Page 34 of Bride Takes a Laird
Kendra took a thin slice of bread and smeared it with a fruit spread. “Do you not see them now that you are married?”
“Oh, nay, and I haven’t seen them since my marriage. The Camerons do not allow visitors and I do not have permission to leave the walls to visit my family even though they don’t live too far away.”
“That is disheartening, Marny. Perhaps in time, we can change that.”
Marny scoffed. “There is no changing my husband’s mind or the laird’s. Wyren is commander and his foremost skill is protection. He will never allow me to leave the land unless he is there to protect me, and even then, he would be too cautious to take me so far from our keep.”
Kendra patted the table and nodded. “Then that is what we shall do. We’ll get him to accompany you for a visit to your family.”
Marny chortled lightly. “Wyren would never agree but I am nottoo distressed by it and do not miss my family overly. ’Tis the truth, it is kind of good having a wee bit of peace except for Hale’s wails. And now, I have you to talk to.”
Kendra smiled slightly. “Now that we’re alone, can you tell me why Magnus is so…serious? He rarely smiles or seeks pleasure, and by that, I mean doing what he wants and not what is expected of him. He said his sole existence was his duty to his clan.”
Her newfound friend shrugged her shoulders. “I have not spoken much to Magnus but from what I understand, he was born to lead the clan. He was raised for the position of laird by the elders so aye, perhaps his existence is only that—duty.” Marny leaned closer and spoke low, “Wyren, my husband, was raised to lead the soldiers, that left Ned and Jake. Magnus and Wyren were held to strict daily regimens, whereas the two latter brothers were left to their own. I fear they became less important and probably realized their insignificance.”
“Which means they were not held to account for their actions as the two elder brothers were?”
“Rightly so. And ’tis rumored that Lady Faye spoiled her two younger sons. Ned was, from what I heard, hard to get along with. He thought nothing of shouting at you when he didn’t get his way, as if he was a child.”
Kendra was surprised to hear that because from what she’d heard since her arrival, all held Ned with esteem. That didn’t seem to be the case. “And Jake, what of him?”
“Everyone taunted him. He was mocked and teased as a lad until he grew. Once he surpassed most in height, the teasing ceased. He now spends most of his time testing his sword. He is most serious about being the best warrior amongst the Camerons.”
“Jake has given himself a goal to achieve like his brothers.” Kendra pressed her hand on her heart, distressed to learn of Magnus’s brothers’ lives and his. From appearances, the Camerons seemed to be a caring family and devoted to each other. But from an insider’s view,there was discord aplenty.
“My thanks, Marny, for sharing that with me. I think my husband is saddened by Ned’s death and he mourns his brother.”
Marny shook her head. “Not sad, Kendra, but honor-bound. He holds himself accountable for his brother’s death and seeks to avenge him. Until he does, he will not receive his mother’s forgiveness, and possibly not even then, because Lady Faye does not forgive easily.”
Kendra folded her hands and considered what Marny had told her. Would Magnus care if his mother forgave him or not? Regardless, she had a hefty problem on her hands since she’d taken an oath to bring him happiness. How in God’s good grace could she achieve that?
Before she left the hall, Kendra posed one last question to Marny. “Is there someone about whom I can trust to help me with a situation? One of the soldiers, perhaps?”
“What do ye need?” Marny bobbed Hale on her knee now and kept him from crying.
She quickly explained how she wanted to help Magnus with the manuscripts, but that it had to be kept secret. “I need someone to get me the count of the livestock and stores.”
“Oh, I am certain Winston would help ye. He is the laird’s manservant and is often about. I deem he might be honored if ye were to ask him.”
“My thanks, I shall speak with him. I want to get outside and perhaps take a walk and visit my father before I return to my chamber.” Kendra rounded the table and pressed a hand on baby Hale’s head. “I wish you luck in getting him to nap this afternoon.”
Marny chuckled. “I shall need it.”
Kendra left her and stepped outside. She found Winston standing on the step and almost bumped into him. He held out his hands to keep her from falling down the step but hastily removed them.
“I…I apologize, Milady, for touching ye. I…shouldn’t have…” Winston’s face brightened with shame. He stepped aside to allow her to pass.
“Good day, Winston, I appreciate your protection. Will you walk with me? There is something I wish to speak with you about. It is rather private.”
The strapping young soldier nodded. “Aye, Milady, if ye wish me to. The laird asked me to stay close to ye whilst…” his words trailed off as she watched him expectantly. “Ah, what I meant to say is that he asked me to keep ye safe when he is not within the keep.”
She smiled to appease him, but his words concerned her. “So he has left the walls? Is there a reason why I need to be kept safe?”
Winston shook his head, his dark locks disordered from behind his ears. “Nay, of course not, Milady. The laird only means to keep ye safe and as your husband, he deems to do so.”
“I need your favor…” Kendra walked beside the soldier and quickly explained what she wanted him to do. “You see, I wish to surprise Magnus, and I don’t want him to know what I am doing until it is done. Can you handle this task for me?”
“I cannot go against the laird, Milady. What ye ask of me goes beyond my duties to him. My laird might deem it as disloyal.”