Page 60 of Kilted Abduction
“And why is that? What has ye in such a somber mood then, eh?”
“I’m nae in a somber mood.”
Ciara laughed. “Are ye really goin’ tae sit here and just say ye’re nae whatever I say ye are?”
“Probably.”
She laughed softly as she picked at the roasted mutton on her plate and popped a small piece into her mouth then tore off a piece of bread, dipped it in the brown gravy and ate that as well. All the while, she tried to think of a way to help break Magnus out of his mood. Tried to think of a way to make him laugh.
“Come, tell me what’s on yer mind,” she said.
“Nothin’,” he replied. “I’m just tryin’ tae eat me meal in peace.”
“Oh, and am I disturbin’ yer peace then?”
Magnus’ expression softened. “Nay. Ye’re nae disturbin’ me peace. I’m sorry.”
“Ye just seem so glum. Talk tae me. I’ve been told I’m a good listener.”
He shrugged and let out a sigh as he dipped a piece of bread into the gravy on his plate then ate it. As he chewed, a thoughtful expression crossed his face. Magnus raised his cup and took a swallow of his wine, then gently set it back down.
“I’ve just got a feelin’ that somethin’ bad is comin’ our way,” he said.
“Are ye talkin’ about the storm?’
He shook his head. “Nay. Nae the storm.”
“Ye’re talkin’ about Fairfax then.”
He nodded. “Aye. I’m talkin’ about Fairfax. We’ve heard nothin’ from our scouts.”
“Shouldnae that be good news then?”
“Should be. But I dinnae think it is. I’ve got a feelin’ he’s on the move but he’s somehow managin’ tae keep it quiet.”
“I’m nae trained in the art of war, but wouldnae an army on the move attract attention?”
“Aye. If he’s movin’ an army. Ye were tellin’ it true when ye said ye were runnin’ from yer faither and Fairfax. And kennin’ what we ken about the man, he’s nae one who’s goin’ tae take that lightly. He sees ye as his property and probably the key tae gettin’ what he really wants.”
“And what is it he really wants?’
“Control. He wants control of yer family’s lands and probably all of Scotland,” he replied. “God kens he’s been tryin’ tae kill off as many Scots as he can. He willnae be happy until he’s either killed or enslaved us all.”
Ciara frowned. She hadn’t expected the conversation to take such a dark turn, but she had asked him to talk to her, so she couldn’t complain that it had. At least he was opening up to her in ways he normally didn’t. Perhaps getting him to talk to her, even about such dark matters, was the gateway that would lead to conversations that were lighter and more fun.
However, the fact that he was sitting at the end of the table with such dark, serious thoughts racing through his mind while the rest of his siblings were laughing and having a good time only underscored the enormous weight of responsibility Magnus felt for his family.
“Maybe it would be best if I left,” Ciara offered once more. “If I’m nae here?—”
“Willnae matter, like I told ye before,” Magnus said. “Fairfax has had his eye on our lands for a very long time. He’ll come for us whether ye’re here or nae. Ye’re safer here. Especially with that storm comin’ our way.”
Ciara turned to see Kai flirting with one of the serving women. She blushed and giggled as he whispered in her ear.
“Yer braither is quite the rake,” she said.
“He tries,” Magnus replied then called. “I’m nae interested in her sister, Kai,” he turned to speak to his brother just as he was approaching saying “Hey, Magnus, Shona here has a sister?—”
Kai bit off his words and frowned, then turned back to Shona and spoke quietly with her. Ciara turned to Magnus though, her head cocked, a curious expression on her face.
