The sun was bright and the spring festival was under way. Dunnottar Castle had been scrubbed clean from top to bottom the past three weeks and every room had been aired to accommodate the guests that would arrive for the festival.

“Ye’ve outdone yerself,” Allie complimented. “This is even better than last year.”

“Hush, Allie,” Elspeth said, suppressing a smile. “Ye’ll upset Judith.”

“Oh, no.” Judith Labert waved her hand. “Allie’s right. I could never do anything as sophisticated as this.” Judith was the wife of Charles Labert. They had met when he had gone on a hunting trip to Ireland, but instead of bagging any deer he had found Judith.

Though she came from humble stock, she was great fun, and livened even boring old Charles up infinitely. Elspeth always enjoyed having her over, especially when she saw Laird Labert interact with his grandsons.

“I tell ya, the old man keeps getting younger and younger each year. It’s the grandkids. He says he can’t bother with death when there’s so much life yet, to live. I’m glad to see you have another one on the way.”

Elspeth gasped and touched her flat tummy. “How did ye ken?” she asked. “I only found out yesterday. I have nae even told Bruce yet.”

“I have a nose for these things,” Judith said, tapping the side of her nose with a finger.

“Oh, Elspeth. Congratulations!” Allie said, and they hugged. “I must say, I’m jealous. Ye become even more bonny when yer with child.”

“Aye,” Judith agreed. “It’s unfair on us who become bridge trolls when we’re carrying.”

Elspeth laughed. “That is nae true. Ye both looked lovely when ye were pregnant.”

“Ye have nae told Bruce yet?” Allie asked.

“Nae. I was hoping to do so after the festival.”

“Ye should nae wait to share glad tidings. Go, find him. Tell him the good news.”

Elspeth but her lip and eyed the buffet table. The candied apples were running low, and they needed to put more roasted meat out. There were so many things to care for, she couldn’t possibly take the time away from hosting duties.

“We’ll handle the buffet table,” Judith assured her. “Go! Find your husband.”

Elspeth hesitated for only a fraction of a second then took up the offer and left to find Bruce. He wasn’t at the tent with the rest of the lairds, nor was he supervising the games on the green. Elspeth wondered if he was inside but could see no reason for him to be.

The years had been kind to them. They had known more happiness than they had sorrow. When Elspeth had fallen with child the first time, Bruce had been over the moon. But their happiness had come crashing down when she had lost the child within the fortnight. Elspeth had believed then that she would never be able to overcome that grief.

But more grief had been written in her destiny. There were days when she feared that she would never be able to give Bruce the heir he craved. A feeling of being incomplete had come between them. They didn’t talk about it, or give words to their fears, but the sense of it was palpable, like a cold corpse between them.

“Emory!” she called. Emory was standing by the archery range with Daniel, and Big Nate. “Have ye seen Bruce?”

“Aye,” Emory said, raising his goblet he pointed to the castle. “I think he’s at the back of the castle. He took some of the kids there.”

“Thank ye,” she said.

Bruce was great with children. Every spring festival, they gathered around him and he enjoyed planning activities to keep them busy. Their parents enjoyed a break and everybody was happy. He was especially well prepared when they hosted the spring festivals. Elspeth knew what they were doing and a memory from their childhood resurfaced.

It had been right here, decades ago, when she had asked if she could fly his kite, and Bruce had handed her the string without question. Little had they known in that moment that he was handing her the strings of his life.

Kites sailed the sky, painting the iridescent blue with reds, greens, and yellows. The Laughter of children provided the music that the wind snatched and carried with it, powering the kites to reach greater heights. In the middle of this cacophony of children, was Bruce Grant, a tall giant grown taller because he had little Jason Labert on his shoulders.

“Is everyone having a good time?” Elspeth asked, touching the shoulder of little Mary. The girl nodded, her golden pigtails bobbing on her shoulders.

“Look at that one, Elspeth,” Bruce said. He set Jason down gently and pulled her closer to him. It still set her legs to trembling when he touched her like that, intimate, and gentle. “That’s higher than I’ve ever managed to go. Good job, Andrew.”

“He’s only going this high because his father taught him to fly a kite since he was in swaddling clothes,” she said, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“Ma!” Andrew Grant protested. “Ye’ll make me lose my kite.”

“She’s good at that, son,” Bruce chuckled.

Elspeth nudged him with her elbow, frowning at him, but couldn’t make it last. Her sunny smile returned. It couldn’t stay suppressed. Where God had granted everyone, they knew two children or more in the past twelve years the Grants had been blessed with only one. And he was perfect. At nine, Andrew Grant had his father’s build and coloring, but his mother eyes. He was smart as a whip, and compassionate to a fault. She was extremely proud of him, and he made her smile, even when she didn’t feel like it.

Yes, they really had been blessed with more happiness than grief. Touching her abdomen gently she hoped God would permit her another. The midwife had said she was four months along and that the reason she wasn’t showing was because the baby was resting horizontal on her hips.

Four months. The only child she’d carried to four months and beyond was Andrew. This gave her hope that she’d be able to keep this child.

“Bruce. May I have a word in private?” she asked.

“Of course. Is anything the matter?” he asked. “Is Charles boring the heads off people again? Or do ye need me to take the men out on a hunt to distract them from the ale kegs?”

“Nae,” she laughed. “None of that. I needed to tell ye something. I do nae want ye to get yer hopes up, but since I only just found out I cannae keep it from ye.”

“What is it, my love?” he asked, taking her hands within his. The wind buffeted against them and whipped their hair and clothes, catching at them, trying to grasp their attention, but they were looking at each other and when that happened thew world ceased to exist. “Yer worrying me.”

Elspeth sighed and it all came out in a tumble. “I’m with child.”

Bruce paled. “But… the midwife said… yer too weak. She said ye could nae-”

“I ken. But it’s a miracle, Bruce. I’m four months along.”

It was only then that Bruce allowed himself to be relieved, and somewhat happy. They had been stung so many times with disappointment and sorrow that even good news was taken with a pinch of salt, and lots of prayer.

“And yer certain ye do nae feel poorly?” he asked.

“Nae.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “I’ve been told I look mighty bonny when I carry yer bairns.”

“Yer always bonny, my Elspeth. To me yer the most beautiful lass on earth. And ye ken that I do nae need for ye to put yer life in danger to give me bairns. I am happy with our Andrew. I am happy with our life.”

“I ken, and I made nae effort to fall pregnant which is why I feel this one will go the whole way.”

“That’s it then.” Bruce clapped his hands decisively. “Yer going to bed, young lass. And yer nae stepping out until I tell ye yer good and ready.”

“Bruce!” Elspeth laughed. “We have guests.”

“Aye, we have guests every three years. They ken all about the castle and where to get what. Last night I caught Domnhall rooting through the linen closet looking for fresh sheets. They are all our family, and they will understand why ye cannae be in attendance. Come, let me be the healer for once.”

Sighing Elspeth allowed herself to be walked back inside the castle. A lay in sounded ideal now that she thought on it. They reached their chambers, and Bruce helped her undress. Once she was in bed, he caressed her abdomen. Lying down they could see it was a little raised. He kissed her belly.

“Ye make me so happy. Ye have been naught but a fount of joy for me, Elspeth.”

“Lay with me a while, Bruce,” she said, extending her arms. “Lay with me until I fall asleep.”

Bruce lay beside her, his arm snaked protectively around her waist. Together, they dreamed a brighter future for them and their family.

If you haven’t already, please leave your review on Amazon

Readers who enjoyed this book also bought

★★★★★ 201 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 127 ratings

Read the book

★★★★★ 186 ratings

Read the book