Chapter 22
LADY MAIREAD
I INTRODUCE WILFREY TAE THE EARL
Ismoothed the folds down on the skirts of my deep crimson gown then put my hand on Wilfrey’s elbow. He said, “You look very beautiful, Mairead, far too beautiful tae meet some auld earl.”
“Thank ye, Wilfrey and ye look verra fine, are ye ready tae meet him?”
“The better question is, is the old man ready to meet me?”
I laughed as we swept from my chambers and climbed the stairs tae my brother’s solar, the fabric of my skirts whispering against the stone of the corridors. A dim morning light filtered through the narrow windows, twas raining.
“My son has lost his mind going out in the rain today.”
“He has a plan, you cannot fault him.”
“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.
My eyes swept the room looking for things tae mock. I wasna a bit jealous of his solar: in the future kingdom, mine was much more luxurious, full of art and antiquities. His was dim and dreary. I ran my fingertips across a small table and noted ash dust.
Since I had left here, whenever I returned and was summoned tae pay my respects, I had kept a mental list of the ways I was winning against him.
My rooms smelled of a mix of bergamot and cedar. My rooms were dusted regularly. Nae one would ever need tae complain.
His eyes sharpened and his face settled into a sly, mocking smile.
“Mairead, I would rise, but ye see ye hae interrupted m’breakfast.”
“Tis fine, I wouldna expect ye tae. I would like tae present my husband, Wilfred, Your Grace.”
“Ye hae taken a husband, good, twas long past time for ye tae behave like a lady. He has a title?” He narrowed his eyes.
“He does: he is the Duke of Stirling.”
He frowned. “I hae never heard of this, tis on the peerage?”
“The peerage in Magnus’s kingdom.”
He looked confused, but then waved a hand near his ear. “I wasna expecting company, I might hae dressed.” He reached up under his cap and scratched.
He looked unkempt and vulgar.
I kept my face passive. “Tis naething, Brother. Tis simply an introduction tae a new member of the family — ye look well, better than I hae seen ye the last few visits... what brings ye tae Balloch?”
He said, “With most of the government moved tae London I found Edinburgh less compelling so I came tae the country.” He tapped his fingers on the table. “I want for something tae do... This is why I dinna vote for the union.”
“And is why ye dinna get a seat in parliament.”
He scowled.
“...But the air here is verra fine, it might be boring, but at least ye will be healthy... unless, ye ken, there is a mildew that has been recently found tae afflict the brain, twill cause a great deal of suffering, ye must make certain that it daena affect ye, tis most common near the lochs.”
“Och nae, I hadna heard…” His eyes drew tae the window. “Balloch is verra near a loch.”
“Aye, I am surprised ye arna concerned about it, but now I see ye dinna ken… as long as ye daena stay here long, ye will be fine.”
“How long is yer visit for?” The fire in the grate popped softly, the only warmth in the room but too far away tae cut the chill. I wished I had brought a wrap — there wouldna be this chill in my own quarters; my thermostat would see tae it.
“I am nae certain. I just arrived, but ye ought not worry on me, I hae youthful vigor, tis the elderly and infirm we must be concerned with. Where is yer wife?”
He fiddled with his spoon. “She remained in Edinburgh, she prefers our apartments there.”
“I haena seen them, are they fine? I am surprised ye daena spend more time there.”
“They arna large enough, I find them wanting.”
I nodded. “But Mary is nae much for luxury, so she must nae mind much.”
His forehead scrunched, he asked, “So what is yer reason for returning, Mairead, yer son is here as well, he paid but a pittance, tis surprising he wasna more forthcoming after all I hae done.”
“All ye hae done…?”
“Aye, the housing of yer family while ye are off,” he sneered, “with yer copulating.”
From the corner of my eye I saw Wilfrey’s eyes go wide.
Beyond him, the servants looked shocked.
“Brother, I came tae pay my respects, as a sister should.”
“Respects? Tis all?” He shrugged, “I see where Young Magnus gets his penuriousness.” He wiped his mouth with his linen napkin.
“Tis a concern that ye would ask, it makes ye seem impoverished. Hae ye been brought low, brother?”
“Nae, tis customary, though. Guests will come laden with gifts, even if they are unnecessary.”
“I believe my son gave ye some gold?”
“Twas a small amount! Gifts are also tae show respect and appreciation—”
I said coldly, “Magnus also gave ye a can of sugar, twill suffice.”
Then I asked, “Will ye be coming down tae dine? I wanted tae hear about the news of the day.”
“Ye are a lady, it winna mean much tae ye, and I daena pay much attention tae else.”
“I prefer the political maneuverings, brother, ye ken this.”