Magnus leaned forward, “What about a castle near London?”
Lady Mairead nodded. “Aye,thereis a good idea, I hae a few castles here, I already looked at them for my own family.” She passed him some more papers. “Craigmillar and Borthwick, I could get one for a price, yer choice.”
He smiled. “Yer son just said ‘London’ and ye are offerin’ castles in Scotland, tis as if ye arna trying.”
Lady Mairead looked flustered, rifling through papers.
“If ye daena hae any for London then there inna a deal. Lady Glenorchy was just saying she wanted tae move tae London.”
Lady Mairead said, “I am certain I can find one, I just haena yet… I will, ye hae my word.”
Magnus dabbed again at the cut on his cheek. “I will buy ye Hertford Castle, tis north of London, short distance, I visited once.”
Lady Mairead nodded appreciatively. “Aye, that is a good castle, John, tis a Norman motte-and-bailey, verra long history and the current building is a brick-built, three-story Tudor gatehouse. Ye would find it verra fine.”
“Bigger than this?”
“This is bigger, yet that one is better appointed.”
Magnus said, “Tis on the river Lea, fine area, ye would be close tae parliament. In exchange I want Wilfred released, charges dropped, and I want Balloch.”
Lizbeth’s eyes shot to Magnus’s face. “Really?”
He made a short quick nod.
Magnus said, “This is a two part plan. Ye will release Wilfred. I will give ye the castle in Hertfordshire. This is a good trade. Then I will buy Balloch from ye, ye daena like tae live here much anyway, my sister and brother consider it home. I will buy it, name yer price.”
John scoffed. “Ye want my ancestral home?”
“Tis also mine, I want it. I will pay ye well for it. Yer coffers would be full. More money than any other lord in England.”
Henrietta said, “We daena like this house much, but yer father’s art is here, John. Twould be a lot of trouble tae move it, daena ye think?”
Lady Mairead glared at Henrietta, but clamped her mouth shut.
Magnus said, “Dost we hae a deal? Ye will let Sean and Wilfred from the dungeon, I will draw up a contract on the morrow.”
John said, “Alright, we do.”
Magnus said, “Good, but forget tomorrow, we daena hae tae wait for tomorrow, I hae a pen, right here…” He had a leather bag hanging from his belt, he drew it open and dug through it, then Birk said something that chilled me to the bone. “While ye are looking for a pen, Maggy, get me yer device.”
Magnus froze. “What device?”
“The one ye use for journeying and piracy.”
Magnus raised his eyes. “Ye must hae me confused with someone else.”
Birk leaned across the table and before Fraoch could grab it, had snatched up Lady Mairead’s bag. With sure fingers he drew it open and looked inside. “One.”
He said to Magnus, “Now yers.”
“Nae — I daena ken what ye are talking about.” Magnus slammed his hand on the table. “John, why are ye letting this thief pilfer through Lady Mairead’s private things?”
John said, “We worked out a deal, Birk will guard me and I will help him get these devices — he wants them.”
Magnus said, “Och nae, John, ye hae lost yer way, yer father would not approve. He and I dinna see eye tae eye on much, but he took care of family and knew family would take care of him. Ye hae a stranger in yer solar, attemptin’ tae steal from?—”
Steel rang out and the point of Birk’s sword was at Magnus’s throat.
