Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) (18 page)

Effie sniffled. “Just the rags so we can change them. Their clothes no longer fit. Only what they have on. They all need new clothing, hose, and shoes.”

Ashlyn and Aline found a satchel and stuffed it full of clean raggies for the bairns. Then they each picked up one of the little lassies. One child had golden hair, barely discernible through the dirt, and the other had red hair, lighter colored than Aline’s. Neither child balked or acted excited. In fact, they didn’t react at all.

Aline’s heart broke in two. What had Hew done? Where had the lassies come from?

They carried the bairns up the staircase. Effie said, “Be careful in the sun. They’ll have a difficult time.”

“Fortunately, ‘tis a typical cloudy day, no sun at all. In fact, darkness is almost upon us.”

Once they stepped outside, all three lassies closed their eyes, burying their faces where they could, but as they walked, they continued to take peeks at the world around them.

“Aline, can we play?” Maisie asked, her eyes glancing between the other lassies.

“Mayhap in a wee bit. We must find Jake’s sire.”

They started to span the distance between the two keeps, and Jake pointed to a spot closer to the gates. “There, my sire has set up a tent under that tree.”

“Perfect. This will be helpful for the girls and their eyes,” said Effie. “They adjusted quickly whenever I took them outside. It just took a short while.”

Alex Grant was talking with someone when they entered the tent, but he cut off the conversation abruptly at the sight of them. A look of fury crossed his face in a flash before clearing away just as quickly. “What is this? Where did you find the lassies?”

Effie, who looked beset by nerves, moved to the side of the tent quickly, doing her best to get out of the way, and settled the three girls on the ground. None of them moved, a most unnatural state for wee ones.

“May I go sit with them?” Maisie whispered in Aline’s ear.

Aline nodded, and Maisie jumped down to join the bairns. Ina and Maeve stayed close to Maisie while Una stayed with her mother.

Alex Grant turned his gaze to Ashlyn. “Tell me.”

Ashlyn cleared her throat, but the fury in her eyes looked no less keen than Alex’s. “Effie carried Hew Gordon’s child. Once she was born, he hid her downstairs. Maisie stayed with her but was threatened in order to keep her quiet, and the other two lassies are a mystery. No one knows why they are there, except to keep Effie busy and possibly to keep Effie and Aline in line. Who knows the mind of an addled man? I have my own beliefs from what I uncovered in the short time I was here.”

Alex asked, “And can you tell me that without upsetting the wee ones?”

Ashlyn nodded. “There was talk of acquiring many lassies to earn him wealth when they were old enough.” She turned away from the girls so they could not see how distressed she was at this disclosure.

The huge chieftain stared at Ashlyn, his emotions completely hidden, though Aline saw a slight tic in his jawline. “We shall discuss this later, Ashlyn.”

Aline could see the tremors in Effie’s hands as they waited to see what else he would say. Alex Grant was a large, intimidating man, though she knew him to be kind.

He turned his attention to Effie, then tipped his head to her. “Lass, you and the bairns are welcome at Clan Grant.”

Effie’s eyes widened, but she nodded and said, “My thanks. I would like that verra much. I was stolen from my sick mother many moons ago. I doubt she still lives.”

Magnus suddenly covered his face and stepped out of the tent, followed by Jake. Aline wondered what transpired, but then she understood. A waft came from one of the wean’s raggies. She leaned over to determine which one needed changing, then picked up the red-haired child and carried her outside the tent with a clean rag.

“My thanks,” Jake yelled after her. “Nay, all of our thanks.”

She giggled because he was exactly right. The odor had spread through the tent like a wildfire.

“Let me know if you need aught,” he added with a wink. “Otherwise, I’ll be in here with the others.”

“Chicken,” she shouted. Laughing, she chucked the wee one under her chin. “Ina, is that not your name? Ina, you are a cute one, are you not?” The lass smiled at Aline and touched her cheek with her wee fingers. There was a spot of soft grass not far away, and she set the wean down to change her rags. When she was almost finished, she glanced off to the gates, surprised to see Jake’s mother had already arrived. They exchanged waves as Maddie made her way over to the tent. She was turning the wee one on her side to arrange her clothing better when her gaze settled on something.

