The Guardian by Diana Knightley
Sixty-eight - Kaitlyn
Magnus directed us to follow him from the ballroom. The other guests bowed as he walked by, parting to give him a path as we followed along, his face stoic and furious, to the elevator and up a floor and down the hall and into his office.
No sooner had the door closed behind us, when he rounded on Lady Mairead, “Explain this tae me!”
“Ye hae allowed Agnie MacLeod’s child, Fraoch, intae yer inner circle! He has a claim tae yer throne, now ye hae another child of a time traveler here, do ye ken if she has a claim tae yer throne? Nae? Agnie MacLeod has another son, Domnall, are ye going tae allow him tae live here as well? Perhaps ye can train him so when he fights ye for the throne ye will be well matched.”
Fraoch growled. “I am nae fightin’ Og Maggy for the throne.”
“Yet.”
She huffed and then said, “Ye canna trust her!”
Magnus said, “Sophie has been married tae James for almost a year, I daena think we hae any reason nae tae trust her. She daena ken who her parentage is, how can she hae a claim tae a throne she has never heard of before?”
“You had never heard of your throne when ye were born!”
“Daena be ridiculous, ye told me I was meant tae be a king from the moment I could speak.” Magnus glanced at Fraoch, then asked, “Tis true that Agnie MacLeod has another son?”
“Aye, and I want tae go on the record as saying, ye will trust everyone in the world tae yer disadvantage.”
“Says the woman who signed a contract with that evil man Sir Padraig.”
“Agnie Macleod is just as bad. She was there, was she nae, Kaitlyn — working with Sir Padraig?”
I said, “Yeah, she was there, she is pretty awful.”
“Your enemies are like cuckoo birds, Magnus, now ye hae allowed one of yer enemy’s bairn intae yer nest, they will begin tae peck and kill yer own—”
Magnus said, “Och, ye are crossin’ a line, Lady Mairead, ye are crossin’ it verra fast.”
“Tis what is at stake here, Magnus! Agnie hates me, she will do anything tae win, includin’ finding yer weakness and insinuatin’ her children intae yer family.”
Magnus said, “Fraoch, hae ye ever had any dealings with Agnie MacLeod?”
“Nae, she haena insinuated me anywhere.”
Magnus asked, “If ye came upon this man… what did ye say her son’s name was?”
Lady Mairead said, “Domnall MacLeod.”
“Fraoch, if ye came across Domnall and he was tryin’ tae harm me or m’bairns, would ye take my side in it?”
“Och aye, ye are m’brother, Og Maggy, I would take yer side, yer son is m’nephew.”
Magnus said, “I think ye are forgettin’, Lady Mairead, that just because someone is a son daena mean he will take his mother’s side. Ye should ken this.”
Lady Mairead gave an exasperated huff. “I am nae speaking on Fraoch any longer, he has been a friend tae the family. I believe he has proven himself. I am telling ye tae be cautious. Ye hae invited in this Sophie without properly vetting—”
Magnus asked, “Master James, dost ye trust yer wife?”
James’s jaw line was clenched, his face red, he looked to be holding back his anger. “Of course I do and she has never had any dealings with her birth family, whoever they are.”
“Och, there are many people who want naething more than tae take this throne.” She breathed out. “Can we sit down, we must hae more wine, we must relax. Ye are a king. I am your regent. Ye hae your officers around ye, yer family and friends, let us sit and have a drink.”