He said, “Aye, I agree.”
I raised my head. “You agree, just like that?”
“Just like that, tis a good idea.” He rolled back on me, kissed my lips, and said, “Let’s dress for the meal.”
CHAPTER 29 - KAITLYN
THE WEDDING FEAST IN THE GREAT HALL, STIRLING CASTLE - JUNE 18, 1291
Lochinvar and Ash came down for the feast. They looked flushed with excitement, blushing about what they had been up to, and deeply in love, as honeymooners should. The feast was grand, and then we had peach pies. Two.
Chef Zach lamented, “I worked on them for hours, it’s like baking while camping. Not easy. Followed your recipe though, they look delicious.”
Ash blushed, “I’m sure they’re perfect. I’m glad you were able to bake them, I promised Lochinvar but we were um... napping.”
Hayley laughed.
Lochinvar kissed Ash’s cheek and rubbed his hands together excitedly.
Chef Zach handed Ash the knife, and as she sliced the pie, Lochinvar looked delighted. She served him a piece first, a bit of cream poured beside it, and he had the look on his face of someone whose dreams had come true.
I glanced at Magnus and Fraoch, who were beaming proudly on their younger brother.
Ash took a piece and then Chef Zach cut the rest and passed them out, performing his magic trick of somehow getting theperfect amount of slices out of the pies so that everyone had one, even a teensy bit for Jack.
Cailean loved it, he said, “I hae never tasted such fruit, Mag Mòr, tis wondrously sweet.”
We all ate. I said, “Ash, I am very glad you’re in the family now, we needed a dedicated pie baker.”
Chef Zach said, “I am not going to argue on that.”
Magnus pushed back his chair and raised his mug.
Fraoch said, “Och nae, here we go again with the auld man givin’ a toast.”
Magnus said, “Put up yer mug, stop bellyachin’.” We all raised our mugs.
Magnus said, “Lochinvar, I see ye are verra pleased with yer match and I want ye tae ken we are verra proud of ye — May ye both be bless’d with the fortitude of heaven, the full bright shine and heat of the dawnin’ sun, the guidance of stars, and the leading glow of the waxin’ moon. May ye hae the magnificence of a fire warm in yer hearth, the pleasure of a cool breeze, a firm ground, and a strong foundation for yer home. May yer joys be as sweet as the blossoms in spring and as radiant as the summer heat. May the shower of autumn leaves bring ye faith and fortune, and may yer love be resilient amidst the long winter nights.”
We all said, “Slàinte!”
Fraoch said, “Twas lovely as always and especially because twas short.”
Magnus laughed as he sat down.
Fraoch said, “... and I agree with every word of it, except he dinna say a word about providin’ for yer wife, so I will add, ‘May ye hae the good fortune of a fish on yer line at the end of every day.”
We all raised our glasses and said, “Hear hear!”
Chef Zach raised his glass. “May your larder be full with cookies, your house filled with the scent of them.”
The kids all cheered.
Sean raised his mug. “May yer halls ring with the voices of yer sons.”
We said, “Slàinte!”
Isla said, “And daughters!”
