He shrugged. “Nae one saw anything like a duel, twas a murder, more likely.”
Lady Mairead said, “I will tell everyone about Glencoe, I will destroy his memory! I will speak tae the queen! Ye canna lock us all away!”
Birk said, “Ye will hang before ye hae the chance tae speak taeanyone.”
She clamped her mouth shut.
Magnus said, “Birk, if ye ever speak tae Lady Mairead, the widow of the Earl of Lowden, the sister of the Earl of Breadalbane, that way again, I will hae ye whipped.”
Birk grunted.
Magnus said, “John, naething good will come of this, twill create a scandal that all of Alba will be discussing. Allow us tae leave. I will take Lizbeth, Sean, my mother and her husband away, ye will never see us again. In exchange for allowin’ us tae go, I will fill yer coffers.”
He chuckled. “Och, ye are attempting tae negotiate. Ye see yer position is weak, ye sound guilty.”
“Nae, I know the truth of it, but why draw out a discussion when we can be amiable, and keep yer reputation intact. None of us want a scandal.”
“How come ye are speakin’ for yer family?” Henrietta smiled gaily. “Ye are the youngest, the bastard son.”
I saw heat rise on Magnus’s cheek. He looked at John under his brow. “I speak for m’family, because I am?—”
Lady Mairead said, “Because he is a king.”
“Right, a king of a place nae one has heard of.” John exhaled. “Ye canna throw yer wealth at me, Magnus, there is a point of honor here.”
“Aye, if ye will just listen tae me?—”
“Nae, I hae heard enough.”
“Lady Mairead, after this meeting ye are tae go tae yer chamber. I need ye tae leave yer possessions and yer weapons.”
Magnus said, “John, ye are makin’ a mistake. Ye canna treat Lady Mairead with?—”
“Ye need tae understand, Magnus, yer family has killed the Earl, ye are all a part of it, the messenger is already on the way tae the queen.”
Lady Mairead banged her hand on the table. “I am a friend tae the queen, this will not stand!”
Magnus said, “Besides, I daena believe ye, we hae good messengers, aye, but tis dark and raining. Ye are goin’ tae wait for the morn tae send the messenger tae London, ye are just trying tae frighten us.”
“Are ye frightened?”
“Nae, I hae nae reason tae be frightened, Wilfred was within his rights?—”
Birk stepped forward and interrupted, “Dost ye want me tae take Magnus tae the dungeon as well?”
Henrietta looked like she was admiring his arm, a bit of pink rushing up her face.
Magnus said, “Birk, ye lay a hand on me twill be yer last.” He leaned on the table. “John, ye hae miscalculated. Leave Lady Mairead be, and tell yer man tae keep his hands off me.”
John said, “Nae, I ken my rights and I am within them. If ye fight, Magnus, I hae yer wife here, dost ye want her in the dungeons as well?”
Magnus straightened and stepped back. “Nae, tis nae necessary.”
John said, “Lady Mairead, leave everything on the table so I can go through it.”
Her eyes wide. “Even my folder? But it holds my confidential letters and papers!”
“Leave it.”