Aline screamed, so loud that everyone heard her.

Chapter Twenty

Jake flew out of the tent at the same time his mother came running toward her. “What’s wrong?” they both asked.

Aline reached for the babe, turning her on her side to look at the birthmark on the wee one’s hip. The wee one stared at her, her fingers in her mouth, as she ran her fingers across it.

“Morna?”

Jake knelt down beside her. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Her face had turned so pale he feared she would keel over in front of him.

She turned and stared at him. “Morna. This bairn has a mark just like my sister Morna did. The bairn that was newly born when my mama died. She had a mark here on her hip, in the verra same spot. I have not seen her since Hew stole Maisie and me from our da. She was less than six moons when I left.” Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at Jake.

“That is quite a distinctive mark, Aline,” his mother said softly, glancing over her shoulder. “The chance of finding another with a mark such as that is next to nothing. Who is this child? Where did you find her? Is she about the right age to be your sister?”

“We found three bairns with Effie. One is Effie’s child, but she does not know where the other two came from or why Hew brought them to her. She has cared for them for over a year, I believe.” Aline thought for a moment before she nodded. She finished fastening the bairn’s rag, then turned her over to look into her eyes. “Oh, saints above. Morna? Could it be true?”

“Does the timing fit?” his mother asked. “She appears to be about two and a half summers, mayhap three, but I do not think three. Let me look at her teeth.” She settled her hands on Aline’s shoulders and they peered into the wee one’s mouth.

“Aye. My mama died birthing Morna about two and a half years ago. Maisie and I were taken away two years ago, but he didn’t take Morna. I took care of her after my mama died, fed her milk from a cup. We did not have a wet nurse, so I gave her goat’s milk.”

“Aline, she would not remember you or aught about your home. She has no memories of her life before being here. Oh, praise God, I believe you have found your sister.” She squeezed Aline’s shoulders, tears in her eyes.

“Mayhap he went back for her,” Jake said. “Though I’m not sure why he would do such a thing.”

Effie had come out to join them. “I know why,” she said softly.

All three faces turned to her. “When I gave birth to Una, I threatened to leave once I was healed. He left and returned with your sister and the bairn with the gold curls. He threatened to hurt them both if I left, and of course, I could not. And you may not believe this, but I think he wanted someone for Maisie to play with. He felt bad for her because she was lonely.”

Jake said, “And it gave him another to use against Aline if he needed to.”

Effie nodded. “I heard him say that under his breath once.”

“It fits,” his mother said.

“It was only in the last few moons that he talked of these new ambitions, new ways to become wealthy. I do not think those were his original plans.” Effie smiled at Aline. “Mayhap this worked out for the best.”

Aline’s tears finally burst free as she clutched the wee one to her chest. “Maisie and Morna and I shall be together again.”

She turned to his mother and asked her a question, her face showing how concerned she was. “Will you help me with her? And Effie? I have never raised a bairn before. I only saw Maisie for limited times, and I need to learn how to care for Maisie, too. Please help me with them?”

His mother leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Aline, of course I will help you. We all will.”

Jake stood, helping Aline to her feet as she held Morna.

His mother patted her arm. “I know circumstances were not the best, but I think she’ll be fine. I’m sure Effie took good care of them, they just were not allowed out around others or outside.” Maddie fussed with the bairn’s red curls. “She has hair like yours, a bit lighter, but still red. Aye, with the love of our clan, she will blossom.”

“I cannot believe I have my two sisters back. Are you sure you shall take us all in?” She glanced at his mother, then at Jake.

“Of course.” Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulder, just as Maisie came running toward them.

“Aline, why did you scream? Did you change the wee one’s raggies? Were they smelly?”

“Aye, I have changed her. Maisie, this is our sister Morna.”

“It is? I did not know we had another sister. Morna is my sister?” Maisie played with the wee one’s feet sticking out of her gown. “But I thought her name was Ina.”

