“Nay. But—”
Magnus pushed away from the wall. “Saoirse, move back, please.” He walked to Thormud and pointed outside. He kept his voice low. “What the hell did those two arses say to ye?”
“That ye were coming down here to tryst with ma cousin.”
Thormud wasn’t wrong. But Magnus had only hoped to do that on the way down here. He hadn’t planned to make it happen.
“Who’d they crow that to?”
“Uncle Alex and Da.”
“Did anyone else hear them?”
“Mayhap.”
Magnus’s hands fisted. He’d warned Nicholas and Conan. It mattered not that they’d assumed rightly. He would make good on his pledge if there was even a hint of gossip that besmirched Saoirse’s reputation.
“Saoirse, gather yer things. We’re headed back with Thormud.” Magnus didn’t take his eyes off Thormud until he turned to offer Saoirse his hand as they walked over the slippery rocks. Once Magnus and Saoirse had their stockings and boots back on, they made their way up the cliffside path. Saoirse kept the conversation going among them, so Thormud wouldn’t think they were guilty and hiding anything. Both men played their part, but the tension was nearly palpable. When they stepped through the postern gate, Magnus’s patience snapped.
CHAPTER7
Plenty of eyes turned toward the trio as they passed through the gate. Saoirse wondered what happened. She glanced up at Thormud, who looked angry. But when she looked up at Magnus, she almost shrank away. She followed his gaze until she spied Nicholas and Conan.
“Magnus, dinna.”
“Go aboot yer business, Saoirse. I will go aboot mine.”
“Dinna do this, Magnus. Please.”
“I willna—canna—let it stand, Saoirse. It’ll make us look guilty, like we’re accepting fault.” As far as Magnus was concerned, he was courting Saoirse. They’d done nothing wrong discussing what they wished for in a marriage. He’d done nothing dishonorable kissing her, even if they’d toed a fine line.
“Magnus—”
“Saoirse, I’ll find ye after I settle this. Please trust me aboot this.”
“Listen to him, Saoirse. He’s right. Whatever was said after I left to find ye was far worse than what they told Da and Uncle Alex. We were in Grandda’s solar, but the door was open. Mayhap someone overheard, but there shouldnae be this many people staring. Go inside.”
Saoirse knew it was pointless to argue. She trusted Magnus to know what to do among the men. She prayed her mother and aunts could repair the damage done among the women. She felt no regret for what transpired in the cave, and she resented anyone ruining her memories. She hurried into the keep through the kitchens. But she looked back as Magnus stalked toward Nicholas and Conan. She disappeared inside, not wanting to watch. She almost felt bad for the young men.
Magnus’s instinct to protect Saoirse was to draw his sword and lop off both heads. But he would give Nicholas and Conan the chance to defend themselves. Then he would decapitate them.
“What the bluidy hell did ye say?” Magnus demanded as he came to stand in front of the pair of smirking faces.
“We told ye we would tell Alex.”
“And I told ye I would kill ye if there was even a whisper of gossip. Go to the lists.”
“Ye dinna command us.”
“But I do.” Thormud stepped beside Magnus. “Do as he says.”
Magnus watched a moment of trepidation flash across their faces. The moment they were all within the lists, he drew his sword. He poked both in the back. They spun around as they drew their own swords. Magnus went on the offensive, forcing the other two to walk backwards until they were far enough into the training ground that people away from the area couldn’t see what was happening.
“I told ye I would challenge ye. I told ye I would kill ye. Mayhap I should let ye say yer goodbyes to yer mamas.” Magnus’s sword crashed against Conan’s, leaving a dent. Surprise gave Magnus an opening as Conan glanced down at his sword. Magnus plowed his fist into his opponent's nose. Blood squirted in every direction.
Nicholas swore and launched his own attack. Magnus knocked the sword from the younger man’s hands with one block. His leg kicked out and swept Nicholas’s feet out from under him. Magnus kicked him in the gut. He stepped back from both opponents. He wanted to silence them permanently, but he knew he didn’t have the right. He couldn’t justify it without knowing what they said or how bad the damage was.
“Óg!”
