On A Highland Hill (Gunn Guardsmen) Page 12

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

  Elisa quickly slipped her feet into her slippers and pulled his tartan around her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

  “Alexander is at the keep. We will have to go through the back entrance.”

  “So that’s what kept you. Should I be worried?” her voice lowered, as if she needed to whisper.

  He touched her face and hoped to reassure her. “He believes we didn’t find you.”

  “Good. I’m starving, Kenneth. Will you bring me food when we get to Bree’s chamber? I need to eat something or else I shall be no good to anyone. I don’t doubt it will be a long night.”

  He felt like a heel for forgetting to bring back supper. “I’m sorry, Elisa, for I had intended on bringing you food. Alexander came and I couldn’t get away. I will bring you food as soon as we get there. Is there anything you need for Bree? Shall I get Gell up and in the kitchens?”

  “Aye, we’ll need boiled water and he might want to be there in case we need anything.”

  “I’ll get him for you. Anything else?”

  “Ask Gell for rowan berries. I need a lot of them at least a cup full.”

  “Rowan berries, aye.”

  Elisa let him take her hand to guide her in the dark. “Oh, and I shall need salt or butter, either will do. I will have Kait bring extra linens and I think that will cover it.”

  Kenneth laughed. “Aye it covers it. Are you afeared?”

  “Nay, why?” She looked at him oddly.

  “You’re squeezing my hand so tightly; I thought you’re mayhap scared.”

  Elisa loosened her hold. “I apologize. I didn’t realize. Nay, I’m just keen to have it over with. This is a special time, Kenneth; the birth of a bairn is always cause for excitement.”

  “How many bairns have you delivered?”

  Elisa tilted her head. “Only one, but I’ve helped birth many animals: horses, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and even a fawn once.”

  They neared the keep and Kenneth guided her around toward the back. There, by the back entrance stood the massive doors. Within the shadowy entrance stood a man who gave a low whistle.

  “Edwin, did Grey set you to watch?”

  The young sentry nodded. “Aye, he bid me to watch for you.”

  “Is it safe?” She looked up at him.

  “Aye, Grey will keep Alexander well into his cup. Come.” Kenneth took her hand and guided her into the dark hall, following Edwin. He couldn’t see ahead because the sentry’s tall body blocked the light from the only torch in the hallway. Edwin flapped his arm and threw himself against the wall.

  Kenneth then saw the reddish glow of Alexander’s hair in the dimmed light coming from the hall. There was nowhere to go. Elisa stood behind his back and he turned to envelope her in his arms. The only thing he could think to do was to kiss her.

  “Kenneth?”

  “Kiss me, kiss me now.” He pressed her body to the wall with his, and busied his lips against hers.

  He heard Alexander’s footsteps getting closer and then someone pulled him back. Kenneth was about to protest, knowing well who it was. Alexander stood there grinning.

  “Ah, I see you are busy, Kenneth. When you finish with her, send her to me. I could use some company.”

  “Sire? I cannot,” Kenneth said, pretended outraged.

  “Why the hell not? Am I not the king?”

  “Aye, you are, but she’s my wife.”

  Alexander tried to look around him to get a good look at Elisa, but Kenneth blocked his view. “I didn’t know you married. But damn, you’re surly about it, Kenneth. Must be love, eh? Have someone sent to me. I want company. Donal doesn’t have as comely women at his keep as Grey does,” he said, chuckling to himself, and shifted to try to see around him.

  Kenneth continued to block him. “Where is Grey?”

  “Sleeping with his head on the table as is Donal. They are not good hosts.” Alexander waved and continued on through the hallway to the back stairs.

  Kenneth noticed Elisa kept her head down and she followed him as they slowly took the steps to the bedchambers. When they reached the upper level, Alexander had disappeared into one of the chambers at the opposite end of the passage. He knocked at Grey’s chamber and his niece Sunny opened it. She came out into the hallway.

  “Uncle Kenneth!”

  He was surprised to see his niece at the keep because she’d gone on a visitation. “Sunny. My lovely lass, you’re back. When did you return?” He hugged her and noticed she’d grown a wee bit taller.

