“Oh, I can fault him, he inna being wise, I can fault him all the live long day.”
We walked in silence and I thought about what I had been told of the Earl’s barbs towards Lizbeth at dinner, his casual cruelties toward Sean and Magnus, it had kept me up last night, weighing on my mind. The ill treatment of my children felt directed at me.
I kent that the children would laugh at me for taking the insult for myself, they would find it amusing, they would say I make ‘everything about myself’, and that I ‘never thought of them’. But they would be wrong: the truth was, in matters of titles and half brothers, and bastards, and power, the Earl insulted my children tae get at me, tae put me in my place.
Twas about me. Not about them.
Though I knew it hurt their feelings.
On a day like today, with gloomy rain and colder weather, it was easy tae stand in the gallery, warm and dry, and admire all of its beauty. Then, it was difficult tae imagine leaving for good, never tae see it again. But at this moment, in a dark dank corridor, a cold draft chilling our feet, I could nae think why anyone would want tae stay, especially why Lizbeth might be so reluctant tae leave.
When I was wondering this, Wilfrey did what he seemed tae often do, read my mind. “Why do you think your daughter does not want to leave, Mairead?’
I laughed. “She believes this is her home; she has confused the cold stone walls with her lineage, her ancestors and her familial happiness. I daena ken how tae talk her from it.” I huffed.
“She will likely understand, once she relocates.”
“My daughter wants her roots, I want her tae come tae our kingdom and help me rule?—”
He chuckled. “Help yer son rule.”
“Ye ken what I mean.”
“It is a tragedy. She believes her toil built this castle, she made it her home. I can see what she loves about this place. It is a wonderful century. Breathe it in.” He circled his hand in front of his chest and breathed in deeply. “It is old and historic. I would stay here if I could.”
“Because of the smell?” I shook my head. “Well, Balloch is not hers by law. She winna ever hae it. These are nae my rules. I daena get tae make the rules.” I smiled, “Except in my kingdom, tis why I want her tae come where I rule.”
He chuckled again. “I am glad King Magnus is not hearing you.”
I waved my hand. “He is an auld softy, he is near-broken because his sister spoke harshly tae him, and he’s barely recovered this morn. I doubt he slept last night, thinking it over. He was putting on a brave face at breakfast, for his special day planned with Kaitlyn. He and Sean do dote on Lizbeth.”
We came tae the room.
I said, “I ken I hae said this before, Wilfrey, but this is how twill go, he will begin the conversation with a modicum of courtesy, but he will always needle, insult, and vex, looking for the moment tae sting.” I brushed off the shoulder of his fine coat. “If I would just learn tae be quiet and take the insults I might hae the chance tae leave afore his mood turns too dangerous, but tis verra difficult for me tae be quiet.”
“Do you want me to pull you from the room before it gets to that point?”
“Nae, I want the danger today, perhaps tis my mood, but I am verra angry with him and need the righteous indignation.”
The pageboy rushed from the door and bowed low. “M’lady, I heard hushed voices, the Earl would prefer ye tae wait, he will see ye in a moment.”
I rolled my eyes. “He ought tae not make me wait… tell him his sister has arrived. With her husband Wilfred.”
The page slipped through the door.
I kept my head high, my eyes focused on the door. I smoothed down the front of my dress.
I wasna usually one tae accept being told tae wait, but I could use the anger tae fuel me.
Finally the door opened and the page bowed. I pushed past the door, and stepped intae my brother’s solar. Twas as I remembered though I hadna needed tae come in for a year or more. Twas dim, stuffy, and smelled of dust and a man who needed tae bathe.
But, twas the nicest chamber in the castle, well-appointed for the time period. There was a window that faced east for the morning sun where he sat beside a small table and his half-finished breakfast tray. Beyond the pageboy at the door, two more servants waited quietly inside the room, standing near the wall as if they had long ago learned tae keep still when their master was in a temper.
He scowled as if he were indeed in a temper.
I noted he looked ridiculous without his tall wig, though he had looked ridiculous with it, too. But wearing it, he always looked regal, taller and able-bodied. Now he was wearing a silk cap and a morning gown and taking breakfast in his chambers — he looked weak. I found a man who couldna bother tae dress tae be off-putting. I always had.
But sadly, he did not look as weak as I had hoped, considering he was almost a quarter century older than I. I had grown used tae the idea that he must be near death, terribly weakened, but nae, he looked capable enough.
