Magnus stood and kissed the top of her head. She would rather it have been on the mouth, but she would accept it either way. Together they walked back to the keep and when they entered the hall it was to see only Saga and MacDomnail seated at the table. They joined them and she ate a little, but her belly was not content to process much in the way of food. Saga looked at her pointedly a few times, but thankfully said nothing. Elspeth was not sure she could handle any kind of confrontation with anyone at the moment much less this woman.
After she finished her meal, a servant led her and Magnus upstairs. She entered one chamber and he was directed to the one across from hers. She was glad to know he would be close by. Without removing anything other than her boots, Elspeth crawled under the covers and closed her eyes, willing precious peaceful sleep to sweep her away from the madness her life had become.
CHAPTER NINE
Magnus paced outside Elspeth’s chamber door. He’d been awake since dawn wanting to go across the hall and sit beside her bed while she slept to convince himself she was unharmed. If they were still on Islay, that’s exactly what he would do. Here was different.
“Is she awake?” Vigdis asked from the top of the stairs.
“I do not know. I do not want to disturb her if she is resting, but I want to be sure she is well.”
“Then we will knock and see for ourselves,” she said and raised her fist to the door.
“’Tis open,” a voice called from inside.
Vigdis opened the door revealing Elspeth who was dressed and sitting by the fire.
“Do you need anything, Lady Elspeth?” Vigdis asked.
“I am a little hungry,” she said.
“Come, let us break our fast with the others in the hall.”
Magnus was confused. Elspeth appeared as though nothing from the day before had occurred.
“Did you rest well?” he asked her.
“Aye, I slept through the night and am feeling much better this morning.”
“Are you certain you want to dine in the hall with the others?”
“I am,” she said. “I do not wish to stay in this chamber all day. Besides, if I’m to understand what is at play here, I must face it head on.”
“So you have decided to stay and speak with Freydis?”
“I have.”
“What if you discover something that is upsetting or counter to what you believe?”
“Then I shall face that too.”
She walked past him, leaving him no choice but to follow. He’d been so worried about her throughout the night, he scarce slept. Now to find her refreshed and eager to discover what was happening was a welcome transformation from where she’d been the night before in the chapel. Either way, he’d promised to stay with her and that was exactly what he intended to do.
When they entered the hall, those gathered stopped eating and watched as she crossed to sit beside her brother. He kissed her on the forehead and filled a trencher and goblet for her.
Magnus sat beside Saga and across from Elspeth and Vigdis sat on his right. Magnus watched her devour her bread and meat for a while and when he was convinced she really was feeling better, filled his own trencher with chunks of rabbit and wild boar.
“Where is Freydis?” he asked Saga.
“She has been at her dwelling since last evening. She said once she cast her runes and had some answers she would return here to speak again with Lady Elspeth.”
“I am eager to speak with her too,” she said between bites of food and sips of ale.
“I will send for your gowns today,” Osgar said. “I believe we should remain here until—”
“That is a very good idea,” Saga’s husband Giric said.
“Until what?” Magnus asked. He didn’t miss that Giric tried to cut Osgar off. If there was something going on, he had a right to know what it was.
