Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander (20 page)

Mid-sentence, Lady Ramsay stopped talking, turned to Molly, and said, “My word, child.”

Everyone stopped to see what had caught her attention. Avelina had turned Molly around. She had woven her wild curls into a loose bun at the base of her neck, instead of braiding it like she had done for the others, and had then woven strands into the side of her hair.

Lily smiled. “Molly, you look beautiful.”

Molly’s eyes widened, clearly not used to hearing such talk.

“Look, see your reflection in this platter.” Lily held the platter up and Molly inspected herself. Diana was pleased to see her eyes light up with pleasure and surprise.

“Grandmama, what do you think?” Molly whispered, her gaze on her hands clasped in front of her.

“Lass, you are stunning. ‘Tis a lovely look for you. Come here so I may look at it closer to see exactly what Avelina did with her weaving.”

Molly could not stop smiling, which meant that no one else could either.

The door burst open and Lily swung around and shouted, “Jennie!” She tore over to the door and threw herself into Jennie’s arms, her laughter bouncing off the rafters.

Jennie Grant was not quite as tall as Avelina, and her hair was straight and a shade darker. Freckles dotted the bridge of her nose, but she was clearly a little younger than Avelina. Diana greeted her cousin. “Jennie, you are so grown up. Look how tall you are, and your hair is so beautiful, straight and silky. You are almost a full grown woman.” She hugged her. “Tis lovely to see you again.”

The door opened again and some of the hunting group entered. Laird Alexander Grant had escorted his sister and brought his twin lads with him, Jamie and Jake. Micheil introduced Diana to the wee lads, then made his way over to her and kissed her in front of everyone. “My, you look lovely, wife. Are you rested yet?” His eyes held a teasing gleam.

“Micheil, I can’t believe I slept through everything. I am so sorry.” She gave him a sheepish look.

“Nay, you needed your rest.” He kissed her brow and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Lady Ramsay stood, settling Sorcha on her hip and glancing at Logan. “I need to ask whether or not you were successful, Logan. Did you manage anything for dinner? ‘Tis time for a family celebration this eve.”

Logan wrapped his arm around his mother’s shoulder and kissed Sorcha’s cheek. “Aye, how does two turkeys and a pheasant sound? Gwyneth was at her best today.”

She clapped her hands. “Wonderful.”

Quade was the last to make his way into the room, Torrian and Growley at his side. Jamie and Jake, whom Diana guessed to be around five or six summers, ran over to Torrian, one petting the dog and the other tugging on his arms. Silence descended across the room as Logan and Gwyneth both stared speechless at their daughter.

Logan strode over in front of Molly, his hands on his hips. Her gaze cast down in embarrassment, Molly almost looked as if she were about to burst into tears. He reached down and lifted her chin. “Gywnie, what do you think?”

Tears misted in Molly’s eyes as Gwyneth came over to join them. “Nay, lass,” she said gently. “Do not cry. Have you not seen yourself? You are beautiful.”

Logan said, “Wish your father was here to see you now.”

Molly whispered, “Would you give me back?”

“Not a chance, lass. Not a chance.” Logan kissed one cheek while Gwyneth kissed her other.

Molly beamed and wiped the tears from her eyes. Diana was so pleased to see how happy Molly and Maggie were in their new home. She noticed Molly was quite attached to her new grandmother.

“Not even if they begged for you to return, Molly. We need you here. You’re a member of our family now. We all love you and Maggie.” Quade strode over and patted her on the back. “Plus, you have to be here for the first annual Ramsay Festival.”

Quade had garnered everyone’s attention with that one statement. Lily, Torrian, Maggie, Molly, and Avelina all gathered in front of him, trying to contain their excitement as they waited for him to tell them more.

“For what, Da?” Torrian finally said.

Gwyneth announced, “Micheil has convinced us all to plan our first annual Ramsay Festival. Three contests—archery, an obstacle course for horseback riding, and…” She turned to her husband. “What was the other one?”

Micheil grinned and peeked at Diana. “Jousting.”