  “I just got back this afternoon. I didn’t want to stay long.”

  “I don’t blame you. How goes the McInnish clan?” Kenneth hated that Sunny went there for visits, but his stepmother insisted she see her granddaughter.

  “Do you really want to know? Grandma Helena is same as ever. She doesn’t ask about you, but I told her you were well. You must be Elisa? Mama told me all about you. I’m Sunny.”

  Kenneth had almost forgotten Elisa was behind him, he moved back against the wall so she could get by him. She looked back at Sunny and smiled as she passed by.

  “It is nice to meet you, Sunny. Kenneth, you promised to get Gell.” She entered the chamber and had reached Bree’s side.

  The door opened widely and he didn’t want to take notice of Bree lying so helplessly on the bedding. She didn’t appear to be in pain that is until he heard her moan.

  He wasn’t wanted to or needed here, so Kenneth left the hallway, knowing he was much better off trying to keep Grey composed after he’d roust him. Hell, he’d rather spend the night with Gell’s brashness taunting him than standing in wait outside a birthing room.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Elisa surveyed the chamber and rattled off the list of things to do in her head. “Kait, I’m glad you’re here. I shall need your assistance. Please remove the covering from the window.”

  Sunny stood by her side now. She wasn’t sure such a young lass should be inside the chamber witnessing a birthing. “I deem Sunny should leave. Nell, isn’t it? Will you please bring a bowl of cool water and some cloths?”

  “I am not leaving. This is why I have returned. I want to be here for Bree,” Sunny protested. “I promised her I’d be here during the birthing. Please don’t make me leave.”

  “How old are you?” Elisa asked.

  “I’m ten summers and I know how bairns are born. I’ve seen two births,” she exclaimed proudly.

  “Verily, you have? All right you may stay for a little while, but when I tell you to leave, you must. Your job will be to keep Bree occupied. Do you think you can do that?”

  She nodded.

  “Good. Check her garments and ensure any knots about her attire are untied,” Elisa instructed.

  “Why?” Sunny asked.

  “Best she be not be constricted. Kait, did you uncover the window?” Elisa knew she was being superstitious, but better to be than to have something go wrong. It was said to open all windows when a babe was birthing to allow easier entrance into the world. Though she wasn’t sure she believed such nonsense, she wasn’t about to test the fates.

  Elisa suspected it was going to be a long night since Bree hadn’t gotten any pains since she’d arrived. “Have you lost the fluids, Bree?”

  She nodded. “A short while ago.”

  Someone knocked on the door, and Elisa went to answer it. Gell stood with a bowl in his hand. She pulled the door closed behind her and took the bowl from him.

  “I heard ye was hungry, lass. Aye and here are the berries,” he said grumpily. “How’s milady? I wanted to check on her.”

  “I am hungry, Gell, thank you. Bree is coming along.” Elisa thanked Gell again for the rowan berries.

  “I’ll be in the kitchens if ye need me. Got me lads boiling water. Call for it if you need it.” Gell grumbled his well wishes to Bree through the door and left the hallway.

  The food smelled heavenly. Hopefully it wouldn’t bother Bree. Pregnant women
were so sensitive to smells. Elisa was starved and decided to eat it quickly before she reentered the chamber. She spooned in the stew, moaning in delight of its aroma and deliciousness.

  She was so focused on eating that she didn’t hear Kenneth approach behind her.

  “Here, I brought this.”

  She jumped a foot as he’d startled her. “Gracious, Kenneth. Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared me half to death.”

  “Didn’t mean to.” He kissed her cheek and handed her medicinal satchel to her. She bobbled it since her hands were full, holding the bowl and cup of berries.

  She’d thought she left the satchel behind at the village when they had abducted her. “Where did you find this? I thought I lost it.”

  “I grabbed it when you dropped it in the stables that day when we … Colm put it in his saddlebag and I’d forgotten about it.”

  In Elisa’s happiness, she wrapped her arms around him and brushed her lips against his. She almost spilled the rowan berries and the bit of pottage left in the bowl she held. When she pulled away from him, he hauled her to him and kissed her passionately. She was dazed by his show of desire.

