The Brightest Star in the Highlands: Jennie and Aedan (Clan Grant Series Book 7) (22 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jennie vowed she would go help dear Maddie, but what if the wailing returned? She was just so frightened to try working as a healer again, too happy with her new life. She squeezed her husband’s hand as she followed Alex over to a rock, grateful Aedan had insisted on coming with her.

Once at the rock, Alex pointed and said, “Sit. You will hear me out.”

Jennie nodded and sat down. She loved her brother and would listen to what he had to say, though unsure of what he wished to tell her. She loved it at Aedan’s. The wailing in her dreams had stopped; the wailing that disrupted her waking hours had stopped. If she returned to healing, she was sure the wailing would return. The haunting cries had driven her almost to a permanent state of daftness, and it had grown worse with every passing day she spent on Grant land.

“Jennie, are you upset because of the wailing?”

“Aye.” She peeked up at him, unsure of what he would say next.

“I brought you to the abbey because we thought you needed to come to this on your own. ‘Twas Brenna’s idea, but…I cannot wait any longer. Maddie’s life is at stake, so forgive me, but I must.”

“Alex, I know not what you are about. Where are you going with this?”

He paced in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back. “Do you recall the day our mama died?”

“Nay. I recall the day Papa died, but not Mama.”

He turned to gaze into her eyes. “Because you will not allow yourself to remember.”

She frowned, still confused. “I still do not understand.”

“I will remind you, and I think you will understand. Please be patient. When Mama was ill, Da was away. When he returned, he was in complete shock to find her near death. I remember standing in her chamber when Da came in, and you and Robbie were with me.

“Brenna had many candles going, not of the typical lavender scent that Mama loved, but a medicinal type that was to help her lungs. Mama had accepted her fate, but she hung on for a long time with her fever, hoping she would be able to say good-bye to Da. She was lying in the bed, and the candles were lit, but she would not awaken. You and I were standing opposite the bed, and Robbie was standing next to it, singing to her because she loved it. Da came into the room and took one look at her and wailed harder than I have ever heard any man, falling across the bed and throwing himself into her arms.”

Jennie stared at Alex, bits and pieces falling into place. She hung her head because all of a sudden, the memory was returning. She could smell the candles, could almost hear Robbie singing.

“Brodie and Brenna were not there, just you and me and Robbie. There was a small pillow on the bed and you grabbed it when Da came in, though I know not why.” Alex paused and stared up at the night sky. “‘Twas a terrible moment in my memory, so I do not know how it could be anything but bad in yours.” His hands fell to his sides and he turned to gaze into her eyes.

“The wailing you hear at night is our da’s. Da yelled and hollered and sobbed like I have never seen any man do before. He lay on the bed and sobbed his eyes out, cradling Mama on his lap. Robbie stopped singing, and I froze, unsure of what to do, and eventually walked out of the room.”

“But where did we go?”

“
We
did not go anywhere. You and Robbie stayed. I was in such a rush to get away, I left you there. When I remembered and returned to the chamber, Papa was still wailing.” He sighed.

“And Robbie and I?”

“Robbie was holding the pillow against one of your ears and his hand against your other. You were screaming.”

“What was I saying?” She did not need to ask, because she
knew
. The memory of grabbing onto Robbie and telling him to make it stop, please make it stop was so vivid it was as if she were living it again. Was that how Alex remembered it?

“You were screaming at Robbie to make it stop.”

Tears flooded her face and she leaned into her husband. “I said it over and over again, did I not?”

“Aye, and the two of you hid.”

She sobbed as she clutched her husband’s hands. “In the corner. I tried to hide in the corner under the table. Robbie climbed under there with me and kept holding my ears, but I wouldn’t stay still for him. And Papa just kept wailing. ‘Twas horrible.”

“Aye. I am so sorry I left you behind. ‘Twas only a minute or two before I remembered you remained in the chamber.”

“But then you came in and picked me up. And you took me away from the wailing. Just like you have always done.” She stood up and fell against her brother, wrapping her arms around him. “You have always been there for me, always protected me, always held me when I needed you. Alex, I’m sorry.” She clung to her brother, but then took a step back.

She swiped at her tears and turned to her husband. “’Tis true. ‘Tis my father’s wailing I hear at night. ‘Tis not the men’s, ‘tis my da’s. I do not know why.”

Alex whispered and kissed her forehead. “I do. Because the wailing of the wounded men has brought you back to the memories of that night, I am sure of it. You chose to forget it, and it worked for many years. But now, I think it needed to come out.”

Jennie kissed his cheek, then her husband’s. “Come, we mustn’t wait any longer.”

Alex let out his breath. “Good. Because if anything happens to my Maddie, I will wail much louder than Da ever did.”

***

When they arrived at the Grant keep, Aedan helped her down and said, “Go. I’ll take care of our things.”

