Page 9 of Bride Takes a Laird
Magnus sighed deeply and had no words to rebuff what the king told and asked of him. He wanted to refute the marriage and all the trappings of giving his accord to his king, but he was in no position to do so. The king had his support regardless of what he’d asked of him.
He changed his expression to one of acceptance and jested with Alexander. “Who are these brides? Are they worth accepting or are they hags who ye seek to be rid of?”
Alexander slapped his knee and bellowed a laugh. “You see, I told my chancellor that of the four of you lairds, you, Magnus, were the most agreeable. The brides are from the Forrester, Graham, d’Avranches, and Scott families. They are the most winsome women within the land and rival the queen’s beauty, if such a thing is possible.”
Now the king jested. Though Queen Margaret was somewhat bonny in her body shape, she was dull in her appearance. Definitely not the fairest lass in the land, at least, not in Magnus’s opinion, but he wasn’t about to say so. “When will these marriages take place?” Magnus hoped he had time to return home so he might find his brother’s murderer and perhaps return when he had more time to deal with the king’s request.
“Within the sennight. You will stay here in the castle and a few days hence, we will have a gathering. There will be a feast where you shall meet the lasses and perhaps get to know them before you must choose one of them. The following day, the battles will commenceand the brides chosen. The marriages will take place immediately because I am soon to take my leave of Edinburgh.”
“Ah, the reason for the haste. Ye are leaving Edinburgh, Sire?”
“Aye, for I must. I promised my wife that I would take her to England to see her family. She wishes to have our bairn there.”
Magnus grunted at that. The king didn’t seem pleased at having to visit England. Hell, no one from Scotland wanted to step foot on English soil, let alone visit for a time. He had heard of the king’s disagreements with Henry, the King of England, Margaret’s father, had simmered but there seemed to be peace amongst them. Magnus didn’t envy his sovereign’s inlaw but the king must have settled his troubles with Henry since he was taking his wife for a visit.
“Slàinte, Sire, on the forthcoming birth of your bairn.”
Alexander nodded at his cheers to his news. “Aye, I need an heir and hopefully my wife will do her duty. Now that I have your accord, we should discuss the details further.”
Magnus was no fool; he could tell there was something the king wasn’t telling him. Alexander averted his gaze. “Your war with Norway… How do ye want our involvement?”
The king chuckled. “Well now, I will likely need foot soldiers, many, for Haakon, once he learns of my plan, will send his army to defend his lands. We will need many boots to keep those lands from him. I deem Haakon doesn’t deserve to keep his lands for he is more interested in religious matters than that of his countrymen who are left to their own, way up in the north.”
Magnus heard Haakon had left the mainland and absconded back to Norway. He hadn’t returned and yet his fleet of ships continued to control the northern coastal routes. Magnus hadn’t given his allegiance to Haakon but supported the Scots in recent years. If his king needed his arms, he wouldn’t deny him.
“Aye, I will give you additional men for your cause, but there’s no need for a marriage. ’Tis the truth, Sire, I have no time to attend to awife and only recently became the laird of my clan. I thought to marry someday, but presently, I am more concerned for my clan’s safety and finding out who murdered my brother.”
Alexander stared hard at him. “I understand you have much on your young shoulders, yet who does not? We all have duties but still maintain relations with our wives. Appease me, Cameron, for I want my clans united and the only way to do that is through marriage. You will wed one of the chosen lassies and I shall hear no rebuke. I will have your agreement now.” The king’s tone rose slightly and it was hard to argue with his authority.
Magnus gripped his knees, grimacing deeply at having to concede. “I can do naught but agree then. Of course, I graciously accept your offer, Sire.”
The king shot to his feet. “Good. Then there is much to celebrate. You will not be disappointed, Cameron, with your bride. I promise you that. I will have you taken to a chamber where you can rest from your travels.”
Magnus grunted. Until he sought vengeance for his brother’s death, he would not celebrate his marriage. The woman was nothing but a means to placate his king—nothing more.
Chapter Four
The journey tothe king’s castle finally ended just before the sun sunk low in the sky. Weary from riding in the rain and stopping little to rest wore Kendra out. Her father appeared confused as they approached the castle. Likely, he had forgotten again where they traveled to and why. She leaned to the side and patted his hand in the hope of settling him. Twice on the trek, her father asked where they were going. Kendra repeatedly told him that the king called for their attendance and that she would soon be married.
There seemed to be a good many people at the castle. As she rode through the two towers that flanked the gates, she noticed the many men about and the number of horses that were placed in a makeshift corral near the entrance.
Kendra slid from her horse’s back and stood near her father as he dismounted his horse. John and Linet retrieved their baggage as they waited for someone to come forward. John wouldn’t let her maid carry the heavy baggage and held four satchels whilst Linet held the satchel with the remaining foodstuff and her own.
A man greeted them with a wide smile. “Welcome, welcome. I am our great king’s chamberlain, Edmund.” The robust man smiled. “Come this way and tell me who you be.”
“Good day, Sir. I am Kendra and this is my father, Lord Rupert Graham.” She bowed to him and waited for his direction.
“Mistress Kendra, we are pleased you are finally here. Come, we shall have you taken to a chamber where you can make ready for the night’s festivities. There is no time to dally. No time at all.”
He walked quickly and she followed the man inside the castle. Along the tapestry-covered hallways and lavishly furnished passageways, she kept silent. Her father held on to her arm and now patted her hand in his attempt to soothe her. He always could tell when she was riled. Kendra’s shoulders tensed and her stomach was in a taut knot. Until now, she had avoided the king’s court, although from what she heard, the queen often entertained, much to the king’s disgruntlement. Fortunately, her father rarely visited Edinburgh, Parliament, or the king himself. In recent years, he tended to stay at their manor. In his weakened state, she was gladdened he hadn’t traveled much.
At a chamber, the chamberlain opened the door. “You are fortunate to have arrived in time, Mistress. I was about to send out the sentry to hurry you along, hoping you were on the road here. There is not much time to rest, I am afraid, because the king will soon meet with everyone. He has stated that he will have a private audience with all before the night’s festivity. I shall await here while you ready and then take you to his private room. Make haste.”
“All? Who else is the king meeting with?” she asked becoming confused at the purpose of her wedding.
“Our king is marrying off several of the ladies from Scotland’s border region. Amongst you, there are three others. This night, there will be a feast and you shall meet the other lassies and the men. Now hurry, because no one keeps the king waiting.”
Once the door was closed, she rushed behind a screen and changed out of her damp overdress. Fortunately, she had brought a few of her more acceptable gowns. Linet handed her a gown and asked John to help her father get ready. Kendra took little time to change and wash. Her hair was a mess and there was nothing she could do about it except pull half of it back and tie it with a ribbon.