Magnus and a Love Beyond Words Read online

  Walking uphill I asked, “Can’t we follow the river?”

  “Nae, I am still concerned we are bein’ followed. If we are elevated, we will spot them.”

  “Oh, that makes sense.”

  Quentin kept checking behind us as we walked.

  I added, “At the tavern I followed your orders because you never give them. I’m simply pointing that out in case it seemed fun and you liked it or something. And I don’t need correcting.”

  Magnus said, “I dinna think twas fun and I wouldna correct ye, I think I have proven it.”

  “Thank you.” I wrapped my hand in his as we walked.

  * * *

  We stopped by a small stream for a rest and agreed to save our treats for the castle. We ate some bread and drank water.

  Magnus said, “I spoke tae Baldie of Beaty Campbell, Master Quentin. He says she is broodin’ for ye. She is verra young and has been speakin’ of ye tae anyone who will listen.”

  Quentin groaned.

  Magnus looked at me mischievously then continued to Quentin. “He also wants me tae warn ye she winna make a good wife; ye are tae ken Beaty Campbell has too a sharp a tongue tae bow gracefully tae ye when ye are her husband.”

  “I’m her husband now?”

  Magnus chewed a hunk of bread and swallowed. “Ye have bed a Campbell cousin of a marryin’ age. Ye bed her and the Campbell men ken ye have bed her. What dost ye mean tae do on it?”

  Quentin stared at the horizon for a moment. “I guess just dating her for a while and seeing how it goes is too much to ask?”

  Magnus chuckled, “Aye, once ye pulled your kilt up ye lost the battle.”

  “Well why the hell do you guys wear these things, anyway? No underwear, you’re at the ready.”

  “Och aye, tis a curse.”

  “It’s not like I got her pregnant.”

  “Tis maybe worse, if she was pregnant her father would accept ye more readily than he is inclined tae now. I have been warned he thinks ye may have run off and disgraced her. We will have tae make it a’right.”

  Quentin ran his hands up and down on his face. “So you were a virgin when you married Katie?”

  Magnus’s eyes twinkled. “Nae, but widows are nae nearly as much trouble.”

  “This should have been something you told me.”

  Magnus said, “So you daena like her?”

  “No, I like her a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing her again. She’s pretty and she made me laugh, and I just would prefer a lot more time to think about it before I marry her.”

  “Aye, ye will have tae do the thinkin’ in the long days after ye are bound.”

  Quentin groaned.

  Magnus said, “The only other option is ye never return and ye choose tae bring a disgrace on her. Twould be easy for ye as ye arna of this time.”

  “No,” Quentin shook his head. “No, I don’t want to do that.”

  Magnus clapped heartily on Quentin’s shoulder. “Then you, my friend, will be wed!”

  “I don’t know if this is at all what I—”

  “Will ye live here and start a farm?”

  Quentin glanced at me. “Can I still work for you and travel? I mean it’s a little like going off to war, right?”

  “Aye, you can leave as long as ye provide well for her.” Magnus stood to walk.

  Quentin said, “How the hell will I do that? I don’t have piles of gold.”

  “I am now a king. I will elevate ye tae the rank of Colonel. As such ye will be able tae bestow upon her family some wealth. I will speak tae her father on it tonight.”

  Quentin groaned. “Speak to her father — will I have to speak to her father?”

  “Aye, ye will have tae afore the wedding.”

  Quentin groaned again.

  And we all trudged toward Balloch Castle.

  Chapter 48

  The front wall was still busted. But the piles of rubble all over the courtyard had been cleaned and straightened, stones piled according to size ready to be used in the rebuild. When we arrived through the front gates, Sean met us to take Magnus and Quentin to meet with the Earl.

  And then there was Lizbeth rushing across the courtyard — “Kaitlyn!” She hugged me and held me out to have a long look. “I hae never seen ye look so fresh and well. Our Young Magnus has had a blow tae the face, I see, trouble has followed him, but ye are neither frantic — or is that almost a glow? Are ye with bairn?”