She gave him a quick kiss and ran up the steps to the great hall, then headed straight up to Maddie’s chamber. When she stepped inside, the first thing she noticed was how pale Maddie was. She was still alive, but her breathing was shallow and she had most definitely lost quite a bit of blood.

“How long has the bairn been trying to come out, Caralyn?” Poor Caralyn was exhausted, even though Alice and Fiona, Maddie’s maids, were both there to assist her.

“Three days. I cannot make the bairn turn. The babe comes feet first, and I have found one foot, but cannot locate the other.”

Alice was near tears. “Can you do something, Jennie? Please?”

Jennie walked to the chest and washed her hands and her face. The bed was soaked in blood, and Maddie was covered in it as well. All of a sudden, Maddie grunted and sat up. Just as she did, Alex bolted into the room.

“Jennie, I have to push again and naught happens. I do not have the strength. Let me go. I am too weak.”

Alex climbed into bed behind his wife and pushed her into a sitting position.

“Alex, I cannot do this. I’m sorry, but I cannot continue.” She shoved at her husband with what little energy she had left.

“Aye, you will continue, Madeline. I always give in to your requests, but no’ this one. You will push. Do you hear me? And I will help you.”

“Alex, please. ‘Tis too painful, too hard…” She drifted off and closed her eyes. “I’m too tired.”

“Maddie!” Alex shouted in her ear.

“Alex, give her a few minutes rest. Allow me to check her over.”

Jennie spread Maddie’s legs apart and inserted her fingers to see what she could feel. Just as Caralyn had said, she quickly latched onto a wee foot. She moved her fingers as far as she could, but could not find the other foot.

Maddie suddenly leaned forward and began to push again, so Jennie said, “Alex, help her bear down. She needs to push the baby in this direction. Caralyn, lean against her belly right here and see if we can twist the bairn just a bit while she’s pushing.”

Jennie could feel the powerful pulse of the womb pushing on her fingers, but she kept searching. Just as she was about to give up, Caralyn pushed in the right spot and something seemed to give way.

“I’ve got it. I think I have the other foot.” She waited for Maddie to slow so she could move her hand and grasp the extremity a bit better. The look on Maddie’s face told her she was hurting, but she continued, knowing that her brother’s wife had a high threshold for pain.

She finally had a good grip, so she waited until Maddie felt the need to push again. As soon as she moaned, Jennie said, “Alex, push on her belly, too.”

While Alex, Maddie, and Caralyn all pushed, Jennie pulled. A moment later, the bairn slid out in a rush of water, and Maddie moaned with relief. Alice was there to help her get the bairn breathing and clean, and it seemed to take forever, but the wean let out a weak cry, though it was strong enough to improve her color. Alice and Jennie cleaned her up, then handed her to Caralyn.

“Alex, congratulations. You finally have your yellow haired daughter. She’s a wee one. You must keep her verra warm.” Maddie fell back on the bed and was fast asleep while Alex reached for his new daughter, cooing soft words to her. As soon as she nestled into her sire’s warm arms, the bairn quieted.

“My thanks, Jennie.” Alex whispered, unable to tear his eyes from his new daughter. “Will Maddie be all right?”

All of a sudden, Jennie said, “Caralyn, I need your help. Alex. Outside.” Alex looked at her as if he wanted to argue, but he took one look at the blood on her hands and left the room.

She and Caralyn worked and worked, though Maddie never moved. A few hours later, she finally had things back in order. They had changed the bed and cleaned Maddie up, so Jennie stepped out to see Alex.

Her brother gave her a look of worry that shot straight to her heart, but she had to be honest with him. “Alex, I am sorry, but I don’t think Maddie will be able to have another bairn. There was a problem with what came out after. My apologies.”

His face was gray. “But Maddie will be all right? I don’t care about more bairns, Jennie. We have five. ‘Tis plenty, but my Madeline?”

“I think she will be in good shape in a moon or so. ‘Twas much more difficult for her, and she is weak, but with time, she should come back hearty. You must allow her to stay abed for a while. She can nurse the bairn, but that is all. Someone else must mind the other bairns.”

“We can handle that. We are a family. The whole clan will band together to help. My thanks.” He gave his new daughter to Alice and hugged Jennie. “May I see her?”

“Aye, but allow her to sleep when she needs it.”

Alex hurried into the room, and Jennie moved over to peer at her new niece in Alice’s arms. “She is quite a beauty. She looks just like Maddie.”

Caralyn came up behind her. “Thank goodness you came when you did, Jennie. This could have been disastrous.”

“Nay, you are a wonderful healer, Caralyn. You kept her going until I could get here.”

Caralyn hugged Jennie, then stepped back, holding her at arms’ length. “I have much to learn, and I work hard, but I do not have the gift you do, Jennie. You are the gifted healer.”

