Page 27 of Marry the Highland Villain (Breaking the Highland Rules #1)
EPILOGUE
ONE WEEK LATER
“Lily says we should come to visit. She has some new medicines, and Valerie has been makin’ clothing for us as a belated wedding gift.” Brigid smiled at Conall as she finished reading her sister’s letter, which had just arrived.
Conall smiled softly. “Och, I dinnae see why we cannae visit, but ’twill have to be after the spring plantin’ is finished. I cannae leave the lands until then.”
Brigid pouted a bit, but her expression showed no true anger or distress as she nodded. “Och, I understand. Mayhap around midsummer? We could collect them from the cottage and bring them here for the Midsummer Feast?”
Conall considered the suggestion while he spooned porridge, with honey and fresh milk, into Brigid’s bowl. “Aye. I could be convinced to do so.”
“And I think my sisters will have made a decision about joinin’ Clan MacKane by then.” Brigid looked contemplative. “Though, would ye be able to claim them as yer clanfolk, even if they continued livin’ in the cottage?”
Conall thought about it. “Ye said they live in an area unclaimed by any clan?”
Brigid nodded. “If there’s any clan that claimed the land, I never kenned aught about it. I’m thinkin’ that my father’s reputation and his old crew keep the lairds nearby from claimin’ the land.”
“Then I can claim it with the blessing of yer elder sister.”
Brigid blinked. “Ye might need Valerie’s as well. She’s the one who kenned Father’s men and his crew the best.”
“Then I’ll ask both of them if that’s what they’d choose when we see them at midsummer.”
Brigid’s answering smile filled his heart with warmth and coaxed a small smile from him in return.
He was contemplating what might be required to claim the territory around Blackwood’s estates when Oliver came in. Conall took one look at his brother and straightened in his chair.
“Oliver?” he said sharply, a stab of fear making him suddenly alert.
His brother looked dazed, and he actually stumbled up to the chair he usually occupied.
Conall kicked the chair out so his brother could fall into it. “Oliver… what ails ye?” he asked, worried.
“’Tis nae me.” Oliver blinked at him. “’Tis Emily.”
Conall sat forward, his concern heightening at his brother’s words. “Is she ill? Is she hurt? What is…”
“She’s with child.” The words fell into the middle of his question and silenced him faster than a punch to the gut.
“She’s what?”
“She’s with child,” Oliver repeated, looking stunned by his own words. “Mayhap a moon or so along. She just told me.” He looked as if he’d been hit across the head by a mace. “Conall, I’m goin’ to be a father.”
“Och, ‘tis wonderful news,” Brigid said, smiling delightedly at her brother-in-law. “How is she feelin’? My mother said she was ill for a while when she was carryin’ myself and my sisters.”
“She’s… she didnae want aught but mint tea.” Oliver blinked again. Then, he looked at Brigid, his expression clearing slightly. “Do ye ken aught about childbirth, Brigid?”
“My sister Lily kens more than I do, but I’ve helped with livestock births a time or two,” Brigid replied, rather taken aback by his sudden focus on her.
“And can ye ask yer sister to help, d’ye think?” he said, leaning forward eagerly. “Ye’ll be here to help Emily?” He lurched out of his chair to hover in front of her.
“Och, of course. Of course, I will. Ye dinnae need to worry about that.” Brigid reached out and put a hand on his arm.
Conall tensed up, ready to intervene if needed. Though Oliver had ceased to be angry and openly distrustful toward Brigid, their relationship had remained distant and uncertain.
To his surprise, though, Oliver bent and embraced Brigid, his expression filled with relief. “Och, thank ye. Thank ye. I ken ye’re a good friend to her, and I ken ye’ll help her as well or better than any other could manage. Thank ye.”
Brigid froze. “Ye…”
Oliver stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said, looking as surprised by his sudden warmth as anyone else. “I didnae mean to…”
Brigid lurched out of her chair and wrapped her arms around him. “Ye dinnae need to apologize. I was just surprised. Ye’ve never shown any desire to be kind to me. I thought ye barely tolerated me, for Conall’s sake.”
“Nae since ye and Conall reconciled.” Oliver shook his head. “Conall and I talked after Auchter died. I was angry when ye were apart, when it looked like ye might break his heart, but now… I’m nae. I’ve nae felt any anger or dislike toward ye for some days now.”
Brigid smiled, though her eyes were sparkling with tears. “Well then, I’m glad. I’m glad to finally be friends with ye, Oliver. And I’ll be glad to help Emily in any way she needs me.”
“Aye.” Oliver smiled back, his lips twitching as he looked at her. “I’m only sorry it took a few thumpings from my brother and my wife for me to realize what a fool I was.”
Brigid gestured for Oliver to sit. Conall watched them talk, pleased for both his wife and his brother.
On the other hand, the mention of children had elicited feelings within him he could not begin to fathom. Although he was happy for his brother, his impending fatherhood reminded him of something the council would soon be making hints about: a child. An heir for Clan MacKane.
He finished his meal, then waited for Brigid to finish hers before standing and wrapping her in his arms.
“I need a word with ye,” he said quietly. “In private.”
Brigid giggled as she kissed his jaw and stood to follow him. Oliver gave him a knowing smile as they walked away.
Conall led Brigid into an alcove. “So, Emily is havin’ a bairn,” he began without preamble. “An’ ye’ll be helpin’ her with the childbirth?”
“Aye. Though I’ll ask Lily for whatever advice she can give me.” Brigid nodded. Then, she raised an eyebrow and gave him a coaxing look. “But I dinnae think that’s what ye wanted to speak to me about, is it, Conall?”
“It was one of the things I wanted to speak to ye about. But more than that…” Conall smiled down at his wife, taking her chin in a gentle grip. “Now that we’re married, I was thinkin’ mayhap ‘tis time we try for a bairn of our own.”
Brigid’s eyes brightened with emerald fire. “Ye want a bairn?”
“Aye. I ken my council will want me to have sons—and as quickly as possible. However…” Conall bent close and kissed her, tasting the porridge and honey on her lips. “I wouldnae mind a passel of daughters. Especially if they’re all like their mother.”
Brigid laughed again and leaned up to kiss him back, her arms wrapping around his shoulders as she drew him closer.
Conall laughed with her and pulled her into his arms, then drew her toward their rooms.
The End?