Page 18 of Bride Takes a Laird

“I like not that you deem it a task. My father was once a spry man too and noble. Now we are asking your grandda to watch him as if he is a child.”

“I am only trying to relieve your concern. My grandda will befriend him and your da will enjoy staying in the cottage. They will do well together.”

“Will my father be safe?” Her eyes implored him. “I don’t want him walking off. He’s done so before and was lost. He is in an unfamiliar place, even so, he’d often become disoriented at home, and being in an unknown place will likely unsettle him.” She released his tunic and stepped back, lowering her eyes.

Magnus didn’t like the look of defeat on her bonny face. He raised her chin with the tip of his finger. “The island is mostly walled in and the exits are guarded. Your da cannot get out without someone seeing him or allowing his exit.”

A small smile settled on her sweet lips. “Very well, but can we ensure the guards keep him within the walls? Papa has been known to wander and when he wants to abscond…”

“Fear naught because my guards are most effective at their duty. Come, we’ll take him to my grandda’s now, and after, I will have my brother alert the guards,” Magnus instructed Winston to bring LordGraham’s satchel and to follow. The attendant, John, rushed forward to take his master’s belongings from the soldier. Magnus walked along the lane with Kendra and returned the greetings from his clan with a nod. Behind them, her maid, Lord Graham, his attendant, and Winston trailed along.

Kendra, he noticed, smiled at the passersby but she held on to his arm in a death grip. “Your land is beautiful and serene. But are all within your clan of a stern nature? Why are they so angry? Or is it me that causes their displeasure?”

“Ye could not displease anyone, lass. Nay, there is another reason for their hostility.” Magnus hadn’t noticed the sternness of his clansmen and women until she pointed it out. He knew well why they were ireful. “They are not usually of foul temperment but they have good reason to be angry. One of our clansmen was killed recently and his death has not been avenged.”

“Your brother,” she said and turned her face to him. “I am sorry, Magnus, that you lost your brother. You don’t know who killed him?”

“Nay, not yet.” He didn’t elaborate or say anything else about Ned’s murder. The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her. Who knew if they had a knave within the clan? Until he found Ned’s murderer, he would be diligent and would ensure she was protected. He considered putting Winston on duty to see to his wife’s protection when he wasn’t around. Magnus had to give it more thought before he decided.

To lighten the mood, and to give her something else to think about, he took her hand and said, “My clan is large, but my direct family members mostly live within the fief. My mother and father live there, as well as my brother Jake. There’s a handful of servants who also reside within. Wyren, my other brother lives with his wife, Marny, and their bairn, Hale, in a cottage close by.”

“You are fortunate to have family surrounding you. It’s always been Papa, me, and Aston. Aston wasn’t ever home. My father eitheruntil recently.”

“Ye were left alone?” Magnus didn’t like hearing that.

“I had servants who looked after me.”

“Your mother?” he asked, knowing the possible answer, but still, he wanted her to tell him.

“She died when I was very young. Papa never remarried and said that no other woman would hold his heart. It had always been the three of us. Papa was often away but age recently has kept him at home. Aston travels now and offers his sword.”

“If it is family ye want, lass, mine is rather large and intrusive. I warn ye, my mother will be most attentive as she is with all her children, except me. I am certain ye will like her. My da too for that matter.” He released her hand when they had to divert around a tree that sat in the middle of the lane that led to his grandfather’s cottage.

The walk didn’t take long. Ahead, the one-room dwelling sat a stone’s throw from the wall’s back gate. His grandda sat outside with his back against a thick tree trunk with a stalk of wheat sticking from his mouth. Hugh Cameron was usually cantankerous, but this day, he appeared relaxed and agreeable.

“Grandda, I have brought you some company,” he said as he approached and helped his grandfather to stand by taking his hand.

“Magnus, my lad, ye are home at last. ’Tis sad tidings for your ma still mourns Ned. I doubt she shall come out of it anytime soon. How did your travel to Edinburgh go?”

He bowed his head to his elder. “The king insisted that I marry. Aye, this is my wife, Kendra. Kendra, this is my grandda, Laird Hugh.”

“Laird Hugh,” she said and genuflected to him.

“Married? Och, well this is wonderful news. Remind me to tell ye the one about the laird and his new wife,” his grandda said and grinned. He was always one for telling a jest and had the best stories, some of which were rather raucous and not for tender ears. His grandda tossed the stalk of wheat to the ground and stuck out hishand. Kendra placed her hand in his. His grandda raised her hand and almost kissed her knuckles. “What a bonny lass ye have wed, lad. Milady, please call me ‘Hugh’ for I have not been the laird for a good many years.”

“Only if you call me ‘Kendra’.”

His grandda chortled. “And who is this man?”

“This is my father, Lord Rupert Graham.”

“Lord Graham. Have ye come to see your bonny lass settled?” his grandda asked.

“Rupert,” her da said and extended his hand. “’Tis the truth for I know not why I am here or who these people are. Have I been summoned?”

Kendra took her father’s hand and seemed to try to soothe him. “Nay, Papa, you’re here to help get me settled before you return home, remember?”

“Oh,” Rupert said and his gaze meandered around him.