Page 88 of The Empire and the Wolf King

I raised my chin. “Perhaps, but that would be giving my son the benefit of the doubt. Wilfrey, in our relationship ye must take my side, not many do, though I am always correct.”

He chuckled. “Then I amend my answer to, how can Magnus do something so foolhardy?”

I said, “And now I changed my mind, I amusuallycorrect. I was wrong here, ye canna speak poorly of our king. Ye hae tae take my side without going against King Magnus.”

He chuckled again. “I am surprised at how much you must deal with, Mairead, it must be very trying for you.”

I smiled. “That is perfect.”

CHAPTER 41 - LADY MAIREAD

THE KINGDOM OF RIAGHALBANE - 2391

Idrained my glass and asked for the video tae change tae a party scene from a museum opening in New York in 1926. I liked the shifting interplay of the light with the sight of the men in their fine tuxedos and the women in their evening gowns, murmuring together with a backdrop of paintings and sculptures. There was a four piece band playing in the corner. The scene felt immersive, as if I were back there. It calmed my nerves.

Och, how I missed New York.

Wilfrey looked dumbfounded, leaning closer and concentrating on the details. “You have been here, Mairead?”

“Aye, this is a recording of Abby Rockefeller’s party, I was there, see…?” I pointed at myself as I walked through the crowd. I felt a small pang of shame at having been so much younger, I hoped he wouldna notice?—

He said, “You look beautiful, Mairead.”

“Thank ye, I love this video.”

He walked closer, holding his champagne flute, mesmerized. “You could take me there?”

“I hae already promised ye, aye, we canna go tae that one, but I will take ye tae another…”

He turned around. “Mairead, this is astonishing, you will — you are not in jest?”

“Aye, as soon as this current drama has finished…” I looked at him intently. Then asked, “Ye would accompany me there, ye would wear a dinner jacket and black tie if asked?”

“Yes, in a minute.”

“What about your career, daena ye hae a movie coming up?”

“No… not on the horizon.”

“Ye spoke of one last night, I thought?”

“I was not entirely truthful, I did not get that part, but there will be another.” He drank and dinna meet my eyes.

“Ye used tae hae movies lined up, when we went tae the opening together ye had three movies planned.”

He looked down at the glass. “Things change quickly, Mairead, but I am wondering if I evenwantto do those big budget films anymore, perhaps I am wasting my talent. I was considering directing my own film.”

I watched him for a moment. “What happened tae yer career, Wilfrey?”

He frowned. “I do not wish to tell you, you might think poorly on your new lover, Wilfrey. You might think that I do not deserve you. You might not want to be seen with me.”

I leveled my eyes. “Wilfrey, I am Queen Mother, I run a kingdom. Ye are anactor, ye already daena deserve me.”

He chuckled. “Ouch, that stung, Mairead.”

“Ye look verra handsome on my arm, tis what is important, and ye bed me well. One thing ye must remember is that I daena care one whit what anyone outside of my family circle thinks about me, and Ibarelycare what my family thinks?—”

I said, with a softer tone, “But I hae also had my own share of scandals, I ken it can be difficult. Tell me what happened.”

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