  “Thank you, Kenneth. I thought this was lost to me forever. This will help a great deal.” Elisa almost wept at his kind gesture. The medicinal satchel was the only item she’d had on her when Domhnall had taken her from her village. And besides that, her mother had made it for her. It was her most prized possession.

  “I’ll await you downstairs. Send someone to fetch me when you’re finished.” He turned and left the hallway.

  Elisa reentered the chamber and noticed Bree rested comfortably and she didn’t appear to be having pains. While they waited, she began mixing the berries with additional herbs from her medicinal bag, ensuring the berries and herbs mixed well in the warm water in the cup.

  “Drink,” she instructed Bree, “It will lessen the pain and make you feel better during delivery.”

  Bree drank the brew down and afterward a pain came, this one stronger.

  Elisa went to check her and believed the bairn would soon make its entrance. “Kait, take a cool cloth and wipe Bree’s face. It will calm her. Sunny, you’re supposed to be distracting her. You’re not doing your job well.” She’d meant to tease the lass.

  Sunny giggled. “Sorry, Elisa, I was too caught up watching you.”

  While they waited for progress, Bree spoke to Sunny. “Tell me about your trip to the McInnish clan.”

  Elisa listened closely, hoping to hear something that would enlighten her about Kenneth.

  Sunny leaned on her elbows on the side of the bed. “Oh, I heard the most marvelous tale about a Red Lady. There’s a Red Lady who hides in the woods near the main keep. The clan believes she is there to hex them and that if you go into the woods she will eat you. They are all afeared.” She laughed and her girlish giggle lightened the mood of the chamber.

  Bree smoothed her cheek with a caress and smiled. “And what do you believe?”

  “I think she must be an angel there to bless them.”

  “Of course you do,” Bree said, and when the next contraction came she huffed and cried out.

  “Bree, you’re doing fine. When you feel like pushing, do so. Sunny, ‘tis time to leave.” Elisa thought she’d have to drag the lass out of there.

  “Bree! You know what day this is?” Sunny asked, excitedly as she walked toward the door.

  Elisa smiled at her for she was doing a good job at distracting Bree. “Out. You can tell her later.” But Sunny spoke louder and wasn’t about to be shut out until she finished. She held onto the doorjamb.

  “For it is Saturday and it is the first of the month. Aye, it is October. We’re to have a blessed bairn. Aye, he’ll be blithe and bonnie and good and gay!” Sunny began singing a ditty.

  “Monday’s child is fare of face,

  Tuesday’s child is full of grace,

  Wednesday child is full of woe,

  Thursday’s child has far to go,

  Friday’s child is loving and giving,

  But the child born on the Sabbath Day …

  is blithe and bonnie and good and gay…”

  Elisa pried her hand from the door and gave her a gentle shove to get her to leave. She closed the door on the sprite and turned to face Bree. “Shall we bring this bairn into the world?”

  Kenneth didn’t know what was taking so long. The sun began to show itself as he peered through the open doorway.

  “Go and ask if there’s any news.” Grey paced in front of the hearth for the thousandth time.

  “I checked ten minutes ago. If there were news, someone would come.”

  “Check anyway.” Grey looked about to fall to the floor as the sleepless night wore its mask on his worried face.

  Kenneth was about to take the steps when Kait came ambling down them.

  “Bree wants to see you, Laird.”

  Grey ran up the steps and didn’t wait for him. Kenneth took the stairs and saw the door opened. He stood by the doorway watching the emotional scene. Bree looked well enough, Kenneth thought, considering she’d just birthed a babe. At least she smiled. It was a good sign.

  “Grey, they have come. Meet your children,” Bree said.

  Kenneth leaned to his side to see beyond Grey when he’d heard the word ‘they.’ “There are two of them?”

  “A lad and a lass.” Elisa came to stand next to him in the doorway. “We have things to tend to before we can leave. The afterbirth must be buried since the sun is coming up. Someone will need to find two saplings to plant atop them.” Elisa stood watching Grey and Bree. Tears gathered in her eyes.

  He envied their show of love too.

  “Grey already had a spot chosen. I’ll have the guardsmen help me.”

