59. Chapter 59 - Magnus
CHAPTER 59 - MAGNUS
BALLOCH CASTLE - JUNE 1, 1710
I called Sean, Lizbeth, and Liam tae come sit with me in the Earl’s gallery. We sat down in the fine silk-upholstered chairs, around a low table. One of the servants brought us a round of ales tae accompany our conversation.
I said, “Our mother has made the case for ye tae move tae my kingdom. Ye said ye would speak tae each other on it, but I was considerin’ that ye daena ken much about the future, and that ye might hae questions.”
Lizbeth said, “Because our mother was concerned over Sean, we hae tae move our family?”
I shook m’head. “Ye ken that is not what this is, she has asked ye tae come many times afore.”
Lizbeth nodded.
Sean said, “She got really frightened, Lizbeth. I see it in her eyes, and she has a point?—”
“Ye’re taking her side? We hae lived here our entire lives.”
I said, “Ye hae lived in the Earl’s castle yer entire lives…”
Lizbeth huffed.
Sean said, “If something happens tae me, ye will hae even less standing in the Earl’s castle. Ye ken that John daena like us bein’ here, but he kens the men will only listen tae me, so he stays in Edinburgh. If something happens tae me, where will Maggie go?”
Lizbeth said, “Liam would take over yer position. We would see tae Maggie and yer sons.”
Sean leveled his eyes. “Right now I, the nephew of the Earl, am in command of the guards of the castle, aye. Liam would be able tae step in, but then twill be that the husband of the niece of the Earl runs the castle. Liam and I speak on it all the time. His position would be tenuous, and ye would be asking John and his wife tae continue providin’ for Maggie and m’sons, for ye and Liam and yer children.”
I said, “And how dost ye get along with John’s wife, Lizbeth?”
Lizbeth raised her chin. “Ye ken, we daena like each other much.”
I said, “Ye must see, Lizbeth, how the fact that ye live here at the mercy of the daughter-in-law of the Earl must make our mother furious.”
Lizbeth said, “I can see it, aye.”
Sean said, “And think on it, Lizbeth, really think, havin’ m’brother tell me he was worried about something happening tae me, it has given me pause. I daena think that far but I ought tae be seein’ tae yer future, tae m’sons’ future. What am I offerin’ them for their future?”
Lizbeth raised her chin. “Ye hae provided verra well for yer wife and yer sons.”
Sean chuckled. “Ye will argue tae yer detriment tae prove yer side even when ye ken tis nae true. Ye remind me of Lady Mairead.”
Lizbeth pretended tae faint. “Och nae.”
Sean said, “Magnus, daena ye think our sister reminds ye of Lady Mairead when she is arguin’ things that are nae true just tae win the argument?”
I smiled. “I canna speak poorly about Lizbeth, she frightens me.”
Sean said, “Like our mother!”
Lizbeth said, “Fine, I winna try tae win, but we hae a good life. Tis true.”
I said, “Ye hae a good life here because Sean is verra good at runnin’ the men of the castle. Ye are verra good at runnin’ the household. Tis yer energy that is making the Earl’s castle comfortable and safe.”
She said, “True, but still tis a good life.”
Sean said, “Lizbeth, our brother is a king ! Magnus, if I moved my family tae Riaghalbane, would I hae a title?”
“Aye, ye and Maggie would hae titles, Lizbeth and Liam would hae titles, we would pass those titles down tae yer children.”
Sean looked at Lizbeth. “See?”
Lizbeth’s face was worried. “This is a monumental decision. Ye want tae, Sean?”
“Aye, I believe tis time.”
I said, “I ken tis a big decision, but, Lizbeth, I am the king of a land verra far away, a large kingdom, and my castle is grand. Up tae now I hae been reliant on Lady Mairead tae oversee the household in the castle and the kingdom, but she is stretched thin. She daena hae the skills ye hae. I need ye. Ye are lending yer energy tae the empowerment and aggrandizement of our uncle, while yer brother needs yer energy for our own family’s empowerment and aggrandizement.”
“Oh, I haena thought of it that way, ‘our family.’”
“Aye, I am Magnus the First, a king. Ye are m’sister, ye ought tae come bask in m’glory and help run m’kingdom.”
“What would we do?”
“In exchange for comin’, ye will hae a good safe place tae live, and comforts beyond yer imaginings. I ken ye want a good life, but ye like tae be busy — ye would run m’household, and Sean would hae the choice tae run m’grounds and stables.”
Liam asked, “Ye said there is hunting?”
“Aye, and I hae a stable full of horses.”
Sean said, “I wouldna hae tae be in charge of the flying machines?”
I grinned, “Nae, I winna put m’brother, who was born in the seventeenth century, in charge of m’drone army. I will hae other men in charge of that.”
Liam asked, “But I can fly one if I want?”
Lizbeth said, “And we can come back tae visit?”
“Aye, like we do, whenever ye want.”
Lizbeth said, “Will Lady Mairead be there all the time tae boss us around?”
I said, “Nae, she is goin’ tae travel. Ye will take over for her. When she returns we will keep her busy on her art museum doin’ what she loves. If she bothers us we will command Haggis tae sleep on her bed so she will go tae a hotel in another time period. I am verra good at convincin’ her tae go somewhere more civilized.”
Sean said, “I think we are decided.”
I said, “Ye will come, Sean?”
“Aye, I will tell Maggie — when…?”
“Could ye be ready in a month?”
“Aye, are ye coming, Liam and Lizbeth?”
She met Liam’s eyes. He said, “Even with reservations, we ought tae do it so that our son has a title. Twill be important for him. I canna pass that up.”
I looked at Lizbeth.
“This is verra good news — ye agree?”
She met m’eyes. “Aye, I agree, but it must be known that I hae always been of the mind that twould be a mistake, and I hae only relented because ye begged me tae.”
“Tis true, ye are doin’ it because I begged, I will tell all that it is true. And if ye must, ye can tell our mother that I got down on my knees.”
“She does love that a great deal.”