Alice nodded. “Aye, I hope you will continue to heal. ‘Tis your nature, lass.”

Jennie thought for a moment before declaring, “It is my nature. I agree with you. I hope that the wailing will end so I can return to my life’s work.” Working on Maddie had settled a few things in her mind. Seeing her niece delivered and the look of gratitude on her brother’s face convinced her that she was indeed in the right vocation.

Alice winked at her as they all gazed at the newest Clan Grant member. “Wait until a laddie tries to get near this one."

Chapter Twenty-Four

About a sennight later, the Grants were seated in various areas in the great hall, most of the guards and their families had gone home after the evening meal. Maddie continued to improve but remained abed, sleeping frequently. The mood was quiet and peaceful. While the maids cleaned the trestle tables, Celestina read to the bairns near the hearth, and Alex circled the room, cooing to his new daughter whom they had christened Elizabeth after Maddie’s mother.

Aedan and Jennie moved up to the parapets, their favorite place in the Grant keep. “Seems I must build a parapet around our castle. I do believe we are closer to the stars up here.”

Jennie leaned against her husband, and he tucked her in close. The nights were cool, as was oft the case in autumn in the Highlands. “Do you know when I fell in love with you, Aedan Cameron?”

He nuzzled her neck. “Nay, tell me, please.”

“‘Twas that night on the hill, flat on our backs staring at the night sky. Every lad I had ever met talked of naught but fighting and warring and being the strongest in all the land. But you? The Chieftain of the Camerons spoke of dreams and knowledge and curiosity, all the things so dear to my heart. I knew we were meant to be together that night.”

He ran his hand up and down her arm to warm her. “I admit I had the same inkling. Not many lasses can read, and that alone I found quite enticing. Though since then, your passion has impressed me.”

Jennie poked him in the belly with her elbow.

“Oof.” His eyes widened as he reacted to her jab. “That’s wrong of me? To love my wife’s passion?”

“Nay, but I like it better when you speak of my mind and my love for knowledge.”

He kissed her neck. “I’ll try to remember that.”

She started to speak again, but Aedan pointed toward the pathway that led from the village to the portcullis. “We have visitors.”

Squinting, she studied the group. “Aye, you are correct, and I think they bear the Cameron flag.”

Aedan nodded. “Come, we must greet them.” He held the heavy door open and they made their way down the staircase, through the passageway, and into the great hall. They stepped inside just as Robbie opened the front door and held it for two guards.

“Delivery for you, Aedan. A package of some kind.”

Aedan’s face lit up. “Finally, the treasure has arrived.” He took the package and carried it over to one of the trestle tables in a place where all could see, his other hand still locked with Jennie’s. He beckoned to the others to join them.

Brodie followed him, moving from the hearth. “The treasure? Is this the treasure that caused many of the problems in your land? The treasure that Dermid wanted?”

Aedan tugged Jennie next to him and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Aye, ‘tis the troubled treasure. Funny that they had no idea what it was. Had they, they would have reacted differently, but I never told anyone.”

Jennie asked, “You sent for it?”

“Aye, I did. ‘Twas quite a while ago. It came from Europe.”

“But why?”

Alex had stopped to share in the conversation. Robbie, Brodie, Celestina, Caralyn, Loki, Ashlyn, and all the wee ones found their way over to the table, anxious to see what was inside the package.

“‘Tis not verra big,” Loki said.

“Nay. I would have expected it to take two carts to get here given all the trouble it caused.” Alex patted his daughter’s bottom as she slept inside a plaid against his chest.

Aedan held his hand up to quiet the group. “I sent for this package when a certain lass caught my fancy.” He tipped his head toward Jennie, then offered it to her. “Open it, wife. Consider it your wedding gift from me.”

Jennie’s eyes sparkled as she reached for the package and carefully untied the twine securing it. “I have no idea what it is.”

“I bet it’s jewels,” Ashlyn said, bouncing up and down, her hands resting on the side of the table.

“Mayhap a tiara,” Celestina offered with a grin. “One full of gemstones. You’ll look like a queen, Jennie.”

Caralyn clasped her hands together. “Aye, a silver one with sapphire stones in it. Or a velvet mantle.” Her brow puckered. “But that would be too big for the package.”

Gracie said, “Red ribbons. I hope ‘tis ribbons and matching slippers.”

In their excitement, they had all surrounded the table, anxious for Jennie to open it.

Loki interrupted, “Slippers, tiaras, ribbons, these are not things Jennie would want. Mayhap ‘tis of real value. A jeweled dagger for you, Jennie.”

When Jennie removed the wrapping and the twine from the package, she gazed inside and her hand came up to her mouth. “Ohhh, Aedan.”

“What is it?” Gracie whispered, still too short to be able to see inside, so she bounced in an attempt to view the treasure.

