“Aye, lass, I cannae say I’ll be sorry to see the back of him,” Magnus replied, unsure whether he should agree with her, but he felt relieved as she gave him a grateful smile.
The Earl saw them enter the keep and approached them quickly, his usual pompous demeanor firmly in place. Magnus half expected Leah to shun him, but in true English fashion, she took his hands and kissed his cheek like a dutiful daughter. Her manners were impeccable.
“Goodbye, Papa,” she said, letting go of him quickly and stepping back to Magnus. He had to suppress the urge to take her into his arms immediately.
“You will write to your mother,” the Earl commanded. It was not a question.
“I have already written her a letter,” she said evenly, handing him a slim envelope. “And please take these for Timothy,” she added, handing him three much thicker envelopes.
Her father looked down at them in distaste. “What is this?” he asked.
“They are some more short stories for him to read. Perhaps Mama will read them to him, or he can read them himself as part of his lessons. I have written more on the dragon and the knight for him.”
The Earl sneered. “More fanciful nonsense. You realize you are a married lady now. You should have your head in the business of organizing your household and your staff, not writing frivolous stories.”
“Leah will be doin’ both while she is here,” Magnus stated, glaring at him. “She is a talented writer and will continue to write her stories alongside her other duties. She has me full support in this. I am surprised ye would rather disparage yer daughter’s natural talents rather than celebrate them.”
The Earl’s skin turned a deep red as he looked up at him, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. “How dare you?—”
“As her husband, I dinnae need to justify me defense of me wife, Lord Burton.”
Leah looked back at her husband, her eyes sparkling with mischief as the Earl tucked the envelopes she had given him under his arm and nodded.
“Very well. I will not argue with you about something so trivial. Goodbye, Leah. Send your mother word of your situation regularly. I know she will wish to hear from you.”
“Yes, Papa,” she replied, and they both watched as the Earl got into his carriage and rode away.
Oskar approached them, also watching the retreating carriage, his eyebrows raised. “Ye dinnae resemble yer faither lass,” he remarked, shaking his head. “He isnae an easy man to spend time with.”
“He wasn’t always like that,” Leah replied softly.
“I didnae ken ye had a braither,” Magnus said, feeling guilty that he had not taken the time to ask about her family.
She grinned. “His name is Timothy, and he is wonderful. He is only eight years old. I just hope my father does not ruin him while I am away.”
Oskar shook his head. “If he is anythin’ like ye, I think he will turn out alright, lass,” he reassured her.
He bent down, taking her hand and kissing it reverently.
Magnus felt his jaw clench at the sight, and MacIrvin backed away, giving him a knowing look as he did so.
“I wish ye every happiness. I shall try to control some of Daphne’s ire before she comes to visit. Perhaps we can pretend the weddin’ hasnae happened and have a false one when she arrives.”
Leah laughed and handed over another sealed letter. “Please give her this for me—it explains everything. I would not wish for you to be on the receiving end of her wrath.”
Oskar winked at her as he took the letter. “I have me ways of placating the lass, dinnae worry.”
He turned to Magnus then, holding out a hand, and Magnus shook it quickly.
“I remember yer invitation to visit yer castle, but I didnae expect to do so under such circumstances. Daphne and I, and our son, will come back when we can to spend time here as friends, and our alliance will be stronger for it.”
“Ye are welcome any time,” Magnus said.
MacIrvin bowed to them both before he took his leave.
Leah seemed rather pensive upon their departure and said that she would go inside to get acquainted with her duties as the lady of the castle.
Magnus watched her go even as Kenneth came to stand at his right elbow.