  “No, it’s only the first time you’ve seen me that nothing dramatic or awful has happened. Nothing bad is happening, not really, we’re simply home to visit for once. And no baby, not yet.”

  She hooked her arm through mine. “Twill happen in time. Young Magnus has reconciled with Sean I see.”

  “He has, he got on his knees and begged Sean to forgive him.”

  “He is a good boy.” She led me into the castle. “And Black Mac is here, has he come back for Beaty?”

  “Yes, definitely. Absolutely.”

  “Good because she is chirpin’ like a pea hen about him, and we are all verra tired from the listenin’ on it.”

  “Perfect, because he is eager to marry her so we’ll arrange it soon.”

  Lizbeth laughed a merry laugh. “And once she is married, she will fast lose her insistence he is ‘the verra best of men’. Tis nothin’ like wakin’ in the morn with them snorin’ and smellin’ tae ken the true worth of them.”

  I laughed. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed ye too, sister, I am verra glad tae have ye home.”

  “I’m relieved it is your home, Magnus and I weren’t sure what we would find.”

  “Once the machines and Commander Davis were gone, Liam and Baldie met with Sean and the Earl. It dinna take them long tae decide the family was safer inside the walls than without so we returned. I told Sean he had behaved like a howlin’ gimcrack, and we made up because he agreed with me on it.”

  “And how’s your baby?”

  “He is a verra good baby.” The corner of her lip turned up. “Or so the nurse tells me.”

  “One last question, are there still rumors about me? That I’m a—”

  She pressed her finger to my lips. “Nae, Madame Greer has handled the rumors, she has spoken tae everyone on it. After we saw my midwife accused, we have all become more sensible on it, and we are a fortunate village our minister haena the kind of darkness tae his sermons that some have. Ye are safe, Kaitlyn, and I pray ye are always safe from now on.”

  We entered the Great Hall and found there a platter of bread with ale to wash it down. We stood by the table and ate. “What’s taking them so long?”

  “I suspect the meetin’ with the Earl has now included Beaty’s father. They wouldna want tae wait. The family has been verra concerned Black Mac wasna returning.”

  Chapter 49 - Magnus

  We were led intae the Earl’s upper chambers, intae the small room where he received visitors. Twas stone walled but lavish with furnishings. He was quite proud of this room and I found it amusin’ tae think his sister, Lady Mairead, had filled coffers with much more than this in a single trip.

  The Earl sat in a large carved chair, wearin’ a towerin’ wig and rouge-stained cheeks. I bowed and apologized for the trouble my war had caused him and—

  “The men have told me ye are a king now, Young Magnus? You have ascended tae Donnan’s throne?”

  “I have.”

  He sat for a verra long time watchin’ me, spinnin’ the ring on his long fingers.

  “Lady Mairead told me of wondrous riches there...” His voice trailed off.

  “I do rule over a vast kingdom, but the wealth is nae more than Scotland’s wealth, your grace.”

  He waved my words away. “Seems I should be addressing ye so. What of your coffers — have ye much gold?”

  “I have some, dost ye need gold, Uncle? I thought ye in command of great wealth as well as the favor of the queen?”

  “I am stretched, of course, far beyond what is my
fair burden. There have been many battles fought tae protect our lands, and there has been much damage tae my walls... I have been protecting ye without asking for anything in return.”

  “Of course. I have some gold with me, and ye will have my assistance, Uncle. I will speak with my advisors as soon as I return.”

  “Would ye be willin’ tae sign a covenant on it?”

  I said, “Aye. Will ye have your advisors meet with me on the morrow? We will negotiate favorable terms.”

  “Good good, and now what of this other matter, this matter of your friend,” he nodded toward Quentin in the corner, “and our Beaty Campbell?”

  One of the Earl’s advisors entered the room approached him and whispered.

  The Earl said, “Let him in.”

  Twas Beaty’s father, James Campbell. We all called him Jimmy. He was verra old, stooped and gnarled. I kent him tae have verra many children, most of them daughters, from verra many wives, which meant he would be amenable tae a marriage for his youngest child.

