Hayley said, “He’s crazy famous, you’re kidding right? Mags! You’re related to Finch Mac!”
I said, “Last I heard I was a king in two centuries, but I am supposed tae be impressed that he sings some songs? Maybe he ought tae be impressed tae be related tae a king.”
I asked Lady Mairead, “And speaking of relations, how many are on yer list of sons and cousins, as of now?”
She said, “There are a great many. Ye daena need tae worry on them much. Only the ones who want tae challenge ye are necessary. Fraoch dinna want tae challenge ye, so we dinna need tae worry about him, he is inconsequential.”
I glanced at Fraoch, he looked bemused. Hayley looked furious.
Lady Mairead continued, “Donnan never evenmetwith Fraoch when he was of age, did he?”
Fraoch shook his head. “I consider m’self lucky.”
She said, “Well, he dinna intend for ye tae hae the throne, so aye, ye were lucky that ye dinna hae tae fight Magnus.” She looked down at the pages of her book. “I have a notation beside each name, marking who I believe are the more consequential sons. Finch Mac’s mother was visited by Donnan more than once. Promises were made tae her. Donnan met him on more than one occasion when he was verra young. Donnan dinna ask for him tae train with a sword though, but he might hae given him gifts or asked him tae hold things for him in safekeeping.”
Hayley said, “It’s worth a shot. Emma and I will research Finch Mac and try to make contact.”
Emma sat on the floor and opened her laptop on the coffee table. “Finch Mac will be hard to get in touch with, but…” She went quiet, while her fingers worked on the keyboard. “He’s recently married into a local family…”
Lady Mairead said, “Aye, Finch Mac is listed in m’book as living in Maine.”
Emma did some searching and then said tae Hayley, “Look up his tour, he’s on tour, while I look up this family — his in-laws.”
Hayley and Emma were quiet while they investigated.
I said, “Chef Zach, dost ye hae anything more tae eat? I am famished.”
He jumped up for some more food.
Emma said, “He’s on a big tour, we might be able to get in touch with his manager.” Then she said, “Wait! Check this out, his father-in-law wrote a book about the Earl of Breadalbane!”
Lady Mairead said, “About m’brother? Who onearthwould want tae ken about m’brother? He is naething but a sniveling fool.” She took a deep breath. “Dost ye hear it Magnus? Someone thought tae write a book about yer uncle.”
“I canna believe it, he never did anything that was worth tellin’ the story.”
Lady Mairead said, “Ifanythinghe was a hindrance tae a good story. Nae nae, it is ridiculous, ye must hae read it wrong, Madame Emma, ye canna believe everything written down on the internet.”
Emma said solemnly, “I completely agree. They should tell your story, Lady Mairead— Picasso, that guy in London…”
I saw Hammond fluster.
Lady Mairead said, “Aye, tae tell my story would be verra interesting, but who would read a story of the sister of an earl, the mother of a king? Though I do think, at a small press, it might have a few readers. Thank ye, Madame Emma, for the suggestion.”
Emma said, “Whoa, look at this, this is Finch Mac’s father-in-law.” She turned the laptop tae show us a photo of the historian, holdin’ a broadsword, beside a desk. We all peered at the photo.
I said, “Ye ken, it looks as if there is a crest there on the sword, do ye see?”
Lady Mairead said, “It is difficult tae decipher, but it does look a bit like Donnan’s.” Then she excitedly tapped the screen, “There! Behind him! See it? That’s the chest! The Bridge is right there.”
I scrutinized the photo. “It does look much like the one we had at the cave in Kilchurn.”
“It is it, I ken it, we hae tae go retrieve it from him.”
Emma grinned. “Okay, I’m going to call this guy, try to set up an appointment, who wants to go?”
Hayley said, “Fraoch and I will go.”
Lady Mairead said, “I will go with them… I speak tae historians and art collectors all the time.”
