Fated Hearts 02 - Highland Echoes (31 page)

“Not at all,” said Michael.

“I don’t fink it’s siwwy eiver,” said Kristen.

Just then, a hush fell over the hall as Laird Sutherland took his usual place at the table, standing to address those assembled. “Good evening.”

The clan responded with a murmured, “Good evening, Laird.”

“Tonight, I must do something that is very difficult. I must confess to ye all that over the last few weeks I have whispered lies, and aided in spreading malice about the lovely young woman beside me.”

More murmurs passed through the crowd.

“I thought my reasons were sound. My son had fallen in love with her, and she with him. But in order to gain an alliance with the Sinclairs, something I firmly believed was for the good of the clan, I intended for him to marry Annice Sinclair.”

“That’s you,” Kristen whispered loudly to Annice. Titters of laughter spread through the hall.

Laird Sutherland smiled indulgently at Kristen before continuing. “I had hoped vainly that Bram would set her aside if her character were called into question. To his credit, he knew better. He was confident of her love and fidelity. So that failing, I did something reprehensible. As her laird, I ordered Grace to lie to my son, to tell him she loved another and would not be his bride. I threatened her with a forced marriage to someone of my choosing. I even threatened her life. I told her it was for the good of the clan and convinced her it was better for her to break his heart than for me to order him to set her aside.” He laid his hand on Grace’s shoulder.

“Perhaps worst of all, I listened to blatant lies about her, told by men I had no reason to trust. I made no attempt at all to discern the truth, but let them drag her away, forcing her to leave her precious child behind.” He looked at Grace. “Grace, I humbly apologize for wronging ye in so many ways.”

Stunned and speechless, Grace just nodded.

Laird Sutherland continued. “Again, Bram saw through the lies and rescued her. What’s more, he saw through the lies I had told her. He knew I could never take her life, so he married Grace last night before bringing her home.”

There were no shocked gasps, suggesting the laird’s revelation came as no surprise. Michael smiled to himself. That news had spread at lightning speed.

“Meanwhile, the Sinclairs arrived, believing in good faith that Bram wished to meet Annice. Laird Sinclair, I heartily apologize for misleading ye.”

Laird Sinclair bowed his head briefly in acknowledgement. “Accepted.”

“Still, in spite of everything, the Divine’s hand has been at work. Ye all knew that Tristan and his bride fled in fear of her father and Grace was raised knowing nothing about her family. What we have learned today is that Kristen’s mother was Catriona Sinclair.”

This time there were some shocked gasps. Clearly that bit of news hadn’t circulated fully.

“So as humbling as this day has been, it has also brought me great joy. My son is married to a lass he adores and with whom he deserves to be happy. I have a good daughter who is not only talented, kind, and as stalwart as any warrior, she is a loving and gentle mother. I have a granddaughter who won my heart from the first moment I saw her. And whether I deserved it or not, I have a staunch ally in Laird Ranulf Sinclair. Please raise yer tankards in honor of the happy couple.” He raised his own. “To Bram and Grace.”

“To Bram and Grace,” the people answered, banging the tables.

When the uproar settled, Laird Sutherland raised his tankard again. “And to Laird Ranulf and Clan Sinclair, long may ye prosper.”

“Clan Sinclair,” the crowd answered.

As the cheering died down again Laird Sutherland said, “We will begin the meal shortly and while, very technically, this is Bram and Grace’s wedding supper, we will formally celebrate their union and our alliance with Clan Sinclair with a great feast on Lammas in just over a fortnight.”

A roar of appreciation rose from the crowd.

“Wiww you be hewe then?” Kristen asked Annice.

“Aye, pet, we are staying here until then. We have only just found ye, we aren’t ready to leave ye yet.” Annice gave the wee lass a hug.

Michael was inordinately happy to learn that Annice Sinclair would be at Castle Sutherland for a while longer.

*

Grace leaned over and whispered, “Did ye know he was going to do that?”

“What? Apologize or announce a celebratory feast?”

“Both, I guess.”

“I had a suspicion there would be a feast, particularly in light of our new bond with the Sinclairs. I didn’t know he was going to apologize, but I’m glad he did.”

