He glanced at Lady Mairead. “It was given to me to match my costume.”
Sean huffed. “It likely winna come tae that. Just keep yer hand on yer sword handle as ye demand the apology, he will give ye one tae keep the peace. He winna want tae duel ye, as ye are young and fit the part, twill all work out.”
“I should demand it though?”
Magnus said, “Aye, ye should.”
“Okay then.” He straightened to his full height and rolled his shoulders back, once. Then he looked toward the stair that led to the Earl’s chambers.
He stood there looking at it for a long moment.
Magnus said, “Ye alright, Wilfrey, ye makin’ up yer mind?”
“No, mind is made up, just taking a moment. I need to walk through the scene in my mind before I begin.”
Lady Mairead said, “Wilfrey, I daena want ye tae, tis fine, ye and I can return tae the kingdom, and I winna hae tae come back.”
He screwed up his face. “That would not be fair, Mairead! It is not fair to you, what, you can never return? It is not fair to me, if I am supposed to leave as if I am a coward. Everyone would speak of it. No, I am not at peace with the castle whispering the things he said.” His eyes swept the room. “I deserve more respect. People are laughing.”
Staring at the door, smoothing his hands down his coat lapels. “I will be back in a moment.”
She looked up at him. “I ken ye want tae fix it, but he is the way he is. There is nae fixing him, I warned ye he was a miserable auld fool and a verra cruel man.”
“Yes, you did warn me, but I was not prepared when he looked me in the eye and said it.”
“Aye. I ken. Tis a terrible thing.”
“You know it, right?”
“I do, aye.”
“So... That’s that.” He said it simply.
Fraoch took a deep breath and exhaled long.
Sean nodded, slowly.
Magnus said, “We will follow ye up, we will wait outside the door.”
Liam stalked into the Great Hall, just then. “Has anyone seen Lizbeth?”
Lady Mairead looked concerned, “Nae, but… we need her, she has the only sensible head in the castle.”
Magnus asked, “Dost nae one ken where she is?”
Liam shook his head. “If she returns, tell her I am?—”
Sean said, “Wilfred is about tae go demand an apology from the Earl.”
Liam groaned. “Och nae, Wilfrey, ye ken this will cause a lot of…?”
“Yes, I know.”
Sean said, “We hae explained it, he kens what he needs tae do.”
Liam exhaled long. “Are ye all goin’ up with him?”
Magnus said, “Aye.”
