I planned tae leave for Florida, and after some time there I would return with Kaitlyn. I wouldna be gone long, but there was nae way tae communicate with m’kingdom. Creatin’ a government that would proceed in m’absence had been my aim.
The only issue I hadna solved was Bella’s obstinance. She had her own estate and we had long ago decided nae tae speak tae each other. It had been easy because I was oft away at the battlefront.
She seemed tae believe that if I would just acquiesce, she could be the queen.
I refused her so we were at an impasse.
I hadna gotten to see Archie much with the pressing needs of the war. I had lived away from court and he was verra young. Twas difficult tae see him, and I couldna bring him tae me on the front lines.
From afar I had tae watch him as he began tae walk and then talk. I wanted sole custody, but I was away fighting, and I kent a battle with Bella about Archie would cause many difficulties.
I wanted Archie tae have his mother. The trouble was, Bella wanted tae live a life of parties and wild excesses. I believed in the beginnin’ that she was doin’ it tae make me jealous, but as I dinna care she did it more and more. Twas nae about me at all, nor about Archie, twas only about Bella — her only thought.
When I was returned from war, m’heart was heavy with worry for him. I dinna ken if she had always been like this, or was now neglectin’ him tae spite me. She was off travelin’ and partyin’ for weeks on end.
Security kept me informed. Bella’s household staff was carin’ for him. We argued about it. I told her she was nae tae leave him anymore, and she reformed for a couple of weeks. But then I was told she was away again, and there was naethin’ tae be done as I was meeting with Hammond and fighting a war.
When Lady Mairead arrived over dinner one evenin’ I brought up the subject of Bella. “She is neglectin’ Archie.”
Lady Mairead folded her napkin, finished with her meal. “Tis nae matter in it, Magnus, he will become a strong independent man, like his father. The more important matter is that her behavior is embarrassing tae the crown.”
“I agree tis embarrassin’.”
“I will set up a meetin’ tae discuss it on the morrow. Will ye be able tae attend?”
“Aye.”
Bella curtly nodded when I sat down across from her at the long conference table in Lady Mairead’s office. Twas Lady Mairead’s favorite way tae conduct business, pacin’ around a long table, sneakin’ up behind ye unawares, and threatenin’ ye from behind yer chair.
The video images along the wall shewed Bella dancin’ at a party the night afore with many different men. Lady Mairead asked, “What of this news? Do ye hear what they are sayin’ on ye, Bella?”
Bella tossed her hair. “I do not pay attention to them.”
The images on the wall shifted tae one where Bella was at another party with another man. “You should. You should have more wisdom about your conduct. You haena helped Magnus in ruling his kingdom—”
“Why should I? I am not the queen.”
Lady Mairead turned tae me, “Has it caused ye trouble and worry tae have a mistress that is so poorly behaved? She is traipsing around the city without care while ye have been at war, barely attending tae her son — has it caused ye trouble, Magnus?”
“Aye.”
“And how does it look tae the people of the kingdom tae have ye behaving like a harlot while we are at war? Has Magnus spoken tae ye on the matter, Bella?”
“Yes, he has, but...” She shook her head and changed her expression tae one of indignation. “I should have taken Roderick’s side when I had the chance.”
I worried Lady Mairead would have a fallin’ down fit there on the table.
She stood, leaned over the desk top, her voice menacing. “I want ye tae understand this. King Magnus has complaints on your conduct. I have argued with him in your favor, but I hae seen the headlines, I ken ye have nae performed your duties as the heir’s mother. I am shocked. I believed ye tae be clever. Is your son the heir tae the throne?”
“Yes.”
“You are enjoying the king’s generosity, his wealth and power. Have ye been performing your duties?”
Bella batted her eyes. “I offered to take him to bed, but he is content with his prostitutes I suppose.”
“King Magnus daena keep prostitutes. You ken this is true. If ye attempt tae ruin his good name I will have your allowance removed and your household dissolved. Do ye understand me?”
