Page 71 of Bride Takes a Laird
“I cannot believe Aston returned because I thought him long dead. Well, I am pleased that the Grahams will have their lord looking after them now. As to our children, I thought to name him Hugh after your grandfather and her Catherine after my mother. What think you of that?”
Magnus bent toward her and kissed her lips. “That is most pleasing, Kendra. My grandfather will be honored as would your mother. This pleases me greatly. Aye, Hugh, my wee lad, and Catherine, a great beauty like her mother—my children. I am the most blessed father.”
“My thanks, Magnus, for coming to me. I am happy that you are here and that you love me. It is all that I hoped for.” Kendra couldn’t hold back her smile. Happiness filled her. Not only did Magnus come to her, but she had two beautiful babies to love, and a clan—the Camerons, a family that would endure hardships together like a family should.
He smiled and gave her another kiss. “There is no one I love more or anywhere else I would rather be than here with ye.”
Epilogue
Eilean nan Craobh, Cameron Holding
Highlands, Scotland
Late April 1261
As the clanreadied for another Bealtuinn Festival, Magnus happily directed the men to gather the seven sacred woods for the bonfires. A group of others collected the boughs for the doors and windows of the maidens within the clan. On the morrow, the great fire would send its blessings amongst the people and all would rejoice at the prospect of new life, a new growing season, and new beginnings. He looked forward to sharing a drink with his soldiers at the stone. With vengeance behind him, he would offer up his gratitude to the Goddess Flora for the unbelievable blessings he’d received.
Magnus sat upon the grassy land before the training field and watched Wyren train the soldiers. His brother regaled him with the tale of how Hale had finally slept through the night. He now understood what his brother had gone through because both he and Kendra were awakened throughout the night to tend to their bairns for many months.
Jake stood amid a group of fledglings, all of whom stared and appeared engrossed by what his brother was saying to them. His brother was apt at teaching the younger lads how to wield their swords, but even more than that, what honor and dedication meant to their clan.
Magnus held his bairn, Hugh, in the crook of his arm and wascontent to do nothing but watch the melee. Sigge, his faithful hound, lay beside him with his legs stretched out and his tail thumping the newly grown sprouts of grass. Magnus stroked his head contentedly.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Kendra standing beyond him. She held their daughter. His wife had a way of tracking him down. Now she sat on the grass next to him and smiled. For a moment, he stared at her, taking in her beauty and the way her long blond tresses fell over her shoulders. Her blue eyes shone with love.
“Here you are. I thought you might have gone to visit your grandfather but one of the soldiers told me that you were here.”
He grinned knowing Kendra kept abreast of where he was throughout the day. She still was wary about him leaving the keep without telling her. But he’d promised that he would never leave again without letting her know. Soon, she’d gain trust in that.
“Aye, I visited my grandda earlier. Our lad Hugh wanted to see the men tarry so we stopped for a short rest. I was just about to return to the keep. Ye look bonny this day, wearing my grandmother’s brooch on your tartan.”
Kendra beamed at his admiration, bumped her shoulder to his, and smiled. “I am gladdened you returned it to me.” She paused, tilting her face toward the sun, and she sighed. “’Tis a beautiful day to be outside.”
“Aye. ’Tis beautiful.” He didn’t look away but enjoyed the view of his lovely wife.
She continued, unaware of his rapt stare. “I received a missive from the queen. She and King Alexander returned to England with their daughter Margaret. We shall likely have a visit from them soon. She promised to visit us upon her return from England.”
“I recall her saying that. Aye, well then, we should prepare the keep for their visit. They’ll probably bring a good amount of followers with them. Do you think they’ll betroth their lass right away or wait until she gets older?”
Kendra drew in an awed breath but then giggled. “I should warn Ellen to prepare and hoard as much foodstuff as possible so we are ready when they come. The king has probably already betrothed his daughter. I’m gladdened our children will not be political pawns. They won’t be, will they?”
He shook his head. “Nay, not if ye don’t want them to be. I hope that Alexander considers one of Haakon’s sons for his daughter. It might very well be the thing to bring peace to the north—their marriage. Then we will not need to supply men for the war Alexander intends to start.” Magnus had given thought to such matters, but if Alexander called them forth for war with Norway, he had no choice but to supply his king with soldiers.
“That would be good tidings. I fear the day you receive a missive from Alexander calling all to arms. Speaking of war… Do you think the Chattans will leave us be now that you dismantled their wall?”
Magnus grunted. “So far they have kept to their land and the sentry reports the Chattans have not rebuilt the wall. Now that spring is here, I suspect the Chattans will crawl out from under their rocks. We shall endeavor to keep the peace but Wyren says that we are more than ready to face any threat should we need to war with them.”
“You will tell me if that happens?”
He nodded and hoped to avert war. With his life finally settled, the last thing Magnus wanted was to hail off to fight with the Chattans. He had too much to lose now. His lovely wife and sweet bairns needed him—a duty that he was more than willing to give himself to.
She pulled a missive from the seam of her overdress. “I also received a message from Linet. The news is disheartening.”
“And what does your good friend say?” Magnus moved Hugh to his lap and gently caressed the babe’s back.
“I am dismayed, Magnus, for she says that Aston sold our manor to an English knight for a paltry sum. He’s gone and left the Grahams to fend for themselves. I should have known he’d do something sodreadful. Aston is not the lad that I remembered from my youth for he is selfish and cares not about our people.”
He bumped her shoulder with his. “Ye cannot fret about it, sweetheart. It was his to part with and he hasn’t lived there in many a year. With ye and your da gone, he probably feels no connection to the land. Linet and John are welcome to come here if they are in need of a home.”