“Nay, this is Morna.” Aline nodded. “There are three of us now.” She tipped Morna down so Maisie could see her better.

Maisie leaned over and kissed Morna’s cheek. “I love you, wee sister.”

Morna smiled and reached for Maisie.

Jake could tell how much this meant to Aline. He could not imagine losing a sibling and finding them again. How difficult this entire situation was for her.

His mother ushered them toward the tent. “Let’s bring her back inside where the wind isn’t blowing so. She’ll be warmer.” As soon as they ducked inside the tent, they all stopped in their tracks.

“Greetings, wife.”

Jake looked past his mother’s shoulder. His sire sat on a tree stump at the edge of the tent. The wee yellow-haired girl was cuddled on his lap, her thumb in her mouth. Jake said, “Papa?”

“I know it looks odd, but she will not leave me.” His father gave them all an innocent look that told him he wasn’t ready to set the lass down yet.

His mother strode over and kissed his father’s cheek. “She knows when she sees the best father ever. I think we should keep her, Alex.” She turned to Effie. “Would you mind, Effie? We have not had a bairn in a long time. Alex is quite good with lassies.”

Effie smiled. “Not at all. I will be busy with Una. If you must know, the four of them did exhaust me, though I tried my best.”

“You did a fine job, especially under the circumstances. We all thank you for what you did for these lassies.”

Effie breathed a sigh of relief. “You are welcome to keep her as yours. You will be wonderful parents for her.”

His sire didn’t say a word, but quirked a brow at his wife. He was always amazed to see how his mother always understood his sire, sometimes with just a glance. His father wouldn’t agree to this unless he was willing. Adopting a wee lass was a large commitment.

“You know we’ll not have another, and Eliza is ten and four now. Would you not like another daughter? I do not think anyone will claim her if what Effie says is true.” He watched his mother work her magic with his sire. Everyone knew how the huge laird loved to have wee bairns on his lap, especially lassies. His cousin Lily had spent more time on his lap than anyone, though mayhap not as much as Eliza, their youngest.

His father glanced down at the head of golden curls, her eyes now closed. “What is her name?”

“Maeve,” Maisie said. “Call her Maeve. That’s what we called her and it sounds almost like my name.” She tipped her head back to see what Maddie thought of her choice.

His mother said, “Maeve it is. I think it’s a fine choice. Alex, you’ll be a wonderful sire to her. She needs you in her life.”

His sire grunted, but then the briefest of smiles crossed his face, indicating he agreed with the decision.

Jake now had three sisters, Kyla, Eliza, and Maeve.

***

Once they arrived back at Grant land, there was a flurry of activity that kept Aline and Jake apart. The Grant guards had searched every glen in the area but with no luck. MacNiven had disappeared again, though his sire still had a group scouting for him.

By the end of the second day, Jake vowed he would find the time to talk to Aline alone. She’d slept above stairs with all the wee ones the first night to help Maisie and Morna get settled into their new home, which he understood. They had all desperately needed a good night’s sleep, and it was natural the wee ones would feel nervous about being around so many unfamiliar people.

But he missed her. He’d decided it was time to propose to her, to make her his in front of everyone.

He came in from the lists for the late meal and was pleased to see Effie and Aline were seated with all the bairns and Ashlyn and Gracie. He sat down next to her, and before long, his sire and mother joined them. Jamie came in behind them.

“Good, I’ll not be left out of this one.” Jamie cast his brother a sideways glance.

Their sire said, “You were not left out, Jamie, and you know it. You were given the task of protecting your sisters and the rest of the clan. Do you view this not worthy, especially when this was their main target?”

“Of course, ‘tis a worthy task, Papa.” He turned to Ashlyn and rolled his eyes.

Ashlyn giggled. “Aye, ‘twas worthy, but not exciting enough.”

“Had they come here, you would have been as busy as we were,” Jake added. “You’ll get your turn yet.”

Jamie took a deep breath, “Aye, Papa. All jobs are important. Uncle Robbie often tells me about all the battles he missed out on by defending the castle.”

