“Tis not yer place, mother, now I am grown, I deserved tae ken so I could serve another laird.”
Lady Mairead asked, pointedly, “Who would ye hae served, where?”
“I daena ken.”
“Ye would do just as ye hae done, served the Earl of Breadalbane, one of the best situations, one of the most important Lairds in the land of Alba. Ye would hae done it just as ye hae as his nephew until yer brother, Magnus, ascended tae his throne andthenye would go with him tae his kingdom. Tis the way of history, ye serve where ye must tae provide for yer family. None of this changes anything, tis a wonder Wilfred thought it important tae tell the story at all.”
He patted Lady Mairead’s hand. “You should feel better by having it off your chest.”
“I dinna feel bad about it, it’s just that I am still verra angry at my brother! I despise him yet, but having my grief and shame aired for my children tae hear daena help me one bit. I regret telling the tale.” She leaned forward and with a pointed finger, went around the circle pointing at everyone. “Nae one best pity me, not one of ye, daena do it. I am the formidable Lady Mairead and the mother of a King, ye remember that I am owed respect.”
Lizbeth raised her chin. “While this is a verra sad tale?—”
Lady Mairead said, “Nae pity!”
Sean said, “Maybe ye daena deserve the pity, ye took a man tae yer bed without marryin’ him, and bore a son who is a bastard, more than one. Ye dinna hae one thought of the life ye were making for us.”
Lady Mairead threw her hands in the air. “My sons are the King of Riaghalbane, and the head of the guard for the Earl of Breadalbane. I winna hear one more word of complaint for the life I created for you! The sacrifices I hae made!” She huffed. “Ye ken yer father, Lord Lowden, beat me! He beat me in front of the whole castle! I had tae put ye down on the bed so he could beat me without ye coming tae harm! And my brother the earl dinna do one thing tae stop it!”
She crossed her arms, irritatedly.
“He really beat ye with a bairn in yer arms?”
“Aye.”
Lizbeth said, “This is terrible, but still tis not a reason tae force us from our home.”
Lady Mairead said, “Ye ken that is not the reason, och, ye are usually reasonable, but ye sound just like yer brothers, arguin’ for the challenge of it — we need tae put this conversation away and discuss the matter at hand. My children are leaving here,finally.I will never hae tae see my brother again. We will pack up all yer valuables and yer life will be much better. And Magnus, yer brother, the king of Riaghalbane, will provide for ye and all will be well.”
As she spoke, I watched Lizbeth’s face cloud over, her chin trembling.
Lady Mairead blinked and watched her. “Out with it, ye need tae further the discussion?”
“Aye, because I understand all of this, Mother, I ken yer life has been hard. And ours has been difficult because we are yerchildren with all the whispers and gossip it entailed, but all the story tells me is ye hae always wanted tae leave, there is nae love lost between ye and Balloch, but tis not the same for me, for me this is my home, tis all I hae ever known. It daena assuage my feelings, ye are telling me we are tae take everything and leave for good and I think my heart will break, ye are going tae force me from my home. But I daena want tae, I daena want tae go!”
Lady Mairead said, “Lizbeth!”
Lizbeth huffed.
Lady Mairead said, “Ye ken the reason ye are leaving here has nought tae do with me, tis because yer place here is uncertain. Ye must think of yer children, I sacrificed a great deal, ye can do it as well!”
There was a long angry silence, then Lizbeth gathered herself and said, coldly, “My apologies for losing my temper. I will try tae be more dutiful. None of this is what I hae asked for. I am being forced tae leave against my will. I winna rejoice in it. I will do what I am told, but now I want tae be left alone with my grief.”
She rose from her chair. “May I be excused, Your Majesty?”
Magnus’s eyes went wide. “Who are ye speakin’ tae, Lizbeth?”
“Theking.”
Magnus said, “Och nae, Lizbeth, ye are bein’ unreasonable. Ye arna tae call me by a title, ye used tae wipe m’arse when I was a bairn.”
She said, “I am not that much older than ye. I daena think I ever…”
“Ye ken what I mean.”
“Ye also, Young Magnus, kenexactlywhat I mean.”
Magnus sadly nodded. “I just daena ken what else tae do, Lizbeth, yer sons need a place of their own. This is a truth that ye must accept.”
