I found a growl rising in my throat.
He brushed off his robe, warm with his rant. “And the girl is too much like her mother...” His voice was filled with malice. “Lizbeth stalks these halls as if she owns this place. Putting on airs as if she is a lady of the castle. Her husband is lowborn, without sense, I warned her not tae marry down, but like her mother she will nae listen and tis too late. She has aged, takin’ on my sister’s pinched face and endlessly fussing over a life that is not hers.”
Heat drew up my cheek.
Twas one thing tae insult me, the bastard son of a sister he dinna care for as he couldna control her, but tae insult Sean? Sean was all loyalty and honor — this shriveled man called him a dull blade, how dare he? And tae speak on Lizbeth this callously, when she had selflessly held this household together through fevers and famines, tae say she was puttin’ on airs? My fists clenched in my lap, hidden from view, nails biting intae palms. For myself, I cared little — let him be spiteful, but for them... och nae, twas difficult tae bear. I kept my voice low, calm, “Ye ought tae use care in how ye speak about them, Uncle, they are yer family, nieces and nephews, bearin’ the Campbell name, servin’ in yer guard and household with distinction.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Spare me yer words, Young Magnus. They are a great deal of trouble, as ye ken, tis why ye hae never taken them intae yer own household, leavin’ them in mine.”
I leveled my gaze. “I am takin’ them tae my own household, they will leave in a few weeks?—”
“Yet I haena been told? And so soon?”
“I see nae reason tae tell ye that yer niece and nephew, that ye hold in such poor opinion, will be leavin’. I think ye will find their departure a relief, winna ye? Ye will need tae find a new man tae run yer guard and a lady tae organize yer household, and as there will be nae reason for any of us tae return, this bag of coins will be the last ye will see from myself or Lady Mairead.”
He looked shocked. “Ye will be takin’ Liam as well?”
“Aye, and Maggie, ye will need tae find a woman tae see tae the nursery. I hear she is in command there.”
“Och, so many of m’household…?”
“Ye can ask yer son and his wife tae return from Edinburgh?—”
“They daena like the country as much.”
I raised my brow. “Yer grandson?”
“He is at Oxford…”
“Och, the removal of Sean and Lizbeth sounds as if twill cause ye some difficulties, I will leave ye tae consider what ye will do without them.” I rose, the stool scraping against the floor, and stalked tae the door.
I paused, glancing back. He was rummaging through the pouch once more, coins glinting on the table in the light of day.
CHAPTER 8
KAITLYN
OUR CHAMBER - 1710
Ihad two maids helping me ready our room and make the bed for us, as Magnus entered the room with alook.
“Oh no, how did it go?”
“Twas fine.” He ran a hand through his hair.
I sent the maids away and he sank to the edge of the bed with his elbows on his knees.
“It doesn’t really look fine, you look like something happened. Which, knowing your uncle, is normal. What did he say?”
“He insulted everyone and offended me deeply.”
I frowned.
He continued, “And I told him the family was leavin’.”
“Oh no, and what did he… he insulted everyone?”
“Aye, he is, as James would say, a piece of shite.”
