“St. Columba’s bones!”
“Dinna go repeating that. I’m trusting ye, Albert.”
“I willna say aught. I dinna want Lady Saoirse in danger, so I willna say aught that endangers ye.”
“Thank ye. If ye think of anyone, will ye tell me?”
“Of course. Just be careful, Óg. It’s clear the lass loves ye. It’ll devastate her if aught happens to ye.”
“I love her, and I plan to have a long life by her side.”
Albert nodded, and they walked out of the stables together. Neither noticed who watched, curious why neither entered with a horse nor came out with one.
CHAPTER13
Saoirse entered the market with two guards a handful of steps behind her. It surprised her to find men other than Albert assigned to her, but Callum said Albert was busy. She’d already told David and Samuel that she wished to visit some fabric vendors since she had time to make a wedding gown. She wound through the stalls until she spied the merchant she wanted. She had to walk past the village tavern on her way.
“I wish he were still warming ma bed. There’s naught little aboot Óg.”
Saoirse’s heart pinched as she looked at the blonde woman standing outside the tavern. She followed the woman’s gaze and noticed Magnus walking toward her.
“It’s a shame he isnae still coming by.” A brunette replied to the blonde. “He was so much fun when he was younger. I dinna ken what he wants with a lass when he kens what he can have with a woman.”
“Do ye remember the night we both had him?”
Saoirse froze. She thought she might be ill. She looked around, mortified to realize David and Samuel heard. They hurried forward, but she shook her head. She didn’t want either woman to know she heard. But when she looked back, she knew they’d seen her.
“How could I forget? He was insatiable. I bet he’s only gotten better with age.”
“He kenned plenty the last time he was in ma bed.”
Saoirse didn’t know what to do. She wanted to bolt, but she refused to do anything so undignified. She reminded herself that with such a large age difference came the acceptance that Magnus had a life before she was even born, and she was barely toddling when he probably bedded his first woman. But it didn’t make it any easier to hear.
“I doubt it’d take much to get him back here.” The blonde wrapped her arm around the brunette’s before they strolled past Saoirse. She watched in horror as they approached Magnus. He made to step around them, barely taking note. He raised his hand to wave to Saoirse, but the women stopped in front of him.
“Hello, Óg,” the brunette purred.
“Excuse me.” Magnus nodded and shifted in the opposite direction, but the women wouldn’t budge. Saoirse noticed the annoyance on his face which mollified her.
“Dinna ye remember us?”
Magnus’s brow furrowed before he shook his head. “Nay. Excuse me, ma betrothed is waiting for me.”
“Betrothed.” The blonde veritably cackled. “She’s naught more than a little girl. A mon of yer appetites needs more to sink his teeth into. Besides, the laird already considers ye family. Marrying the lass willna endear ye. But I ken I can do plenty that ye thought endearing before.”
“Endearing? I dinna think ye ken what that means. If I tupped ye, then it was years ago, and I dinna remember. I’m sorry, but I simply dinna recall. But I willna keep Lady Saoirse waiting.” Magnus’s scowl made the women step aside.
“Ye should be nicer to us, Óg. We ken things. Things that could hurt yer bonnie wee bride.” The brunette stared at Saoirse as she taunted Magnus, so she was unprepared for him to step so close she swayed backwards.
“I’m a mon of five-and-thirty. Ma betrothed kens I’m nay innocent. I dinna have secrets from her either. But if ye say aught aboot whatever past we might have had just so ye can hurt her, I will make yer life so bluidy miserable ye’ll run away without me having to chase ye off. Stay away from Lady Saoirse.”
Magnus moved so quickly his plaid swished across the back of his thighs. He glanced at Samuel and David, who stood beside Saoirse as the trio starred at the two tavern wenches and Magnus. He opened his arms to Saoirse when he stood before her. He canted his head back to the keep, and the two guards beat a hasty retreat. Magnus guided Saoirse away from the crowds.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Do ye really nae remember them?”
“Nay, I dinna. I havenae been with a woman at that tavern in nigh on six years, Saoirse. I told ye, I’ve been a monk for the past three. Even if I hadnae been on patrol, I wouldnae have bedded anyone because I was betrothed.”
