Fraoch said, “But what of the feast? I was promised a feast.”
Chef Zach said, “One minute ago!”
“I was already looking forward tae it.”
Ash said, “I brought peaches and flour to make some peach pies.”
Fraoch said, “Tis official, I hae forgiven Lochinvar for everything.”
Chef Zach asked, “You ever made peach pies in a medieval kitchen before?”
Ash shook her head.
He said, “Me neither, I haven’t figured out how the hell the kitchen works yet?—”
Magnus said, “Ye daena hae tae cook here, Chef Zach, but I would appreciate if ye oversaw the work. Just give the ingredients tae the cook, tell him what ye want.”
Chef Zach said, “Have you met me, Magnus? That seems unlikely.”
Magnus laughed.
The castle was in front of us, our path inclined as we rode up the hill. Sean emerged from the gates tae welcome us.
I asked Magnus as we rode through the gates. “Has there been a room set aside for us?”
Magnus said, “Aye, I will hae ye shewn tae?—”
“Ash needs the room, I will sleep in the barracks for the night.”
Magnus said, “Och, I see, Lochie, aye.”
CHAPTER 23 - MAGNUS
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 18, 1291
Lochinvar said goodnight tae Ash at the stair. She was led up tae her room by a maid and he stood watchin’ her go.
Fraoch, Sean, and I were standing nearby. Sean said, “I think the lad is tormented. What happened?”
Fraoch said, “Aye, fully tormented — I think she has denied him until he marries her.”
Sean shook his head. “Och, the lad called her his wife and here he stands corrected. I suspect tis the work of Lizbeth, for the first time I feel sorry for him.”
Lochinvar returned tae where we stood. “Dost ye think Ash will be well? Ought I go up and see that her room is comfortable enough?”
Fraoch said, “Og Lochie, twill be fine, but explain what has happened — ye arna invited tae her room, she has refused ye?”
“Aye, we must be married first.”
Fraoch chuckled. “She dinna think yer thumb oath was enough? Ye assured me ye were married and she believed it as well.”
“The ladies Lizbeth, Beaty, and Sophie dinna think twas enough, they told her tae refuse me until I married her in front of ye.”
Sean looked amused. “Iknewtwas Lizbeth’s doin’.”
Lochinvar said, “That is why we came afore I thought of doin’ anything else. Tis why I forgot tae get the weapons, because I hae not slept in days, sittin’ guardin’ her door every night since.”
Fraoch bit his lip to hold back a smile. “She is torturin’ ye, by the looks of it.”