“Yes, fine.”
“Magnus is going away for a time. I will be in charge. What is on your schedule for the next week?”
“The Westlands Film Festival begins in two days, I have plans to attend.”
“Nae, I hae events tae organize. I need ye tae help me host and plan a party tae announce I am the Queen Mother and will be ruling on Magnus’s behalf while he is away. You will have tae clear your calendar. The castle has been rebuilt and Archie must have his photo taken. He will need tae be outfitted for the festivities.”
“But I have plans tae be at the Channing After Party at the Nebula.”
Lady Mairead looked furious. “You will have tae cancel your plans! As the mother of the prince ye hae responsibilities. You have duties tae perform that repay King Magnus for his care and attention tae your safekeeping.”
“Magnus could make me the queen. He does not do anything for me—”
Lady Mairead threw her hands in the air. “King Magnus has been living here, fighting a war, ruling his kingdom for years without bringing his wife tae support him. If ye had been smart, ye would have been a help tae him politically — yet ye have chosen instead tae be a beggar, a waste of his time, and an extra burden on his shoulders. I expected better of ye, but there ye have it. You arna necessary except for the duties that come tae ye from being Archie’s mother. In exchange ye will continue tae have the estate, the security staff, the cars, and you may continue with your parties if ye accomplish your duties first. I recommend ye perform them without complaint. Magnus has a patience that I daena and I am in charge while he is away.”
Bella stood. “Can I be excused?”
“Of course, I will see ye in the morn for our plannin’ meeting.”
Bella swept from the room and Lady Mairead sat stiffly in a chair. She inhaled deeply with a scowl. “She is a verra irritating woman.”
I said, “I find it interesting that your biggest problem with her haena been the threats against me, but that she haena fulfilled her duties tae the crown.”
She said, “I take m’duties verra seriously, Magnus, and ye do as well. You have lived here for how long, alone, fighting a war?”
“A couple of years or more, I forget on it.”
“Roderick is still out there.”
“Aye, and there are other men as well, some I haena even heard of yet. I daena think ye should talk tae her so threateningly. I am worried what she might do, who she might align herself with.”
Lady Mairead humphed. “She should try and cross me, just try. Where is Archie now?”
“He has been stayin’ with her this week.”
She said, “You could have her arrested.”
“I remember too well what twas like tae have him hidden from me, taken from me. I want tae try tae cooperate with her. How would it be tae have his mother arrested and jailed? What if he dinna forgive me on it?”
“Ye are being too fair tae her.”
“I am in a difficult position.”
Lady Mairead came tae m’apartment bangin’ on the door. “Magnus, awaken, something has happened.”
When she entered she looked overly excited. “Bella is downstairs, asking for refuge, there has been some mischief.”
I rushed to the elevators and down the main foyer. “What happened?”
Bella was wearin’ a silk robe, with a wool blanket wrapped around her shoulders, her hair stickin’ up as if she had been in bed. Archie was wailin’ desperately in Mrs Johnstone’s arms.
Bella said,
“Magnus!” and fell against m’chest. “He was after me! He barged in! He tried to...” She began tae sob.
“Who did?” I looked around at the security for answers. “Who was there?”
Sergeant Melber, head of Bella’s security, said, “Your Highness, we didn’t see anyone. They’re searching the estate now. She wanted to be brought here, to you, directly.”
I reached for Archie tae comfort him. As Mrs Johnstone passed him tae me she whispered, “He has a bruise here.”
I brushed his hair away from his forehead tae see a purple bruise. He flinched in fear.
“Och,” I held him close. His wee arms went around my neck. I stepped away from Bella. “Who was it? Was it Roderick? His men?”
“Yes!” She sobbed more and was unable tae continue speakin’.
I said tae Sergeant Melber, “I’ll take her up tae m’apartments.”
Fifty-three - Magnus
Mrs Johnstone turned on the lights.
