“I think he kens Nicholas offered me a few gifts, but I dinna think he fashed over aught.”
“He did.” Callum shook his head and frowned. “He warned Nicholas away from ye. He kenned the mon made ye uncomfortable, and he was livid that Nicholas altered the guard schedule for ye.”
“Anyone else?” Liam was certain there were, but he doubted she’d noticed. She was as oblivious to her beauty as Brighde had been. She shook her head.
“Have ye shared yer suspicions with anyone else?” Callum looked toward the door again.
“Nay one but Wiley, and that was only because I needed his rabbit. I was vague. Da and Mama ken there’s something wrong with the mint, but I came straight here, so they dinna ken aboot the animal.”
“We’d do well to remain quiet and watch,” Liam advised. “If whoever is responsible realizes we’ve learned aboot the mint, they’re likely to try a different approach.”
“I told Auntie Siùsan that nay one is to handle Óg’s trays, except for her and me. Óg kens I dinna want him to accept any mint that I didna cut maself.” She looked between her grandfather and uncle. “Does Óg need a guard?”
“Nay. But I want a member of our family with him at all times. He’s only to be alone when he’s in his chamber.” Liam directed his instructions to Callum, who would see them through. “Ye’ve done vera well, Saoirse. I’m proud of ye, lass.”
“Thank ye, Grandda.” She beamed, and heat suffused her. She’d seen her grandfather in the lists countless times, and she’d heard him angry. But to her, he was still the man who let her ride on his back and told stories that made her giggle so hard she nearly wet herself. She remembered how he used to carry her and Rose in each arm. He’d play chase with his grandchildren and took them out riding and fishing when their parents needed a reprieve. She adored him. “There’s something else. I spoke to Da and Mama before I found Wiley. They’ve given their consent.”
Liam walked around the desk and enveloped her in his arms. If she married Magnus, she would miss all of her family, but she would miss her grandfather as much as she would her parents and sisters.
“I kenned he would. It was a matter of patience. It tore at me when we took Mairghread to Varrich. I thought I was leaving a piece of ma soul behind. Besides losing yer grandmama, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I kenned it was right once I saw how much Mairghread and Tristan love each other. Yer parents just needed time like I did. I refused to leave Varrich for sennights because I wasna ready.”
Saoirse nodded against his chest. When she released him, she turned and found Callum standing with his arms open. She accepted her uncle's hug.
“If he hadnae come around soon, I would have beaten it into him,” Callum assured. She almost wished to see that. In their fourth decade, her father and uncles terrified most of the young men in the lists. When they scrimmaged and grappled together, it always drew a crowd. Invariably, it would come out a draw or very close. Saoirse doubted Callum could beat anything into or out of her father. At least, not without receiving the same beating in return.
“I shall go up to see Óg now and discuss what ye shared.” Liam dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“Grandda, either dinna tell him aboot Conan and Nicholas, or let me come with ye. He was ready to kill them the last time he was near them. He willna be pleased to ken they made me uncomfortable even before the day at the cave.”
Liam nodded. He knew the young couple needed opportunities to work through problems and learn to communicate. It would do them well to practice before they married in case they discovered they couldn’t come to accords. He led Saoirse from his solar while Callum went to find his brothers. Callum would ask them, his son, and his nephews if they knew anyone who fancied Saoirse. He’d also organize them, so Magnus wasn’t alone outside his chamber.
“Magnus.” Saoirse hurried toward the stairs as she watched Magnus descend. “What’re ye doing?”
“Siùsan arranged for a bath, and I feel worlds better. But what I need most is sunshine and fresh air.” Magnus looked over Saoirse’s head to find Liam watching him. He’d scrubbed his soapy finger over his teeth and tongue to rid himself of any lingering mint taste.
“We can talk outside.” Liam turned toward the massive iron studded wood doors, knowing Saoirse wished to argue. He wouldn’t give her the chance. He knew Magnus was likely crawling out of his skin to be away from his sickbed. The warrior wasn’t accustomed to spending so much time abed. He agreed with Magnus’s observation that he needed sunshine and fresh air. He led the couple to the garden, passing the vegetables and herbs. He didn’t stop until he reached the Lady’s Garden. He’d spent countless hours with Kyla in the secluded spot. It had been one of her favorite places from the moment she arrived at Dunbeath.
“Have ye learned something? Did something else happen?” Magnus waited until they were far from anyone else.
“I gave one of Wiley’s rabbits two leaves of that mint. Within minutes, the animal was ill. It survived, but it proved someone tainted the mint.”
“Have I caused such an uproar with ma arrival that someone wants me dead?” Magnus’s grin slipped as he watched Saoirse and Liam exchange a brief glance. “Saoirse?”
“Before ye arrived—quite some time before—both Nicholas and Conan showed interest in me. I refused them both and thought naught of it. Ye ken why I dinna like them. I dinna think it’s them, but it might be. Da probably kens if anyone else was interested, but I was oblivious to it. I didna notice anyone before ye.” Saoirse’s fair skin once again betrayed her. Her cheeks were nearly scalding when Magnus slipped his hand into hers in front of Liam. Her grandda only nodded.
“Is there anyone else who might wish me ill? Anyone who harbors animosity to the Mackenzies?”
“Nay one I ken.” Liam appeared thoughtful. “The clan’s kenned ye since ye were a lad, and everyone kens how close ye are to Siùsan. Hurting ye would hurt her. She’s too well-loved and well-respected for that.”
“Apparently, nae.” Saoirse frowned. Someone held an aversion to Magnus, and his relation to Siùsan wasn’t protecting him. She thought aloud. “Poison is a woman’s weapon. Wouldnae a mon use a blade? Is there a woman here ye slighted once?”
Magnus looked down at Saoirse and shook his head. He’d bedded his first woman while he lived among the Sinclairs. He’d gone to the village tavern with Seamus and a few other lads when he turned six-and-ten. He went back occasionally before returning home, and he’d spent time with women there during his visits. But he hadn’t the last three times he visited, and that was more than three years ago. He couldn’t imagine any woman carrying a flame for him.
“I dinna believe so.”
“Any of the women ye’ve bedded here?”
Magnus’s eyes widened, and he held his breath. He couldn’t believe Saoirse asked so bluntly in front of Liam. He felt like a lad again brought before Liam for sneaking fruit tarts before the evening meal. He shook his head.
