“Nae, not yet.”
“I see Mortimer against the far wall, dear me he is dreadful, if he comes over you must rescue me…” The gardens were crowded, and many more were still arriving.
My eyes swept the crowd and landed on —och.
Twas Agnie MacLeod. She was in conversation with Marjorie Gleason and yet, she raised her eyes and met mine. Her brow raised, a bit of a malicious smile tugged at the edge of her lips, and her gaze was so direct it sent a chill over my heart.
My hands shook. She was here.What did this mean?
We had been locked in conflict for so long, I had believed that we had come tae an agreement — the world had been split and we never crossed paths, yet here she was, at my party? I found it infuriating.
The last thing that needed tae happen was a scene, but she was headed toward me across the party.
My son had killed her sons, I guessed she was not there for pleasant reasons.
CHAPTER 85 - KAITLYN
We all but fell from the van all over the sidewalk and everyone gaped around at the skyline, the park across the street, the crowds of people bustling by, the traffic. Beaty stood on the sidewalk with Haggis and Mookie on leashes, staring up at the sky saying, “What in the world, Quennie, dost ye see it?”
“I do see it, I just drove into the middle of it with a van carrying my wife, a pig, a dog, four kids, a bunch of other people, and a king, like a goddamn insane person.”
Magnus said, “More importantly though, Colonel Quentin, here is a house, and tis mine.”
Quentin said, “How about I believe it when they let you in the front door.”
Magnus said, “I will go up tae speak tae the butler for a moment, I will return in a moment.”
“And who is the butler?”
“What year is it?” Magnus jogged up the steps.
We were quite the spectacle, all of us in our sweatsuits and t-shirts, desperately needing a shopping trip, surrounded by kids and animals, staring up at the mansion as Magnus disappeared into it. Emma said, “He probably could have called.”
I said, “Yep, it’s not his way to even think about it.”
Hayley said, “Instead he just drops in unannounced.”
A few moments later Magnus waved us all up.
“How the hell did he prove he lives here? They know him?” I muttered, going up the stairs. “I haven’t even been here before.”
As we passed, the butler did his best to pretend like none of us were bringing a pig into the house. I whispered to Magnus, “When have you been here?”
He said, “I haena ever seen it afore, but Helms, the butler, is from m’kingdom. Daena tell Quentin, I am havin’ fun with him.”
We were invited to sit, but instead we sprawled all over the sitting room, which was opulent, full of antiques and the walls covered in art. It looked like a Victorian palace and because I knew Lady Mairead had decorated it, I knew it was all authentic and priceless.
The kids raced around like little uncivilized monsters, but it was hard to blame them as they had been cooped up in the van for hours. Besides, Magnus said it was okay and it was his house.
He collapsed on the couch beside me. “What dost ye think, mo reul-iuil. Lady Mairead likes a grand house.”
“That she does. It’s epic. Not sure we should be in here with a pig and a medieval dog.”
Haggis jumped up beside us on the couch and dropped down on the cushion.
Magnus laughed, “Och aye, m’mother wouldlovea medieval dog on her settee.”
He added, “That reminds me, we ought tae check the safe, tae see if she has left us a message.” He went up the stairs, returning a bit later, looking distracted.