I led Bella tae the couch and sat beside her and requested food and drink tae be brought for her. I tried tae console Archie.
Lady Mairead stood on the edge of the living room, her eyes narrowed at Bella. “What happened tae ye? Security needs be tightened, who are we looking for?”
Bella looked from Lady Mairead tae me, then she dove at me, shrieking, and thrust a blade intae my abdomen, a sharp pain, a stab, furious, deep and shocking.
In m’pain I hurled Archie off the couch, accidentally bangin’ him against the table.
His cries crescendoed as I looked down at m’front, a dagger hilt juttin’ from m’body, blood rushing from the wound — “Och!”
Lady Mairead pulled Bella off me, holdin’ a dagger at her throat.
Security guards rushed in through the doors.
Bella screeched, “I hate you! Roderick is the true king! Long live Roderick!”
Soldiers surrounded her, subduin’ her and bindin’ her arms, arrestin’ her in front of our frightened, screaming son. “Mrs Johnstone! Take him from the room!”
Blood poured down my front, Archie was wailing in fear and pain.
Soldiers lifted me tae rush me tae the infirmary.
I woke in a stark room with Lady Mairead near m’bed.
She said, “Tis about time for ye tae awaken. There is a mess ye need tae be dealin’ with.”
I looked up at the plain ceiling. “I have been here verra many times.”
“What, the infirmary?”
“Nae, with a mess tae deal with.” I felt the bandages on my stomach. “What of m’wound?”
“It could have been worse, you should be able tae leave the infirmary by tomorrow morning.”
“I wanted tae return tae Florida today.”
She shrugged. “You might have tae wait a few more days afore ye can travel, but ye will need tae decide on Archie first.”
“Och.”
“Bella was in contact with Roderick. If I had been here earlier, I would have been listening tae all her conversations. You were too kind. She has given Roderick many details on ye.”
“Tis nothing new. My adversaries are always with more information than I have.”
She primly folded her hands in her lap.
“What am I tae do with Bella, I am sure ye have thoughts?”
“I do. I daena think ye want a trial. She is the mother of Archie. Twill nae be in the best interests of the prince tae have a mother who is a criminal, it looks verra bad. His step-mother is already a murderer—”
“Careful.”
“Fine.”
“What do ye suggest?”
“She was taken, ye ken, from a village when she was young. By Donnan who as ye ken had a horrid penchant for cruelty. I will return her tae the village, she can return tae her humble beginnings—”
“Nae, this is also too cruel. She has grown used tae comfort. You should take her tae someplace that has modern medicine, basic luxuries.”
“Och, ye want tae be magnanimous? Ye daena have sense in ye, Magnus. You should feed her tae the dragons. Fine, I like New York, I have friends there.”
“The time daena overlap with Kaitlyn?”
“Nae, they winna cross paths.”
“Good, thank ye.”
“I will do it first thing. Then when ye are released, ye can return tae Florida for a time.”
Fifty-four - Kaitlyn
Hayley was massaging the blue dye all over Beaty’s head, dividing her hair into thick sections and working the blue down the lengths.
Emma watched and teased Beaty about the instructions on the dye kit. “It says here that it could turn orange if we leave it on too long.”
Beaty said, “Och, tis a terrible color, Quenny winna like that.”
Hayley rolled a thick strand between her palms coating it generously. “She’s just kidding you, Beaty, this is only going to be blue, but if it does turn out orange we can shave it all off.”
Beaty said, “Och, I better take a photo with m’long hair for m’Insta in case tis gone later.” She held her phone up and took a sweet and silly dimple-accentuating selfie with a glob of blue dye on her cheek.
I was still on the toilet, pretending to be engaged, while also pretending not to be freaking out. They all knew I was freaking out. You could hear it the way they were talking, pretending not to be aware that I was freaking out.
Finally, I stood, shoved down my pants and panties, and sat back down, ripped open the box, ripped the bag enclosure with my teeth, yanked out a stick, and jabbed it in the space between my legs. “Fine. Happy now? I’m whizzing on the stick, thank you very much. You’ll see, I’m going to prove you wrong and then...”