Jake decided to change the topic of conversation. “How is everyone doing? Are you all settling in?”

Maisie almost leaped out of her seat in her eagerness to speak with him. “Aye, Jake. ‘Tis a wondrous place, this castle. Where have you been? Today was bath day. We all had a nice warm bath in a chamber for bathing. I’ve not seen aught like it before. Aline loved it and so did Morna and Maeve.”

Effie nodded in agreement, then looked at Maddie. “We all loved it. ‘Tis quite a creation, my lady.”

Jake’s mother rested her chin on his sire’s shoulder. “Aye, Alex designed it for me, and I have enjoyed it ever since.” Maeve was cuddled on Maddie’s lap.

Aline seemed nervous, so Jake gave her a questioning look, but she avoided his gaze and gave her attention to his sire instead. “My laird, we are verra appreciative of all you’ve done for us, but we cannot stay in the chief’s keep forever. If Effie and I cooked bread and sweets for your kitchens and brought them in daily, would it be enough to buy ourselves a cottage for all of us to share? We do not need a large one, we’ll make do with whatever you have.”

Alex glanced at Jake before opening his mouth to answer. “We do have a few cottages open, and you are welcome to use one. I’ll leave the cooking to my wife, but we are happy to welcome you to our clan. There are things inside each cottage, though each is a bit different. We shall help you with the furniture.”

“And if you lack in aught, we will provide for you.” Maddie nodded. “You both have brought us a dear gift,” she said, hugging the bairn in her lap, “and we cannot put a price on her.”

Effie said, “But we’d like to earn our way. Or I can clean if you need it.”

“I think cooking or baking to share would be sufficient,” Maddie replied. “I’ve heard you are quite a cook, Effie. You have many to care for and you’ll have a cottage to keep. Jake can help you with repairs.”

Effie said, “You will allow us, my lady?”

“Aye, Jake can show you the two we have available on the morrow. For this eve, you may stay here, get the lassies settled in and warm. Relax.” Maeve picked up a crust of bread and began to gnaw on it, and Maddie kissed the top of her head. Jake hadn’t seen his mother this happy since Eliza had been a bairn.

They finished their meal as they continued talking about Clan Grant and all the work that was done on a daily basis. At the end of the meal, Jake said, “Mama, would you mind watching Maisie and Morna for a bit? I’d like to talk to Aline in private. We’ll go for a short walk if Aline agrees.”

When his mother nodded, Aline smiled and leaned down to speak to Maisie. “Now you be good for my lady. I will be right back, and you can help her with the other wee ones.”

Maddie got a twinkle in her eye. “How about if I read one of my story books to you? Would you like that, Maisie? We can sit in front of the hearth.”

“Believe me when I tell you that my mother tells the best stories,” Jamie said with a smile, “and she has picture books to go along with them.”

“Nay, I wish to see them!” Maisie was so excited that she hopped off the bench and ran over to the hearth. At the last minute, she turned around and rushed back over to Aline. “Bye, Aline. Have a nice walk.” She kissed her sister and then spun back around and found a spot in front of the hearth. Another thought occurred to her and she jumped back up to run over to Morna. “Come sit with me while we listen to my lady’s story.” She led her sister back to the hearth and the two settled in front of the warm fire on a pillow, expectant gazes on their faces.

“Seems you have a job to do, Maddie.” Alex kissed her cheek and picked up Maeve and made his way to the hearth.

Jake held his hand out to Aline, who tucked her hand in his. Now how in hell was he to do this?

Once they were outside, Aline moved closer to him and Jake wrapped his arm around her. “Are you cold?”

“Aye. ‘Tis a cool night. I’ve missed you though. Everything has been so busy. I hope things will settle down. But none of it matters now that we are free of Hew Gordon. I cannot thank you enough, Jake. Your clan has done so much for us.”

He found a bench under a tree in a desolate area. He rubbed her hands, trying to keep them warm. Hellfire, he wished he’d asked someone how to go about this. Mayhap Loki could have given him some advice. Though he’d thought of countless ways to ask her to marry him, none had seemed any better than the next.