Cecilia was difficult to get along with.
The only child of John’s closest friend, Lord Edward Birchet of Prestwick, Cecilia was used to having her way. When she didn’t get what she wanted, she threw herself into fits of screaming at her father that he didn’t truly love her. Galeren wouldn’t blame him if he did not, in fact, love her. How could anyone? Galeren didn’t care if she was considered the most beautiful lass in Scotland by most. Beauty faded soon after he got to know her. Oh, she didn’t practice her tantrums on him. Yet. He could see the simmering anger in her gold/green eyes. She always held her tongue with him. He was certain that would change when they were married. He wasn’t sure he could remain with her if she raved and ranted at him. He’d gone to John about it, but the high steward only laughed at his concerns and asked him to ponder how wild she would be in his bed. Galeren didn’t want to ponder it. He didn’t want a life with her. But John wanted their union. King David wanted it as well. He’d asked Galeren to try. Galeren had agreed.
Padrig was mostly always quiet, so his silence was expected.
“Ye will never have peace with her,” remarked Mac. “She will ever be jealous of yer steadfast, sometimes foolhardy loyalty. I dinna think John should ask somethin’ so personal and permanent of his captain.”
“Especially,” now Morgann joined in, “to a grumblin’ banshee.”
“Aye,” Mac agreed. “What kind of friend does that? He is yer friend. Is he not?”
“It has nothin’ to do with friendship,” Galeren told him calmly.
“No? What has it to do with? Yer military service then?”
Galeren shook his head, but he had no defense and looked away. “I have my reasons. Just know that ’twill always be aboot duty fer me”
“Aye,” Mac agreed quietly. “We know that, Cap. But she will be yer wife. Ye will be stuck with a screechin’, spoiled child who will make ye miserable. I—we, dinna want that fer ye.”
Galeren glanced around at the others. They were nodding their heads in agreement. He cared deeply for them. Even King David did not command his utmost admiration the way these four did. Aye, they drove him mad most of the time, but here he was with them yet again.
“I will never allow any wife of mine to behave so irrationally and with complete disregard for the sacrament of marriage.”
“What will ye do?” Will put to him.
“I would decide when the time came. Mayhap lock her in our chamber, or someplace of her own.”
“Punish her in her chambers?” Will asked with barely concealed amusement.
“Aye. What else do ye do with a destructive child? Look,” he said, turning to all of them. “I am not a peached-faced lad—”
“Four and twenty,” Mac pointed out as if it explained something of vital importance.
“Two years younger than ye,” Galeren reminded him. Then he sighed through his teeth. “I will handle Cecilia. Dinna worry aboot me, aye?”
Mac, Morgann, and Padrig all agreed.
“Will,” Galeren said, waiting for him to agree. “King David has been advised and he agrees that an alliance between Lord Birchet and John is a good idea. He has his reasons.”
“What in the bloody hell do ye care aboot what our imprisoned king thinks?”
“William,” Galeren commanded. “Ye speak treason against the king. Mind yer tongue.”
“We dinna have a king, Cap!” Will threw up his hands and Galeren motioned to Padrig.
The giant moved quickly and surprisingly quietly. He took hold of Will and shook him by the collar.
“Take yer hands off me, Goliath!” Will demanded with a smirk. “Ye remember what happened to Goliath, d’ye not?”
Padrig gave him another violent shake to quiet him.
“Tie him up,” Galeren ordered.
Padrig didn’t move for an instant and then the other three stepped forward to help.
“Cap, what are ye doin?” Will asked, growing more serious now.
“Ye canna keep yer mouth shut, can ye?” Morgann reproved him. “Ye are as bad as our captain’s betrothed.”
Will gave Galeren an incredulous look. “Are ye truly goin’ to keep me tied up?”
“Treason, Will,” Galeren said and rode his horse past him. He loved Will but one day his mouth was going to get him killed. He also loved the king. He’d joined David’s ranks at fifteen and the two became good friends until David was captured by the English six years later. His imprisonment didn’t shake his captain’s loyalty. Galeren was still in contact with him. He was and would always be the