Calum lifted his brows, then turned to Leila with a glint in his eye.“And so your new spouse would leave you as quick as this.”
She smiled, knowing that he tried another tactic to make his point, but had no chance to reply.
“It is not far to Stewart’s abode, Father, as you well know,” Fergus said firmly.“I would see the news delivered without delay.”
“And your gift,” Leila added quietly, then sipped of her wine as Calum studied her, his gaze assessing.
“Gift?”he echoed.
“Your son is most generous,” Leila said smoothly.“Perhaps it was his father who taught him such grace.”
The older man’s eyes gleamed but he cleared his throat and changed the subject.“And there are more tidings, to be sure.You will likely not have heard that last year, Gudrodr, King of the Isles, died on the isle of Saint Patrick.”
Leila felt Fergus’ attention sharpen.“Surely one of his sons has succeeded him?”
“The islesmen chose Rognvaldr, likely because he is grown to manhood while the other sons are mere boys.But he is the son of an Irish concubine.Times change, Fergus.Both kings would prefer the crown to fall to a son born of legal marriage.”
Leila stiffened at this observation, for it was contrary to what Fergus had told her.She had first to conceive a child, she reminded herself, then deliver a son, then she could worry about Calum’s acceptance of him.Indeed, her marriage had not even been consummated as yet!
“Olafr svarti,” Fergus supplied, evidently naming one of the king’s sons.“Gudrodr erred in wedding so late, so Olafr cannot be more than a boy.”
“But he has allies who are men.Rognvaldr makes his court on Mann, while he has given Olafr the isles of Lewis and Harris as his portion.”Calum nodded even as Leila wondered about these places.
She also wondered about Calum’s concern.
“It is a hard land,” Duncan contributed.“Either rock or bog from what I hear.”
“Aye,” Calum agreed.“I fear there will be rebellion.Gudrodr will be interred on Iona on Whitsunday, some six weeks from now.I just had the missive on Easter.Someone from our hall should attend, but I fear I do not have the stamina for the journey.”
“I will go, Father,” Fergus said quickly.“And Leila can come with me.”He squeezed her hand as if he wished to be with her, but his words dismissed that pleasant notion.“It will give her an opportunity to meet more of our neighbors.”
And find a man.Leila’s heart sank at his implication, but she smiled.“Indeed, I will be glad to see more of Scotland.”
“And Iona is a most holy place,” Calum told her.“Should you be inclined to convert, it would be a good place to be baptized.”
“I must learn more first,” Leila said, doubting this would be the last prompt that she change her faith.
“Of course, of course.Such matters take time and consideration.I have an old friend with whom you might enjoy a discussion.”
“Indeed?”
“Indeed.We journeyed together to the east, but that is a tale for another time.”Calum smiled.“On this night, there are nuptials to be celebrated.”
“Perhaps, Enguerrand and Yvan, you might be able to linger until my return from that journey,” Fergus suggested, and the Templar knights nodded agreement.Leila knew their quick assent was because of the treasure secured in the solar.
“I fear I cannot accompany you,” Duncan said.“My own path lies to the north and I would depart on the morrow.”
Leila smiled, liking that he was so impatient to make a home for Radegunde.“Do you have a destination?”she asked.
“I seek a man,” Duncan said with resolve.“Wherever he has hidden himself is my destination.”
“I will miss your companionship, but understand that you must go,” Fergus said.
“Who will ride with you to Dunnisbrae in my absence?”Duncan asked.
“It is not far,” Fergus said.“I will leave at dawn and return by the evening meal.Surely such new accord in the land means a man can make such a short journey unaccompanied?”
“It has been peaceful, to be sure,” Calum agreed.“But should you not take Hamish with you?”