She stared back at her husband, her eyes big as saucers. “Nay….” He couldn’t be serious. How could he expect her to sit through the torture of waiting until he was hurt? The last jousting match had been enough for her. She never cared to see it again, especially with her husband competing. Somehow she would have to talk him out of this.

Gwyneth added, “And an obstacle course for those under twelve summers.”

Quade turned to Alex, “Will you stay a sennight and join us?”

Alex glanced at his lads, their eyes wide with excitement. “Surely, we would love to stay, ‘twas a bit chaotic when we left my keep. I brought Jennie to give her a rest and the lads to give Maddie some peace. When you return Jennie this time, you will all have to come along. Brenna has two new nephews.”

“Already?” Brenna ran to grasp Jennie’s hands in hers. “Both bore their bairns? All are well?”

Jennie nodded, her face beaming. “Aye, Caralyn and Celestina both gave birth to laddies. Robbie and Brodie have sons born within a moon of each other. Robbie’s is the biggest.”

Brenna hugged Jennie. “I am so proud of you. You are a healer, just like Mama.”

***

Micheil had talked his brothers into running this festival for him. He had planned this all along, wanting to come to his land to gain assistance for this special festival. After listening to all the talk of his wife marrying a knight, he designed this to make all of her dreams finally come true. He would enter the field in his armor and defeat all the challengers to win her favor. Perhaps he wasn’t an English knight, but he could prance the field as her knight and declare his love for her in front of all. Thus, Quade agreed to be in charge of the festivities to cover for Micheil’s ultimate plan that was to take place at the very end of the competition. The rest had been added for fun.

Quade gathered the group in the center of the courtyard. “Are we ready?” Logan, Gwyneth, Torrian, Lily, Jennie, Avelina, Molly, Maggie, Alex, Jake, Jamie, Diana, and Micheil all stood, awaiting their assignments.

At the last minute, Father Rab came running out to join them. Gwyneth introduced her brother to Diana. Father Rab added, “I am here to help, not to be in charge.”

As soon as the group quieted, he began. “Each of you will be a part of a group. Your job is to design the competition, find a location for it, then return here in a couple of hours to report your findings. Once all of the details are settled, we will allow two days for set up and practice. Any questions?”

Micheil glanced around at the others in the group, but no one spoke. He peeked at Diana again, noticing how tired she looked. She had overslept again, but they had waited for her. Now he wondered if she belonged abed. Meeting a new family had to be exhausting.

Quade started. “Gwyneth and Logan, you are in charge of archery. Torrian and I will build the obstacle course for the younger ones, and Lily, Molly, and Maggie can help us set up. Alex, Diana, and Micheil, you are in charge of the horseback obstacle course and the jousting, and the lads will help you set up the course.”

“Jousting? You cannot be serious. Micheil?” Diana stared at him, obviously waiting for an explanation. “I really thought you were jesting. ‘Tis way too dangerous for all of you.”

Micheil said, “We’ll be verra careful. ‘Tis just for fun. Will only be Quade, Logan, Alex, and I along with three or four of our guards. The lads and lassies all love it. ‘Tis just for show.”

“You are going to put me through this again?” Diana stared at him, her eyes wide with anxiety.

Quade said, “Apparently, we missed out on something, Micheil?”

“Aye,” Diana said. “You missed seeing your brother be the only one to take on an English knight, and a cheating one at that.”

Quade grinned. “Och, I’m sorry we missed it. Tell us more.”

Alex laughed. “‘Tis some tale, in my eyes. We heard about it in Perthshire. You must tell it true to your brothers.”

Micheil chuckled. “Diana, it was not that bad. I succeeded, did I not?”

“Aye, you were on the ground, bleeding all over. I thought you were dead.” Diana’s chest heaved as she glared at her husband.

“There’s naught to worry about here, my love. No one in the family is likely to have a dagger hidden at the end of a jousting stick.” Micheil was surprised at how upset Diana appeared to be.

Logan said, “Diana, we’re family. We don’t hurt each other.”

“And your cousins are wonderful healers,” Quade offered.

Micheil glowered at Quade. How in the hell was that supposed to help? “Continue, Quade. Finish the assignments. My wife and I will talk while we plan the horseback course.”