  The Earl introduced us and then I introduced Jimmy to Colonel Quentin Peters. Jimmy said to Quentin, “Ah, you are a Colonel though ye art a black man?”

  Quentin said uncomfortably, “Yes, sir.”

  The Earl said, “Jimmy, Magnus is now a king, he has taken his father’s throne.” He spoke loudly as if Jimmy was hard of hearing.

  “Ah, a king.” Jimmy bowed low and for a moment I wondered if he was able tae stand again.

  I said loudly, “Colonel Quentin Peters, would like tae marry your Beaty. He has a large purse and can take care of her verra well. I can vouch for him that he is a good man and will do much tae further your family’s fortune.”

  “What’s that you say?”

  The Earl said, “Colonel Peters wants tae marry Beaty. Will ye agree?”

  Jimmy scoffed. “Beaty? She is verra useless, she daena have the makin' for a good wife, your highness, ye must be mistaken.”

  Quentin looked confused by the conversation.

  I said, “Nae, he wants Beaty.”

  Jimmy said, “I haena a dowry for her.”

  I said, “He inna askin’ for a dowry, he is offerin’ tae take her and provide for her.”

  “My niece, Mildred, would make a pleasin’ wife, she makes a—”

  “He wants tae marry Beaty. Your daughter, Beaty Campbell.”

  “Beaty? Why does he want tae marry Beaty?”

  I looked at the Earl tae assist.

  He said, “Jimmy Campbell do you give this man, Colonel Quentin Peters permission tae wed your daughter, Beaty?”

  Jimmy, sensing the importance of the situation, straightened his back and said, “Aye.”

  The Earl summoned his secretary tae bring the paperwork.

  On a side table with a quill pen, Quentin signed the contract. Then Jimmy signed with a shaky scribble, I signed my new signature, Magnus the First, and the Earl signed last.

  When I looked intae Quentin’s face tae congratulate him he looked terrified.

  * * *

  We found Kaitlyn and Lizbeth in the Great Hall. I hugged Lizbeth hello and kissed Kaitlyn and jokingly presented Quentin. “He is bound, tis official.”

  Lizbeth laughed a high spirited laugh. “How much did ye get for takin’ her?”

  I answered, “A lighter purse, we dinna bargain for her. Colonel Peters has offered tae provide for her father.”

  Lizbeth said, “Och, tis a terrible deal, ye will be regrettin’ it once she is bossin’ ye around, Black Mac. You had the freedom of a bachelor and now ye will hae the sufferin’ of a husband.”

  We all laughed.

  I said, “Has Kaitlyn told ye of our purpose?”

  “Nae, she has told me ye came tae see me!” She laughed merrily.

  “She left her ring at Madame Greer’s house when she was here last.”

  “Her ring! I have it hidden and safe, I will bring it tae ye tonight at dinner.”

  Chapter 50

  We were all talking when Quentin’s eyes locked on a young woman across the room. She was pretty, blonde, fair, and petite and when she smiled she had dimples. She was smiling, a lot. Like a whole lot.

  She ran squealing into Quentin’s arms. “I kent ye would come for me. They told me ye werna goin’ tae and I told them my Quentin would come for me. And ye did!”

  I watched as Quentin looked into her eyes. “Of course I came for you.” They kissed. “I asked your father if I could marry you and he said yes and—”

  He glanced at me and Magnus, then around at all the men watching. Then Quentin got down on a knee in front of her.

  He held her hands. “Beaty Campbell will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Aye!” She jumped up and down and threw her arms around his head and repeated, “Aye! I kent ye were goin’ tae marry me. Nae one would believe me, but I kent it!” He stood and they hugged tightly rocking back and forth.

  I laughed. “Finally someone in our family that makes me look mature.”

  Lizbeth joked, “You look positively matronly beside that one, Madame Kaitlyn.” We both laughed.

  * * *

  After dinner, the crowds of people were dispersing and we had only Sean, Lizbeth and Liam, Baldie, Quentin with Beaty sitting in his lap kissing his face whenever she could, and me and Magnus left so we decided to open our bags and pass out some gifts. We let Magnus have the fun of it.

