Page 19 of Bride Takes a Laird
“I want him to stay in the empty cottage next to yours, Grandda,” Magnus explained. “There is no room at the fief and Kendra will be comforted to know ye will help his man look after him.” He motioned to his grandda and pulled him aside so Kendra and her father couldn’t hear him. “He is a wee bit maddened, disremembers, and oft wanders off. She worries for him. Will you look after him whilst he is here, as a favor to me?”
“Of course, lad, of course. I had a comrade once who had the same malady. Poor chap died only a year later when his memory faltered. Worry naught for her father. I will ensure he is kept safe.”
Magnus returned to Kendra. “Lord Graham, this is where you will stay whilst ye are here. There’s plenty of room for ye and your attendant. My grandda will show ye around, too.”
“I shall come and see you on the morrow and make sure…” Kendra said to her father, but he disregarded her and stepped inside the cottage without a farewell. The attendant followed. Kendra’s gaze lowered. She appeared to want to weep at having to leave her da and yet she forced herself to remain strong. A sense of pride hit him when he noticed her strength.
Magnus held out his hand. “Come, let us get ye settled and have some supper before we turn in for the night. I’m sure ye will want to rest after the long journey.” She walked beside him and he sensed she was tense. He would be too if he was going to a new home where he knew no one. With that, he wrapped his arm around her waist and slowed his pace. “I promise ye, sweetheart, my family will come to care for ye. They are loyal to me and all within our clan.”
“I am certain that I shall like them,” she said and kept her eyes lowered.
Her maid and Winston followed but kept a few paces behind.
“Winston, will ye show Mistress…” Magnus had forgotten what her servant’s name was.
“Linet,” Kendra supplied.
“Oh, aye, Mistress Linet where the maidservants stay. There’s a cottage behind the fief where the servants reside. Ye can find a bed there. And Winston, bring our satchels after and put them in my chamber.”
His attendant nodded and motioned to the maid to follow him.
Alone now, at the fief entrance, he opened the door and guided Kendra inside. At the hall’s opening, he noticed his parents at the large trestle table. Supper had just been laid in the center and the scent of pottage wafted to him. He was hungry and looked forward to a good meal.
“Perfect timing. We’ll eat before we settle in our chamber.” Magnus cleared his throat and called to them. “Ma, Da… I would like ye to meet my wife, Kendra.”
“Magnus, lad, ye got married? This is quite a surprise. Is that what the king wanted? Oho, dear lass, welcome. What a lovely woman ye are.” His father stood and extended his hand.
Kendra clasped his father’s hand and smiled.
His mother also stood but she wasn’t as pleased with his news. A solemness remained in her gaze. “Did the king know anything about Ned’s murder?”
“Nay, Mother, the king knew of it, though, and passed on his condolences. Alexander asked me to take this lovely lass’s hand in marriage, amongst other things,” Magnus said, but would wait to explain the other matters the king bade of him.
Kendra bowed. “Milady Cameron.”
“I am Lady Faye. All call me ‘Lady Faye’.” His mother dipped her chin but remained unsmiling.
“Lady Faye, I am pleased to meet you.” Kendra slightly curtseyed to his mother.
Magnus motioned to his father. “This is my da, Laird Stanton.”
“Laird Stanton, it is my pleasure,” Kendra said.
His father shook his head. “Stan will do well enough, lass, for I am not the laird any longer, not since my son recently took over. I’m gladdened for it.”
Magnus chuckled because his grandda had just retorted the same to her.
The door banged and his brother Jake entered. He had a falcon perched on his shoulder and grinned in greeting. “Magnus, ye finally returned.”
“Oh, dear lord, get that vile creature out of here!” His mother shrieked at his brother and frowned. “How many times have I told ye not to bring those foul animals and birds in here?”
The falcon flapped its wings but stayed resting on his brother’s shoulder. “I am not keeping him here but am taking him to Vincent. It has a wounded wing and cannot fly. I will leave right after supper.”
Magnus appreciated his brother’s care of animals and he’d often taken those that needed care or aid to Vincent, a healer of animals and the stable master. Even as a wee lad, his brother brought home anyanimal that he’d found. Usually, his mother forbade him from keeping them inside but if Jake had his way, he’d keep them all. He introduced his brother to Kendra, “And this is Jake, my youngest brother. He has recently become a seasoned soldier within our regiment of men.”
She bowed her head. “Jake.”
“Welcome, Milady. Magnus, it is good to have ye home.” Jake took a trencher and piled on bread, cheese, and pieces of meat he’d probably give to the falcon. “I am going to head to Vincent’s and then the garrison and will stay there this night.” Jake bowed to him and left.