We sat down at the table once more. The musician was playing again, quieter music, dancing was happening, but slow dancing, the kids had cleared out of the Great Hall headed off on some kind of mischief having taken most of the candy with them.
Sean and Maggie and Liam joined us. Lizbeth sat far away from Lady Mairead, but it didn’t keep her safe from her sharp attention.
A dinner was served for Lady Mairead and Wilfrey, the rest of us said we were full.
Lady Mairead said, “I do wonder how they kept it warm.”
Wilfred took a bite and keeping his face passive, said, stoically, “It is not.”
She sighed, ate a small bite of the main, then asked, “Magnus, why are ye here, hae ye brought yer family? The bairns haena come tae see me yet?”
“Kaitlyn and I came on our own. We are delivering chests for Sean and Lizbeth tae pack intae.”
Lady Mairead said, “Really? Seems a silly reason, I believe they hae more than enough chests here, and tis not as if they need tae take anything.” She turned her focus to Sean and Maggie, “Everything you can want will be there, and if we daena hae it ye just needs ask.”
Lizbeth said, “Ye expect me tae move tae a new home with nothing?”
“Nae, but ye hae so little that is truly yers.”
Lizbeth stood from her seat. “I hae heardenoughof it, I winna sit here and be insulted.”
Lady Mairead said, “I dinna mean anything by it, I just meant ye will hae access tae so much. Please, sit, daughter.”
Lizbeth’s chin quivered as she returned to her seat.
Magnus said, “The Earl was insultin’. I think we all hae had enough.”
“What did he say?”
Lizbeth took a deep breath. “Tis not important, I winna dwell on it.”
Lady Mairead’s brow cocked. “Does he ken ye are leaving?”
Magnus said, “I informed him, he dinna take it well, but he has decided tae show his irritation with complaints and insults.”
Lady Mairead huffed. “Tis his way, I suppose, he always must be a horrible person even when presented with a chance tae be gracious.”
She looked at Wilfred. “He could just say, even if he daena believe it, that they hae served him well and he is saddened tae see them go. Twould be easy and all would accept it as true,”
Wilfred nodded, muttering in a supportive way, “That is true, that is what he should say.”
She continued, “But nae, he has tae say terrible things, cause ache in the heart ofmydaughter, and everyone in the castle kens tis nae true.”
Wilfred kept nodding, “Hear hear, he has said terribly insulting things, it is a travesty. Almost enough to ruin this whole visit.”
Lady Mairead poked at the air with her fork. “Sean and Lizbeth hae run his household and protected the castle their whole lives.”
He waved his fork and knife. “You told me that, many times.”
“Everyone kens.”
“Absolutely.”
“He proves himself a liar at his age. Tis?—”
Wilfred finished, “Contemptible.”
She reached out and squeezed his hand with a smile.