I forgot to keep talking as urine streamed onto the stick and then I managed to wipe, stand, pull up my pants and holding the stick behind my back went and stood by the rest of them.
“Beaty it looks great so far, really great,” I said absentmindedly.
Hayley said, “Well, so far it’s the color of a peacock which is, I guess, what she is going for.”
She said, “It will match m’pipes.”
I asked, “Your what?”
“M’pipes, they are goin’ tae be blue and green, and Quenny bought them for me. He said they would be delivered in the new house.”
Hayley said, “Just so we’re clear, by pipes you mean, bagpipes?”
“Och aye, I miss the sound of them echoin’ through the castle, tis a beautiful music inna it Mistress Hayley?”
“Um, yes, I suppose so. I did like it a lot echoing around the castle in Scotland, though I’m wondering what it will sound like in Florida?”
Beaty said, “Twill be beautiful.”
I said, “I didn’t know you played the bagpipes, Beaty.”
“I daena but I be goin’ tae learn tae on the YouTube.”
Emma chuckled, “Thank heavens we’re getting a bigger house.” She dropped the dye instructions to the side. “Okay, Katie, let’s see it.”
I shook my head. “Nope. I changed my mind on the whole thing.”
Hayley, her hands in Beaty’s hair, said, “The thing about Katie, Emma, is she is one big chickenshit. Like she never wants to know anything that could be good or bad. She’d rather suffer not knowing than—”
She dove at me with blue, dye-covered hands. I was shriek-laughing. She messed up my skin, my shirt, my pants and my hair, and wrestled me to the ground. Finally, against my squealing protests, she yanked the stick away, and sitting astride my body, held it up high in the air.
My hair was wild from the wrestling and there was a streak of blue down my arm and a blue handprint on my shirt. “Nice, I’ve been assaulted, great.” Then I said, “Don't get it blue, we won’t be able to tell what it says, and I’m not peeing on a stick ever ever ever again.”
She turned it over, looked at it, then shoved it in my face. “See babe, you’re pregnant.”
She dropped the stick onto my chest, climbed off me, and started working on Beaty’s hair again. I lay on the floor of the bathro
om holding the stick up, trying to make sense of its meaning.
Emma was watching me with her lips clamped between her teeth.
“I’m pregnant?”
Emma nodded.
I clutched the stick to my chest and burst into tears.
Fifty-five - Kaitlyn
Emma helped me sit up and then I sat there on the bathroom floor, just like that last time when I was pregnant and — except Magnus wasn’t here.
“I’m pregnant.”
Emma watched me for a moment and then said, “This is literally all your dreams come true.”
“Except Magnus isn’t here.”
“This is true, but he will be here, he’ll be here in a little over four months.”
“Oh.”
Emma worked on her phone. “And by my calculation you’re due October 20th.”
“Oh.” I said again.
Hayley said, “Are you sure you should be talking about due dates and stuff, maybe just take it easy, not think about it, wait and see.”
“Right,” I said, “we don’t know if this means anything at all. I don’t even know I’m pregnant, this could just be...”
“What?”
“Like an anomaly.”
Emma said, “No, not, I mean, just because you’ve lost a baby before doesn’t mean you will again.”
“Really? Because suddenly this seems really real and scary.”
“It’s not, this pregnancy is going to go great. You’ve got all of us to take care of you and your husband is off doing big manly things to keep you safe.”
Hayley snapped the plastic cap onto Beaty’s head, peeled off the latex gloves, and dropped down onto the tile floor beside me. “Emma is right, this is going to go great. Do you need to go get Magnus, tell him to come home early?”
I dropped my head back against the wall. “I don’t really have a way to tell him.”
Emma said, “And maybe no jumping for now.”
Again My Love (Kaitlyn and the Highlander Book 9) Page 23
