“I am well. I am also worried about your sister. I have become protective of her lately.”
“Aye, I could see that at MacDomnail Castle. I’m told your brother is interested in making an arrangement for you.”
The man didn’t mince words. Was he that eager to be rid of his sister? The thought made his jaw tick. One wanted to exploit her and the other wanted her married off. He supposed he should be grateful he was being considered, but in truth, why were they all so eager to be married?
“My brother knows better than to meddle into my personal affairs.” He didn’t mean to sound irritated, but he couldn’t help it.
“I did not mean to offend you or intrude. But I wanted to broach the topic since I am aware my brother offered Elspeth to you on Islay. I do not know how much of the arrangement was settled or if you had even voiced your reply.”
“If you recall, I believe you promptly interrupted that discussion.”
“I had hoped that was what had occurred.”
Magnus had to know. “Why do you ask of that now?”
“Because I have had an offer put to me for her that I am considering. But if an offer is already in place, I will honour it.”
An offer? Magnus was ready to throttle the man for even suggesting it. No man would ever lay a finger on his woman not ever.
He opened his mouth to speak only to be met with Osgar’s chuckling.
“You do not need to answer me now,” he said. “From the look on your face at the moment, I believe I already know it.”
“You do not need to wait,” Magnus said. “I was offered Elspeth and was interrupted. I now accept. She will be my wife.”
Magnus waited until Osgar nodded, a little of the colour having left his face in the process, then walked on ahead in the direction Elspeth had taken toward the keep. After a few strides he stopped and walked back to Osgar.
“Tell no one. Not even her.”
“I’m afraid that will not be possible as the requestor is still present. He will no doubt put the pieces together once he sees you and your betrothed together. Truly, I do not know who you think you are fooling,” Osgar said with a grin. “Anyone with eyes could see you have both already formed an attachment.”
Magnus scrutinized the man’s expression for jesting and found none. Truly, these Scots were a peculiar lot. Though he supposed Gunnar was not much different. Though he had not actively sought out these arrangements, he welcomed them when they landed on his doorstep.
“Come inside,” Osgar said and clapped Magnus on the shoulder. “Let me welcome you to my home and share some ale.”
Magnus followed Osgar inside the keep and looked around. He admired the way their structures were built with stone. After visiting MacDomnail Castle the first time, he considered using all stone to build on the piece of land Gunnar had laid out for him on Islay. It need not be anything as big as this place, but stone did have its merits.
The door to the entrance of the keep was as wide as two normal doors put together and was held together with long pieces of iron that were curved at the ends. He’d never seen anything like it in his life as most hammered metal he’d seen did not require such decoration.
Osgar pushed open the heavy door revealing a surprisingly bright entranceway, only then did Magnus realize there was a window high above the door allowing light to illuminate the entire entrance hall. It was a curious but brilliant addition and he found himself looking up at it from inside the keep.
“My grandfather fancied himself a bit of an architect. He recognized the need for protection, but he also enjoyed any opportunity to provide more light in the keep. Unfortunately, he didn’t foresee the cold draft that usually comes from that window in the winter. We usually place a tapestry over it when it gets really cold.”
They walked along the hallway and Magnus noted the tapestries dotting the walls. He understood they were meant to help stave off the cold, but some, as in this case told stories. He would ask Elspeth to explain them to him later.
Osgar turned right and entered a medium sized hall with a large hearth and many weapons on the walls. A large set of antlers rested on the wall behind an ornately carved wooden chair. All the others around the table were solid looking, but lacked the decoration of this one. The hall held a warmth he’d not felt at MacDomnail Castle, but reminded him of the tower.
There was something familiar about this place though he had never visited here before; somehow he had a sense of belonging for this room in particular. But how could that be, in a place he’d never entered before?
“Please make yourself comfortable,” Osgar said and motioned toward large, cushioned chairs near the hearth.
Magnus sat in one and a moment later a servant appeared with a large pewter goblet. He looked inside and sipped. Liking the smoothness, he took a larger gulp of the ale and finished the offering. The servant promptly filled it again. Magnus looked up at her. She was young and sort of pretty in a childlike way. He couldn’t understand why she waited.
“May I offer you aught else?” she asked with a smile.
“More ale,” Osgar said as he took the seat across from Magnus. “And some meat pies.”
She nodded and disappeared. Magnus looked around the hall again and wondered why he felt so at ease. That never happened to him. Normally he would not rest until he had completely scanned a place to ensure there was no one about intent on making trouble.
