The Earl picked up his fork and began to eat again, his eyes averted.
Magnus took a deep staggering breath. “Lizbeth, I look forward tae when ye come tae Riaghalbane. Ye will hae the title Duchess. Duchess of Breadalbane I believe, would do ye?—”
The Earl’s head snapped up. “TheDuchessof Breadalbane? There inna a Duke and Duchess of Breadalbane, tis nae in the peerage! The earldom of Breadalbane is as high as it goes! And tis my title!”
“Tis now goin’ tae be in the peerage, I hae decided it. Twill be bestowed upon Liam and Lizbeth. Sean will be given the title of Duke of Strathclyde.”
The Earl’s eyes narrowed. “That inna a title either.”
Magnus shrugged.
The Earl looked down on his plate. “Where will they live?”
“I will need them in my kingdom. The Duke of Strathclyde will be named Lord Commander of the Kings guard, the Duchess of Breadalbane will be my Laird Chamberlain.”
“I hae never heard of such as that. Ye are calling a Duchess a Laird?”
“I am a king, I can do whatever I want.” Magnus drained his drink and snapped his fingers for more.
The Earl scowled and went back to eating, hunched awkwardly over his plate so his wig didn’t fall off.
Magnus said, “Lizbeth, hae ye looked over the chests I brought, seen if they are sufficient for yer needs?”
“Nae…” She sipped from her glass. “I am verra busy, Young Magnus, at the storerooms on the fourth floor, I canna be expected tae forget one chore that needs be done tae pick up another.”
She looked at her glass, then held it up to the light.
She leaned forward and asked, “Sire, from where did ye acquire this fine crystal?”
He straightened up. “I see, Lizbeth, ye hae a fine eye for well-crafted pieces. These were imported from London, the glassworks at Vauxhall. Hae ye seen it?”
She shook her head. “Nae. I haena been tae London, I never had the chance tae see it.”
“Och, ye ought tae hae gone at least once.” He settled back in the chair, holding the glass in his hand. “Twas at nae small cost. None of yer murky Highland glass or that cheap tavern rubbish the MacDonalds peddle.” He turned it in the light. “These were blown by master craftsmen, ye ken, they learned their trade from the Dutch. Cost me eight pounds the dozen, and that was after haggling with the merchant till he near wept. Worth every shilling, mind ye. Nae laird in Argyll or Perthshire has the like. Not even the Duke at Inveraray can boast such finery on his table.”
He set the goblet down and then fixed his gaze on Magnus. “I doubt ye hae such fine crystal in yer kingdom. Lizbeth will miss dining with such luxurious place settings, but tis all she can expect, as she has nae wealth of her own.”
Magnus said, “Ours are fine enough, Lizbeth will find my castle a?—”
“Magnus, do what ye wish, but ye will learn that the girl is a striver. Living off my good graces?—”
Magnus said, low like a growl, “Careful, auld man.”
The Earl scoffed. “I mean nothing for it, I hae always felt sorry for Lady Mairead’s children for havin’ the misfortune of being born tae her. Tis why I hae always provided for them, even when there was nae benefit tae myself.”
Sean shoved his chair back from the table.
The Great Hall held a scandalized hush.
The fiddler’s bow faltered.
I could feel Magnus’s fury. I put my hand on his arm.
Lizbeth raised her chin. “Sean, Young Magnus, not a word. Sean, ye mind me. Keep yer seat.”
Sean’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing. He and Magnus were both frozen. Glaring at the Earl, fighting against their urge to beat the man for the offense.
The Earl raised his own chin, a family resemblance. He placed his napkin on the table. “I am done with my meal. I must go tae my solar.”
