“Vera. Ye?”
“Beyond imagination. When do ye wish to handfast?”
“Tomorrow?” Saoirse grinned.
“I suppose I can wait one more night before I’m yers.”
“Ye’re mine? Ye’re nae claiming me?”
“Ye are yer own person, Saoirse, and ye always will be. But I gladly give maself to ye, in thought, word, and deed. I have nay reservations.”
“Neither do I.”
The music increased pace, and they moved with the other couples until they were breathless and laughing. It was the best evening since Magnus arrived. He accepted too many mugs of ale and whisky from the men, but he appreciated the comradery after the rocky start to his visit. When the festivities wound down, Magnus stole a kiss before Saoirse went abovestairs with Nessa and Mirren. Magnus made his way to his chamber, suddenly exhausted. He’d felt fully recovered until now. He supposed four days with no food or drink had to catch up to him, eventually. He barred his door and stripped before climbing into bed. It was only moments later that slumber claimed him.
* * *
A storm the night Magnus and Saoirse celebrated their betrothal caused flooding in villages half a day’s ride. It forced Alex, Tavish, Mòr, and their sons, along with a dozen guardsmen, to ride out. Saoirse and Magnus agreed their handfasting could wait until her family returned. But the days drew out. They soon worried the priest would read the banns a third time, allowing them to marry in the church, before they could handfast. It made the less formal arrangement seem moot.
“Magnus?” Saoirse approached him while he stood in the bailey.
“Aye? Good morning,mo chridhe.” My heart. Magnus stooped to kiss Saoirse’s cheek. “Did ye sleep well?”
“Aye. What are ye doing?”
“I came out here to do something, but I canna remember what. Memories of a wee wood nymph keep distracting me.”
Saoirse nodded. She’d noticed over the past sennight that Magnus often lost his train of thought or forgot what he was about to do. It was unusual and disconcerting.
“Were ye going to the lists?” It was still early morning, and that was where most of the men were.
“Nay…Mayhap…Nay. There was something else I wished to do. It’ll come to me.”
“I’m going to the market. Do ye wish to come with me?”
Like a lightning bolt, Magnus remembered what he’d been about to do. It was frustrating him that his thoughts kept wandering. He’d never been flighty or forgetful, but over the past week, he found it hard to concentrate, and his mind often felt fuzzy.
“I canna join ye,mo chridhe. I need to get ma horse reshod.”
Saoirse nodded. It seemed like a flimsy excuse, but she said nothing. She strained to kiss him as his arms engulfed her. He lifted her off her feet and offered her a kiss. They weren’t as brazen as the married couples in her family, but they no longer pretended not to be in love.
Magnus watched Saoirse leave through the postern gate. He shook his head as he headed to the stables. He made his way to his horse’s stall, but rather than bringing the animal outside, he waited.
“Óg?”
“Aye, Albert. I’m here.” Magnus waved to the guard as the man drew closer. They’d been close friends growing up. Albert was one of the first lads to accept Seamus and Magnus into the circle of boys beginning their training. They’d grown apart over the years after Magnus returned home, but he still trusted him implicitly. And it reassured him that Albert had been Saoirse’s guard.
“Why are ye hiding in here?” Albert looked around. They were no longer adolescents sneaking whisky and hiding behind haystacks.
“I’m nae hiding. But I wanted to be discreet while I talked to ye.” Magnus talked to Alex briefly about any young men who’d been overly interested in Saoirse, but his soon-to-be father-by-marriage hadn’t much luck when he asked around. Magnus suspected no one wanted to say anything to the laird’s son. “Other than Conan and Nicholas, has anyone shown an interest in Saoirse? Anyone who might be angry that she’s chosen me?”
“She chose ye?” Albert chuckled. “I dinna ken that it’s that way around, but nay, there isnae anyone specific I can think of. There are a few who are disappointed. I think a handful of lads hoped they’d catch her eye soon. I think they figured within the next year or so, Alex and Brighde would start encouraging her to marry. They wanted to be in line when she chose.”
“Do any of them resent me enough to kill me?”
Albert’s eyebrows shot up under his bangs. He shook his head. “Nay. Do ye think someone is?”
“Aye. When I was ill, Saoirse discovered someone tampered with the mint brought to ma chamber. Now I chew only what she brings me, and I am nae ill anymore.”