Quade finished his instructions and sent everyone off to complete their assignments. When the others had left, he strode over to Diana’s side. “We do not have to host a jousting contest if it will upset you.” He looked from his brother to Diana.

Diana nodded. “I’ll get my horse so we can locate a field for the obstacle course.” She strode away from Micheil toward the stables.

“Was it that bad?” Quade asked.

“Aye, I had been hit with the dagger a few times. But they were superficial wounds. They looked worse than they were. But I did lose quite a bit of blood. Must be it upset her.”

“Mayhap you should be the judge instead of a competitor.”

Micheil took off to follow his wife. “Nay, she’ll be fine. I’ll talk to her.” Besides, this would ruin all his plans. He wanted to be everything she had ever wanted.

Quade raised his eyebrows at his brother. “Tread carefully, you are newly wed.”

By the time Micheil made it to the stables, Diana was through the gates on her horse. He did not understand why she was being so temperamental. She was not usually so sensitive, so emotional about everything. Apparently, coming to his family’s house had brought up some memories that were bothersome for her.

He mounted his horse and followed her through the gates, trying to catch up to her. “Diana, wait, please,” he bellowed, but she continued on, barreling across the meadow as if possessed.

He was almost to the point of getting angry, when her horse stopped quickly and she froze. Finally, something must have made sense to her, and she was thinking normally again. As he came up abreast of her, a lump found its way into his throat. She had turned her horse around, and the expression on her face scared him like nothing he had ever seen before.

“Diana?” He reined in his horse. The look on her face was horrifying. “Diana, what’s wrong?”

She burst into tears and said, “Micheil, help me.”

Hellfire, he would do anything for her. He jumped off his horse and ran to her side. “What’s wrong? Diana?” The expression on her face was full of fear.

“Micheil, take me home, please.”

“What’s wrong? Tell me why you look like that?”

“I need to see Brenna. I don’t know if I should ride.”

“What? You are talking in riddles, love. Tell me.”

“I cannot, Micheil. ‘Tis womanly issues. Just help me get back, but I must go slowly, no bouncing.”

“We can do that. Do you want to ride with me? You can ride on my lap.”

“Aye, but do not bounce, please.”

Micheil helped her down and got her on his horse before he climbed behind her and settled her against him, at the last minute grabbing the reins of her horse to follow them. He had no idea what she was talking about, but he trusted her judgment and rode as slowly and carefully as he could. She sat sideways and leaned against him, staring into the distance as she gripped his plaid.

“Are you hurt, Diana?”

She shook her head. That was when he finally took the time to glance at his arm, at the wetness that had been there since he lifted her onto his horse. At the time, he had been too upset to notice.

Blood, not much, but there was no mistaking it. Now he understood—these were the kind of womanly issues he knew nothing about. He had to get her to Brenna quickly. Wiping his arm on his plaid, he reached for her and tugged her in close. Logan headed toward him from the field they had been working in, concern etched on his features. Micheil maintained a slow steady pace without stopping, and Logan turned to ride next to him.

“Do you need help?”

“Aye, find Brenna and tell her I’m bringing Diana to her.” Micheil turned his head to catch Logan’s gaze. “Womanly issues.”

Logan spurred his horse. “I’m on my way. Alex and his guards are with Gwynie and the rest of the group.”

Logan must have stopped to explain to the others because he had a few who joined him as he passed each field. Quade pulled alongside him and said, “Anything I can do?”

“Just make sure your wife is ready for her. Mother also.”

“I will.”

Avelina and Jennie came on either side of him. “Micheil, what can we do?” Lina asked.

He shook his head, so they continued along with him. Avelina said, “In case you think of anything.”

Micheil was touched with the way his family surrounded him to follow them back to the castle. Little was said, but their support meant everything.

Diana clung to him and buried her face in his chest, and he did not know what to do for her. He was totally lost, a feeling he did not like one bit.

***

Micheil stood outside his chamber with his brothers, waiting for Brenna to come out and tell him what was wrong with his wife. “What is taking so long?”

Quade said, “You must be patient. Brenna is verra thorough, you know that. Why don’t we go downstairs and have an ale while you wait?”

“Nay, I’ll stay here. I need to know what has happened to her. Why was she bleeding?”

