23. Chapter 23 - Magnus

CHAPTER 23 - MAGNUS

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 18, 1291

L ochinvar said goodnight tae Ash at the stair. She was led up tae her room by a maid and he stood watchin’ her go.

Fraoch, Sean, and I were standing nearby. Sean said, “I think the lad is tormented. What happened?”

Fraoch said, “Aye, fully tormented — I think she has denied him until he marries her.”

Sean shook his head. “Och, the lad called her his wife and here he stands corrected. I suspect tis the work of Lizbeth, for the first time I feel sorry for him.”

Lochinvar returned tae where we stood. “Dost ye think Ash will be well? Ought I go up and see that her room is comfortable enough?”

Fraoch said, “Og Lochie, twill be fine, but explain what has happened — ye arna invited tae her room, she has refused ye?”

“Aye, we must be married first.”

Fraoch chuckled. “She dinna think yer thumb oath was enough? Ye assured me ye were married and she believed it as well.”

“The ladies Lizbeth, Beaty, and Sophie dinna think twas enough, they told her tae refuse me until I married her in front of ye.”

Sean looked amused. “I knew twas Lizbeth’s doin’.”

Lochinvar said, “That is why we came afore I thought of doin’ anything else. Tis why I forgot tae get the weapons, because I hae not slept in days, sittin’ guardin’ her door every night since.”

Fraoch bit his lip to hold back a smile. “She is torturin’ ye, by the looks of it.”

I watched Lochinvar’s face, he was torn between fury at his circumstances and worry over his lass, and looked as if he might decide tae brawl.

I clapped him on the back. “We hae another room near mine, ye can sleep there, I daena want ye in the barracks.”

“Thank ye, Magnus. Twould be good, it has been a long time since I slept.”

I climbed intae m’bed verra late at night. Kaitlyn wrapped her arms around me, “You’re cold.”

“Twas cool out taenight and tis late.”

“No sign of trouble?”

“Nae, twas a calm Scottish night, not a sign of trouble anywhere.”

She raised her thigh up across m’hip. “You showed Lochie and Ash to their room?”

“We hae shown them each tae separate rooms, they winna share a bed until they are married in the morn.”

Her quiet voice in the darkness, “Very interesting... and that’s nice, our Lochie is going to get married.”

“Aye, twill be an important step for him, I am proud he is takin’ it.”

Far too soon there was a soft knock on the door of our outer room.

I rose and shuffled tae see who was there at the cusp of dawn.

Twas Lochinvar. “Magnus, I was wonderin’ if we could prepare for the ceremony.”

I chuckled. “So early, ye must hae barely slept.”

“Aye, twas troubled in m’mind about not bringing ye the weapons, and I ken I disappointed ye, it weighed heavy on my thoughts... And I want tae marry Ash. I hae a verra strong feelin’ that all will be well once I do.”

I said, “I also hae a strong feeling all will be well once ye do?—”

Kaitlyn emerged from our room, “Who is it — Lochie?”

He said, “Aye, Queen Kaitlyn, m’apologies for wakin’ ye, I wanted tae ready for the ceremony.”

Kaitlyn said sleepily. “That’s fine, I love weddings, we might as well get up and get ready.”

She sent maids tae Ash’s room tae help her ready for the ceremony.