Grace appeared to become less ill at ease as the meal progressed. When the sweet had been served, she glanced to the end of the table where a very sleepy Kristen sat with Annice. “I need to take Kristen home and put her to bed.”

“Grace, this is yer home now. We can put her on a pallet in our chamber until we sort everything out.”

“But my grandmother—”

“Will have a place here too. Don’t worry.”

He reached around her, tapping his father’s arm. “Da, please excuse us, we need to put Kristen to bed.”

“Ah, now I’m glad ye mentioned that. Yer mother has been busy all afternoon. Rodina, my love, it is time.”

Grace looked a bit confused. Bram whispered, “Don’t worry so,” and kissed her. “I’ll get Kristen.”

He lifted Kristen from her chair. “Say goodnight, my sweet wee lassie.”

“Good night, but I’m not tired,” she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

He smiled. “I can see that, but Gran has a surprise to show us.”

They followed his parents from the room and up the stairs to the living quarters. Instead of stopping on the first level, where his chamber was, they continued to the second.

His mother explained. “I wanted ye to feel at home and I know Kristen has been in the habit of sleeping near ye. Innes and I discussed it this afternoon and decided it would be best to give ye adjoining rooms. One has been prepared for Innes and Kristen and the other for ye and Bram. Ye’ll have privacy but still be close.”

She showed them to the richly appointed chambers. “I had all of yer belongings brought up from the cottage. Yer loom has been moved to my solar, it gets excellent natural light. And Bram, I had yer belongings moved as well.”

“Thank ye, my lady. These rooms are beautiful,” Grace said.

“Ye are very welcome Grace, and ye needn’t call me ‘my lady’. Rodina is fine, or even Mother if ye wish.”

Bram kissed his mother on the cheek. “Thank ye, Mother.”

She smiled, clearly happy that they were pleased. “Now, Eanraig, we need to give them privacy. Good night, my darlings.” Kristen was almost asleep in Bram’s arms. His mother kissed the child’s cheek, gave Innes a quick hug, and took both of Grace’s hands in hers, kissing her on each cheek. Turning to her husband, she said, “Eanraig, I said we need to go.”

“Aye, Rodina, whatever ye wish.” He nodded to them. “Good night.” He called over his shoulder as they walked away, “oh, never fear, I had Father Damian bless the bed.”

Bram laid a sleeping Kristen on the bed and kissed her forehead. Grace removed the child’s shoes and outer dress before tucking her in. “Grandmother, are ye sure this is all right with ye?”

“Grace, lass, of course it is. I can think of nothing better than spending the rest of my years helping to tend my great-grandchildren and being pampered a bit myself.”

Grace hugged her grandmother. “Then we’ll say goodnight.”

Bram kissed Innes on the cheek, making her smile and blush.

When they reached the door of their chamber, he scooped Grace into his arms, capturing her lips with his.

When he released her lips, Grace looked bemused. “What are ye doing?”

“Carrying ye over the threshold.”

“Ye did that last night.”

“But we are home now.”

Early March 1342, Castle Sutherland

The Sutherlands retired to the family solar after the evening meal had been cleared away. Grace sat by the fire, her husband’s arm around her, watching their son Conall play with Uncle Ian on the floor. Conall was ten months old and chortled merrily every time Ian rolled a small wooden ball to him.

“If ye think this is fun Conall, wait till yer mama teaches ye to throw knives.”

“Ian, don’t tease him so,” said his wife, Saundra, who was ready to deliver their first child any day.

“’Tis no jest, Saundra,” said Bram.

“Grace doesn’t throw knives,” said Saundra.

“Well perhaps not on a daily basis,” said Lady Sutherland, who was putting the final touches on several tiny garments, “but she’s more accurate than any man I’ve ever seen.”

“Flying neeps don’t stand a chance around yer mama,” said Ian.

“Mama,” echoed Conall.

Saundra looked to Innes, who sat in a chair near the fire with Kristen’s gray cat, Sprite, lounging in her lap. “Innes, are they all having one over on me?”

Innes chuckled. “Nay, they aren’t. To quote the laird, Grace can ‘Split a fly’s hair at twenty paces.’”

