The Guardian by Diana Knightley
Sixty-six - Kaitlyn
Magnus raised his hand and circled his finger around drawing the attention of our friends. He strode out into the middle of the ballroom as the band clanged and crashed to a trailing stop. Dancers stepped out of his way. He raised an arm with the other hand on his hip and his foot crossed over the other.
The conductor asked, “What song, Your Highness?”
“A Scottish jig.” To the men he said, “Take yer places, the Queen has asked us tae dance.”
Fraoch, Quentin, Zach, James, and Hammond and a few of the other men all gathered around Magnus and got into the same position.
The music began.
The men danced, jumping on one foot, kicking the other and spinning. It was almost in unison, but more from ‘trying’ than ‘practicing’. The overall effect of them turning and kicking and laughing and watching each other for what to do next was very comical. Only Fraoch and Magnus were able to do it well, so slowly the other men left the floor and joined us to clap and cheer, leaving the two Scottish Highlanders dancing in the middle of the floor, and when they were done and all came back to where we were standing, I said, “Well that was not boring.”
He grinned and said, “Aye, what say ye Fraoch, twas a braw dance?”
“Aye, we shewed the men how tae truly be manly.”
Hayley kissed him happily.
Magnus said, “Tis good tae be released from the hellish hospital.”
Quentin laughed, “You really don’t like that place do you?”
“Hae ye been in one, Colonel Quentin? They daena feed ye well, they are always poking and prodding ye, tellin’ ye tae sleep when ye daena want tae, and wakin’ ye up tae see if ye are comfortable. And then when ye tell them tae leave ye alone a’ready they winna let ye decide it — they hae tae tell ye when ye are well.” He scowled. “Tis nae my taste.”
I said, “They did fix your heart and you are dancing and healthy. I think you ought to be grateful.”
He said, “Och, I am verra grateful but it daena mean I hae tae like it.”
He and Fraoch raised their glasses. Fraoch said, “Tae the hospital, the worst place in the world, but I am grateful for it.”
A round of drinks was delivered. Quentin and Beaty danced, and then after a look from Emma, Zach led her out to join them on the dance floor.
Magnus asked, “Would ye like tae dance?”
“No, I do usually, but this time, James standing nearby all sad, you, having already danced the greatest dance I ever witnessed in my life, no. I am content standing beside you looking dignified.” Just then Quentin and Beaty spun by, sort of waltzing, kind of line dancing, wiggling their hips. Quentin made a goofy face.
I continued, “Nodding and smiling as your subjects spin elegantly by.”
James said, “Uh oh.”
We followed his eyes to the ballroom doors where Lady Mairead dressed in an elegant black ball gown strode into the room and then stood appraising the scene.
Hammond passed us, heading to her side.
Magnus said, “Tis always fun and games until m’mother arrives.”
I held my glass to my face to hide my laughter.