Logan grasped his shoulder. “Womanly problems are something I know naught about, and I do not wish to know. Let Mother and Brenna take care of her. She’s in good hands.”

Just then, Lily and Torrian both popped up at the top of the staircase and rushed down the passageway toward them, eager for information about their new aunt. Quade shook his head and waved them away. Before Lily ran back down the stairs, she ran over and hugged Micheil. “Uncle, you know I love both of you. Lady Diana is so nice. She will get better.”

Micheil picked Lily up and hugged her before setting her back down. “Thank you, sweets.”

Logan put his arm around wee Lily and said, “Let’s go back downstairs and see how the bairns are doing. You need to help with Bethia and Sorcha, and they will get upset if you’re upset.”

Lily said, “I know. I love you all.” She turned and ran down the passageway to the stairs, Logan following her at a statelier pace.

Once he and his eldest brother were alone together, Micheil stared at the floor, then searched his brother’s gaze. “Do you think her bleeding indicates she has lost our bairn?”

Quade whispered, “Possibly. But we don’t know that yet.”

Just then, the door opened, and his mother and Brenna stepped outside.

“May I see her? Is she all right?” Micheil’s gut was doing somersaults. He knew his stomach would never settle until he saw his wife.

Brenna nodded. “She’s resting. I gave her something to help her sleep. She cannot remember the last time she had her courses, do you?”

Micheil stared at her blankly as Quade coughed and said, “Brenna, must you?”

She glowered at her husband. “Aye, I must. I am trying to assess her condition. Do you, Micheil?”

He shook his head, not wanting to discuss the topic at all. “Nay, I don’t recall.”

“It is verra possible she is carrying your bairn. If so, ‘tis early, so ‘tis not uncommon for there to be some bleeding. I want her in bed for at least a sennight. We will take turns tending her, but I do not think she has lost the bairn yet, so she needs to make sure the babe is well set in her womb. The beginning can be a fragile time, so we must be careful.

“You may go in with her. When she awakens, I do want her to eat. ‘Tis verra important that she eats enough for two, so you are to watch her for that. Has she seemed different to you at all?”

Micheil wanted to deny it, but then he thought again about her behavior these last few days. “She’s been verra tired, oversleeping, but I thought it was the trip. And she has been extra sensitive.” He turned to look at Quade. “The jousting, remember?”

Quade nodded. “I can attest. She was a little overbearing about it. Almost ready to cry at the mere mention of the contest.”

Brenna and Lady Ramsay smiled at each other. “Congratulations, Micheil,” Brenna said. “It does indeed sound as if your wife carries your bairn. We just have to make sure he or she likes their new home.” She patted his arm and said, “Go sit with her. We’ll send up some food and ale for you. She will sleep for a bit, so Quade can keep you company. But no weans for a while. I want it to be kept quiet for her up here.”

She headed down the passageway before turning to look back at him. “Oh, and Micheil?”

“Aye?”

“No horseback riding till the bairn is born.”

Micheil’s eyes widened, but he nodded. “We can do that.”

His mother leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Congratulations, son. She’s a lovely lass and strong. I have seen it many times over the years. Some women just need to spend the first little while in bed. You will both need to be careful.”

Heading toward the end of the passageway, Quade shouted, “I’ll bring up some food in a wee bit. Go see to your wife.”

Micheil nodded as Quade and his mother disappeared down the stairs. He stepped into the dark chamber. Brenna had left one small tallow lit. Once inside, he stared at his wife. She was sound asleep and looked so small in the bed, it broke his heart. Damn, he had pushed too hard to get to his family. She had done too much horseback riding, though neither of them had known there was a reason to refrain. Diana loved riding.

He sat in the chair, content to watch her while she slept, and folded his hands in his lap. A bairn. He was going to be a father. Was he ready for that? He thought of his two brothers and realized he would love nothing more than to see their bairn in his wife’s arms. A wee laddie or a lassie, he did not care, so long as the bairn was strong. Lily and Torrian had gone through such an ordeal, he would have to pray their bairn was born robust, not weak or sickly. Thank the Lord that Brenna had saved his niece and nephew.