Jennie lifted a book out of the package, fingering the leather binding. When her eyes settled on the title, she gasped and fell to the bench by the table. “Aedan? Where did you find this?” She opened the cover carefully and let her fingers caress the fine vellum, then opened it further to see the text written with a careful hand.

“What is it, Jennie?” Alex peered over her shoulder, perplexed.

She sighed. “‘Tis a volume about the blood vessels of the body and the workings of the heart.”

Multiple groans echoed through the air as the many onlookers fell back, no longer interested in the tome, and the weans raced back to the hearth with Celestina. Brodie, Robbie and Caralyn, and Alex remained.

Robbie asked, “Where did it come from? Why is this a treasure? I am confused.”

Aedan explained. “I heard about it from the monks at the abbey. We often have visiting monks from foreign lands, bringing new items or messages. I often meet with them just to learn more about what goes on outside of our land and England. I find it so interesting to see the new products and foodstuffs being grown in other parts of the world.

“Sorry, I digress. One of the monks is particularly interested in healing and the anatomy of the body. There is an Arab physician who believes the blood moves from the heart and into the lungs before it travels to the rest of the body. His thinking is radical since it counters the views of Galen, the Roman physician who has inspired many of our modern beliefs in medicine. Galen believed that the blood comes in the right side of the heart and leaves directly from the left. The monks told me there are many at the universities in Europe that believe this new theory to be true. I thought you would enjoy reading it.”

Jennie swiped at the tears fighting to roll down her cheeks. He had remembered what she had said about her fascination with the workings of the body. She fingered the volume, then moved it because there was something else underneath it, something she could hardly see through her tears. “And this part of the gift?” She lifted it from the package and set it on the table.

Aedan said, “That’s the true treasure.”

Robbie ran his fingers across it. “What is it? I have never seen anything like it. ‘Tis many of them here.”

The others touched the neat stack, clearly mystified by it.

Brodie picked a piece up and smelled it, holding it carefully so as not to bend it in his fingers. “The aroma is pleasing, but what is it used for?”

Alex leaned over Brodie’s shoulder. “Dermid wished to kill for that pile of thin casings? But why?”

“Dermid had no idea what was in the package, just that it was of value. You’d be surprised by how many of them are in that neat stack. ‘Tis much more compact than aught else we have used,” Aedan explained. “They call it paper. ‘Tis what they expect to replace parchment and vellum. The monks said ‘twould be much easier to use for writing, so I sent for some. I promised to share some with them, but do you remember how you talked about drawing the inside of the body?”

Jennie gazed at her husband, so taken aback by his thoughtfulness, she was unable to speak.

He continued, “I thought it would make it easier for you to create your diagrams, and they say it keeps well. The monks told me ‘twas first made in China years ago, but it has found its way to Europe. They will be able to make it in large quantities someday, instead of making parchment from sheep skin. This was purchased in France. ‘Twas verra expensive, which is why someone deemed it a treasure, though I never called it such. I have oft wondered how this became known as a treasure.”

Brodie picked up one piece and ran it through his fingers, curiosity getting the best of him. “‘Tis not made from animals? Then where does it come from?”

“‘Tis made from wood, which is plentiful. They say it will be everywhere someday.” He turned his attention to his wife, tears now flooding down her cheeks. “Are those happy tears? What do you think, Jennie?”

Jennie stood and stared at her husband. “I think ‘tis the most beautiful present I have ever seen. I love it, and I love you, Aedan Cameron.”

She kissed her husband, and her family turned to leave. “Brothers, wait a moment. Please.”

Robbie, Alex, and Brodie turned around, and Caralyn headed over to the hearth, where Celestina was once again reading to the other bairns.

“Alex, you were correct about the wailing. I have not had a bad dream since we spoke of it.”

“Nay? Good, I am pleased, Jennie. And my thanks for saving Maddie.”

She walked over to Robbie and wrapped her arms around her brother.

“What is the reason for this?” He quirked his brow while he returned her hug.

“‘Tis a belated thank you.”

“For what?”

“For taking care of your wee sister. For sitting under a table with me and trying to cover my ears when I needed it.”

“You remember?” Robbie glanced at Alex, who nodded.

“Aye. Coming home has helped me recall many things. I appreciate how much you have all taken care of your wee sister. I needed each of you. Alex, you were like a father to me, Robbie, you covered my ears when I needed it most, and Brodie, you helped me to grow up strong and find the right man for me.”

Brodie kissed her cheek and patted her husband on the back. “She’s all yours, Cameron. Take good care of her.”

Robbie added, “Aye, we
will
be watching.”

Alex pursed his lips, rubbing his daughter’s soft hair. “Seems the time has finally come when I must lose my dear sister.”

Jennie smiled. She saw the tears in Alex’s eyes before he spun on his heel and began cooing to his daughter again.