  Baldie joked, “Nothin’ will buzz around our heads and try tae kill us?”

  “Nae, but twill be a funny tickle in yer throat when ye drink.” He passed a soda bottle to each of them. “They each have differin’ flavors. You can read it on the label if ye want tae.” Most everyone turned their bottle to investigate the labels.

  Magnus said, “Och, I daena have one of the fancy—” He performed a gesture for opening the bottle.

  I said, “A bottle opener, we forgot a bottle opener.”

  Quentin groaned, “I had one on my keychain and gave it to Hayley. Wait…” he gently dislodged Beaty, stood, and took the first bottle. With the handle end of his sword, he pried the cap off with a pop. “Mandarin lime flavor.” He passed it to Beaty who took a dainty sip spilling some of it into her cleavage. Her eyes went big. “Tis a...” She seemed at a loss for words and took another sip.

  Quentin circled the table popping bottle tops off, but then Sean had to try to do his own and he and Magnus competed to see who could get their bottle top off first. Then they all raised their bottles, said, “Slainte!” and swigged.

  Sean said, “Tis awful,” he licked his lip, “tastes of honey and...” He swigged again.

  There was a lot of spillages when Baldie and Lizbeth could not get their mouths to work, but there was a great deal of exclaiming and excited gasps at the taste. Even Liam smiled and I hadn’t ever seen him do that before.

  I said, “We have candy for the children too, but also these...” I brought out a tin of cookies and handed it to Beaty. “Since you’re new to the family, this is for you.”

  For Lizbeth I made a small pile on the table in front of her, lotions and perfumes, soaps and candles. “Smell it.” I showed her how to open the lotion and waved it under her nose. Her eyes lit. “Tis so pretty, like a flower!”

  She waved it under her husband’s nose. “Och, tis a rose.”

  I said, “It’s rose scented for your skin if it’s dry, you can rub this in and it will feel better.” I rubbed a tiny bit of lotion on the back of her hand. She rubbed it in and sniffed it again. Then sniffed it again. And again.

  Magnus passed around beanie hats to Liam, Baldie, Sean, and one for himself. Quentin said he didn’t want one, but I guessed it was because Beaty was kissing him and twirling her fingers through his hair. Sean and Magnus were snickering about it.

  I gave Lizbeth the quilt next. “I shouldna be takin’ so many presents, Kaitlyn.”

  “You should, but you can share if you want to.”

  She wrapped in the quilt. “I daena want tae share!” Then she tea
sed Liam, “Ye can have some if ye are kind about it. You will want tae since I smell of roses.” She laughed and he chuckled.

  Chapter 51

  On our way to our room I stopped at the window where we had made love decades before this. “Here,” I said. I ran my hand along the window sill, remember being perched on it while he—

  “Och.” He said. “I have always wanted tae have ye here.”

  “Really? Like, you think about it? Having me at times you aren’t having me? In places you haven’t had me?”

  “Och aye, I think on it.”

  “Really? And this is one of those places?”

  He nodded.

  I asked, “Do you want to...?”

  “Nae, I daena...” He shook his head. “Maybe another time.”

  “That’s okay, it is weird I’ve done something with you that you have no memory of.” We continued up the stairs. “But seriously, you think about having me in other places? Name one.”

  “I have named ten places in m’head between the Great Hall and this floor of the castle.”

  “Really, just now? So we had dinner with your family, and now we’re headed to our room and you’re looking around at everything thinking about having sex there?” I teased, “This is all so scandalous.”

  “Aye, see that table? Your arse would look verra beautiful bent over it.”

  “Master Magnus, I believe you are drunk!”

  “See that corner? I could spread your legs there. I think ye wouldna argue on it.”

  I laughed. “You’re right, I wouldn’t. But we should get all these leftover presents to our room. Let’s have me properly in a bed.”

  “Aye, on a vermin filled mattress on a proper bed in the 18th century. Tis creaky tae alert our neighbors but sturdy tae keep us from fallin’ tae the dirtier ground.”

  I laughed happily. “Just what we need.”