He prayed Brenna could save their bairn as well.

***

When Diana awoke, she breathed in the scent of her husband and relaxed. He smelled of pine and the outdoors, that special aroma of Micheil Ramsay she had come to love so much. He was here with her. Together, they could handle anything. She moved her head back on the pillow to see if he was asleep or not. His breathing was deep and regular, and his long dark locks were in a tangle around his head. Her ordeal must have upset him.

Brenna had told her that she was probably carrying their bairn. Her hand settled on her belly as she willed the wean to grow strong inside her, where it could be protected for many moons. Somehow, through the chaos of being newly wed and losing her father, she had not noticed it had been a while since her courses had come.

A deep rumble interrupted her thoughts. “Sweeting, how do you fare?” Micheil leaned up on his elbow to look at her, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

She smiled up at her husband, the moonlight from the slit in the window just bright enough to illuminate his dear face. “I feel fine, Micheil. Did Brenna give you the news?”

“Aye, she said we’re going to have a bairn. How do you feel about that?”

“Micheil, naught would make me happier. I did not think it would happen this quickly, but I had hoped we would have several bairns some day. We need at least one laddie for the clan.” She reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers.

“A lassie much like her mother would be pleasing to me.” He kissed her softly. “You frightened me, wife.”

She breathed in a deep sigh and rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling as she held her husband’s hand in hers. “Micheil, what if I lose the bairn?” She blinked several times in an attempt to stop the tears she felt pressing against her eyes.

“I think we must do as Brenna said. I have faith in her healing skills. She has delivered many bairns in our clan and her own. You will not have it easy because I know how you hate staying abed, but she thinks it is best that you do so for a sennight.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “I know, and my horseback riding days are done for now. That does not upset me. Do you think it is my fault for racing you to the castle when we arrived?”

“Nay, what was meant to happen, will happen. If we lose this bairn, we will make another.”

“Micheil?” Tears flooded down her cheeks now as she stared at the beams above.

“Sweeting, don’t cry. You know how I hate to see you cry.”

“What if I cannot carry a Drummond lad? What if I can only carry lassies? I want my father to see his grandson. I know he can see from heaven.”

Micheil rolled back down flat on the bed and tucked his wife into his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder. “Sweeting, I will be just as happy with a lassie as I would be with a lad.”

“I do not want to disappoint my sire again.”

“Again? I do not think you ever disappointed your sire. Not the man I met.”

“Aye, I did.” She sighed before she continued. “The day I was born. He wanted a son.” She swiped at the tears, likely making a mess of her face, but was unable to stop their flow. It was impossible to count how many times she had heard the story of her father’s disappointment the day she was born a lass.

Micheil whispered, “The man I met adored his daughter, so much so that he admitted to spoiling you terribly. Does that sound like a sire that was disappointed?”

She giggled. “Papa did spoil me, aye. And I loved every minute of it. He was a wonderful sire.”

“Then fear not. He will be proud of you no matter what. Now cease your tears. I am trying to imagine how you’ll look with a swollen belly, ripe with child.”

“Micheil. I do love you so.” She kissed him and rested her head back on his shoulder, falling asleep in a matter of moments.

***

Micheil stared at his wife, who lay fast asleep in his arms. He had planned everything so carefully, but he hadn’t planned on this. How could he have guessed she was carrying their bairn? He had hoped to joust in the tourney, then present himself to her as the knight of her dreams.

He remembered how excited she had been in Edinburgh at the thought of seeing the English knights joust in the tournament. Diana had loved sitting in the stands, and according to Aunt Elspeth, her cheeks had flushed a pleased pink when the knight presented himself for her token. It had been such a wonderful day for her—except for one thing. The knight had been unmasked as the odious Randall Baines.

Now Micheil wanted to be her knight. His wife had loved her mother’s tales of chivalry, so it didn’t seem right that the only tournament she’d seen in person had starred a cheating knight. He wanted to fulfill her dreams, and doing so at their festival seemed a perfect plan.

But could she handle watching him joust in her state? The last thing he wished to do was cause her undue worry, so he’d tried to explain how careful he would be, but her fear seemed very real. Was he making a mistake?