Saundra looked at Grace in awe. “Will ye teach me?”

Ian laughed so hard tears streamed down his face.

“What are ye laughing at?” she demanded.

“I was just imagining ye throwing knives at flying neeps, my love.”

“Saundra, ye don’t need to start by trying to hit flying neeps. Aiming at a big laughing arse of a husband might be easier,” said Bram.

“Bram, mind yer language,” scolded his mother, “little ears.”

“It’s all right, Grandma,” said Kristen, who was almost five years old. “I’ve heard Da say ‘arse’ before.”

Lady Sutherland looked pointedly at her errant son while Laird Sutherland tried desperately not to laugh at the wee light of his life who sat on his lap.

Grace scolded, “Kristen, ye needn’t repeat everything Da says and Bram ye do need to mind yer tongue.” Before she could tell Saundra that she would be happy to teach her to throw knives, there was a knock at the door.

“In,” called Laird Sutherland.

A messenger entered. “Laird, I bring a message from Laird MacLeod.”

Laird Sutherland held out his hand for the missive. Opening it, he scanned it and his eyebrows drew together.

“Nothing’s happened to Davy, has it?” asked Saundra, fear marring her features. Davy was her late sister’s son.

“Nay. Well, I mean, aye, he had a little accident but he is well. Apparently a MacKay lass was nearby and helped him.” Laird Sutherland read on.

“Poor lass,” said Ian.

“Is she in danger?” asked Grace.

Bram frowned. “The MacKays and the MacLeods have been feuding over their border for years.”

“If she helped the boy, they wouldn’t hurt her, would they?” asked Grace.

Laird Sutherland said, “Don’t worry so, Grace. Laird MacLeod just wants me to send a messenger on his behalf to Laird MacKay so he can arrange to return her.” He folded the missive and said to the messenger, “go down to the great hall and ask someone to get ye something to eat. I’ll send Laird MacLeod’s message on with one of my men tomorrow.”

“Aye, Laird.” The messenger bowed and left.

“Now, lass, where were we?” Eanraig asked Kristen.

“Ye were going to tell me the story about the selkie,” answered Kristen.

“Aye, the selkie. Once upon a time…”

*

Later that night, long after both children were tucked into bed, Grace lay sated in Bram’s arms.

“Grace, my love, ye delight me.”

“I know,” she said with a cheeky grin.

He laughed. “Now, lass, the polite thing to say is, thank ye, or ye delight me too.”

“Ye delight me too, Bram.”

He nuzzled her neck until she giggled. “I love that sound,” he said. He kissed her lips, eliciting a soft moan. “I love that sound too. In fact, I love everything about ye.”

“Do ye love the sound of me retching in the morning?”

“Aye, I do, because it means ye carry my bairn.” He stroked his hand over her slightly rounded belly. “When will we share the news?”

“Not for a while yet. The baby won’t come until late November. Maybe we can announce it on the Feast of St. John the Baptist.”

“Whatever ye wish, my love. I asked ye to marry me on that day, almost two years ago.”

“I won’t easily forget that. Whispers had started about us, and grandmother didn’t want me to go to the celebration for fear there would be more talk. I wanted to dance with ye again so badly. I sat in the kitchen and cried.”

“Oh, Grace, I didn’t know ye cried. I was so angry that night. Mother and Da were trying their best to keep us apart. Ye should have let me take ye to the abbey.”

“Perhaps I should have but things turned out very well anyway.”

They lay quietly for a few moments. Grace had started to drift to sleep when Bram asked, “Whatever happened to all that ribbon mother had ye weave?”

Grace laughed. “Ye really don’t know? That’s a man for ye—never notices anything.”

“What are ye talking about?”

“Yer mother and I decided to give the first ten ells to Annice. I’m surprised ye didn’t notice it on the dress she was married in. We gave the other ten ells to Saundra and it trimmed out the dress she wore to her wedding.”

Bram kissed her soundly, then grinned. “I don’t know why ye’d be surprised. I would think by now ye would have learned, when ye are in the room ye are the only woman I see.”

She laughed and returned his kiss. “I believe ye, thousands wouldn’t.”