  “Good, Kenneth. Makes sure the saplings are healthy and strong.” Elisa wiped her eyes.

  “I’m glad it’s autumn and the ground is still soft, for we’d have to await the spring thaw before we could plant them if the bairns were born any later.”

  He hoped the men didn’t shirk such an important duty, because the stronger the sapling the better the child would fare through life. It was said that a sapling which grew strong, so would the child. And if the sapling dropped its leaves and was ill, so would the child be weak. He wanted nothing but the best for the two bairns who just entered the world.

  “But first we’ll get you back to the cottage so you can rest.”

  “I am a bit tired. I let Kait rest most of the night so she would be able to help Bree this day. Sunny was a great help too. Was she … Greer’s daughter?”

  Kenneth nodded. “Sunny stayed with Bree and Grey since she was wee. Greer didn’t know how to be a father. She sometimes calls Bree mama, old habit. But Greer was her father.”

  “I’m sorry, Kenneth. I didn’t mean to pry. Shall we leave?”

  “Aye, let me say goodbye to Grey.” He approached his longtime friend and touched his shoulder. With a look, he said all he needed to. Grey rose and they bear-hugged each other. “The clan will be joyous when they hear. Will you make the announcement later today?”

  “I’ll have Duff call the clan together. It might have to await the morrow. I shall likely sleep the day away.”

  Grey nodded, looking as if he had tears in his eyes, for this was a joyful day for his friend and Kenneth was happy for him. He leaned forward to see the bairns who lay contentedly in their mother’s arms. A light kiss was placed on Bree’s cheek.

  “You’re the best thing that ever happened to Grey and to us.”

  “Oh, Kenneth, … thank you.” Bree smiled widely at his compliment.

  Kenneth turned and took Elisa’s hand. They had to elude Alexander and so he took the back exit and veered toward the lesser-known path. Only a few had risen for the day was still young. They passed the stables and Kenneth waved to Jonny who was carrying two buckets of water. The lad appeared to like working in the stables and probably got himself punished on purpose.

  “Kenn
eth, oh, there ye be! I was going to send for you.”

  “What is it, Jonny?”

  “’Tis your Black. He’s ill. Stewart told me to get you this morn, and said ye might want to come. I was going to come for you when I finished filling the troughs with water …”

  Kenneth knew something was wrong with his horse. He hadn’t been acting right of late, and he hadn’t been able to take him out again since his return. “I’ll come back and take a look at him.”

  Elisa stopped. “Kenneth, let us have a look at him now. If he’s ill we should do something.”

  “You’re tired. We should get you to the cottage and abed. You’ve had a long night.”

  Elisa walked into the stables and up the incline, dismissing him and he had no choice but to follow. Jonny opened the stall for her and she entered. Kenneth didn’t trust the Black, for he could be ornery and so he took the lead and held it in case the horse decided to be difficult.

  Elisa gasped when she beheld him. “He’s lost weight, hasn’t he? For you can now see his bones.” She opened the horse’s mouth. “His coloring is poor. Aye, his gums are too dark and there’s no pink anywhere. He must have infection.” She laid her head against his side, and the horse tried to rear, but Kenneth held fast, settling him. “He breathes with difficulty and I hear fluid. We must act hastily if we’re to save him.”

  “Can you save him?”

  “Mayhap, I’ll try. Jonny, I need you to run to Gell and bring back cabbage and chives. Hurry now. The cabbage will help his settle his stomach and the chives will help his breathing. I only hope it works. If not, he could die before the day is through.”

  She checked the Black’s eyes and continued to assess him until Jonny returned. Once she’d mixed the cabbage and herbs, she fed it to the horse, making sure it ate a good amount. At first the horse resisted eating, but then she spoke to him, encouraging him to eat. An hour had passed, and Kenneth paced outside the stall. She held the bucket until it was almost emptied, and he took it from her. He didn’t believe there was any hope.

  “I’ll have Jonny watch him and will check on him later.”

  Elisa pulled at his tartan over his shirt until it came loose and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Nay, we’ll sit here and keep watch. I won’t leave him. I cannot help the horse if I’m not here.”