye do it?’ And the verra smart Scotsman tapped his temple wisely, ‘Because the first shot always tastes like bollocks, and the last one always makes me sick!’”

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