Page 6 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)
Maitland
Maitland strode into the great hall with wee Grant tied to his chest, facing out, while he held Maeve’s hand. He’d never known such joy as he’d experienced since he’d married Maeve, the exhilaration of holding their son in his arms, something that had brought him to tears on more than one occasion. And the lad’s smile was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
After many discussions, they’d decided to call the lad Grant. Maeve couldn’t call him Alex because it reminded her of her father. Sandor was already taken. Their last choice was either Graham or Grant, and they both preferred Grant.
Maitland had been married once before, had thought to have a child one day, but he and his wife had been kidnapped and held in a dungeon by the English, both beaten, but the true torture was when he’d been separated from her by a stone wall, not thick enough to prevent him from hearing her cries of pain as she delivered their bairn, both dying within an hour.
He carried many scars from those times, but he’d promised Maeve not to dwell on the past and to look to their future. He did his best to honor that promise, though he fell back into the darkness occasionally.
But this wee laddie of theirs brought him out with his smile, his wee fists, his kicking legs, and the way his gaze would lock on his father. As Maitland stepped into the hall, Grant began to kick with excitement because of the bairns near the hearth and the hall full of people laughing and enjoying the meal.
The first one to see him was Brigid who flew out of her seat. “Maitland! Maeve! I’ve been so excited to see you and that sweet bairn.”
Suddenly surrounded by well-wishers, wee Grant bounced more and more. Brigid reached for the bairn, Maitland helping to remove him from the wrapped plaid he was tucked into. “Come to me, sweet bairn. We’ve all waited so long for you to arrive!”
Grant gurgled and kicked, his fist in his mouth whenever he could calm enough to do so. Brigid bussed both cheeks, and the lad smiled. “I love the name, Maeve. Maitland, have you seen your parents yet?”
“Nay, they are on the next ship, I hope. In a day or two, they should arrive.”
Dyna said, “We need Avelina here to help us figure out what’s going on with my daughters.” She shook her head and rolled her eyes at Brigid.
“Gwyneth, you have a new device?” Maeve asked.
“Aye,” she said, joining the group on her own. “And I think Jennet has done a fine job.” Gwyneth nearly teared up but swiped the tears away. “My niece and nephew have given me some freedom.”
Logan drawled, “And my back too.” No matter what the man said, everyone knew Logan would still carry Gwynie wherever she wished to go.
While everyone fussed over Grant and Brigid and Gwyneth, Maitland nodded to Logan and tipped his head toward the solar. Connor entered just in time for Maitland to motion for him to join them. He turned around, not surprised to see the wee odd lass named Lia standing right next to the baby and Brigid. The lass was surely taken with their son.
Maitland motioned to Alycia. “Three ales, if you please.”
Once she’d brought them their goblets, she left and closed the door behind her, smiling extra at Maitland.
Logan said, “You better ignore all those lasses’ eyes, Menzie. Or Connor will have you at the end of his sword. He’ll uphold his sister’s honor.”
Connor laughed at Logan. “Maitland does not have wandering eyes. I’ve never seen him so happy. And my sister too. It pleases me to see Maeve settled.”
“You were fortunate to have the one bairn because Maeve is up in age. Probably the only one for you,” Logan added.
“One bairn is enough for me, and I’ll never want another. I adore my wife.” Maitland stopped to stare up at the rafters. “I never thought I’d love another at all, but my love for Maeve grows stronger every day. I will protect them both with my life, Connor.”
“I know that, Menzie. Did I hear someone outside say your sire is on his way?”
“Aye, my parents are on their way. My mother cannot wait to see Grant. You’d think it was her first grandbairn.”
Connor shook his head. “That’s not why she’s coming.”
Maitland frowned and looked from the old chieftain to Logan, who said, “Connor is right. She’s coming to see her son with his son. No better happiness in the world.”
Connor said, “I loved seeing Sylvi when she was born, but I was more taken by the joy on Dyna’s face. Avelina and Drew are coming for that, not the bairn. He’s a secondary reason. Especially after all you’ve been through, Maitland.”
Maitland couldn’t argue with their reasoning. His difficulties had indeed been reflected in his parents’ mannerisms. “Either way, I’m pleased they’ll soon be here. You will stay, Connor?”
“Aye. Dyna has begged us. Sela talked with her last eve, and Dyna convinced her to stay. She was feeling the need to return, but with Astra here and Dyna still unsettled, we agreed to stay another fortnight. Sela said she’d send word for Hagen to come with the next group if he wishes.”
Logan said, “We’re staying. Gwynie is thrilled with that contraption. We have enough family to keep us busy for a while. Something happening, Maitland?”
“Nay, but I heard you visited Clan Rankin. And thanks for the brew. Derric will be visiting for some training,” he said with a grin. “Especially if he can get more of any fine beverage.”
“Tell him to talk to Dermot. I think he knows where it’s hidden,” Logan said with a smirk. “The elders always keep track of the finest barrels. I wish I had brewed some.”
“My sire will bring more wine, though we had a good supply here, which was wonderful.” Maitland took a swig of his ale, then said, “Tell all, Logan. I’m waiting.”
Logan sighed. “There is some fool who believes it would be easy to conquer the entire isle. I’ve told his friend how reckless an endeavor it is, especially now that there are so many Grant guards here, but he’s young and stupid. Thinks I’m an old buffoon.”
Connor snorted. “I don’t think anyone has ever had a conversation with you and walked away with the idea that you’re a fool, Ramsay. Old, mayhap, but never a fool.”
“And?” Maitland persisted. “You tried to distract me, Logan. I want the whole story. Why did you go to Sloan?”
“Because the idiot said he’s going after Rankin first. No idea when, but I told Sloan he needed to be ready. He said they’ve been training more ever since Rowan was stolen away, but he’s not pleased yet. That’s when I offered Derric’s sword-skill help in exchange for some brew. He’s glad to make that exchange.”
“Hellfire.” Maitland stood and moved over to the window, pulling the two furs back to stare out over the landscape.
“Don’t get too upset. I don’t think their forces are that strong,” Logan said.
Maitland spun back around. “You don’t know who they are. What if they’re Norse? Or Sutherlands or someone else with massive numbers? These isles are ripe for overtaking. If I had known this, I would not have brought my wife and son here, Logan. This isle is in a state of unrest, not where my family belongs.”
Connor stood up and placed a hand on Maitland’s shoulder. “You have many supporters here. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll send a score of guards to Rankin land. I’m sure we’ll receive word when it happens, and we’ll be there to help.”
“And how many will we have left to protect our bairns here? I should have told my sire to bring a score of guards.”
Connor said, “We can send for more, if you think they are necessary. We may not get the horses here, but we’ll have a good number of men to protect the castle.”
“That’s what I want, Connor. I want a hundred guards to protect everyone in the castle. Mayhap that sounds foolish, but how many total do we have now? I counted around four score.”
“I have a score with MacQuarie. I can call them back anytime.”
“Nay, but please call for another score or two. We’ll build another stable if we must.”
“You still have plenty of room, but I can request more pallets and blankets.”
“Aye, request more grain, more ale along with the pallets and blankets. More swords.” Maitland tugged on his hair, feeling helpless. “More. We need more of everything.”
He was glad his mother was coming. With her odd gifts paired with Dyna’s seeing abilities, surely they’d be warned if anything were to happen. Maitland would not survive anything happening to Maeve and their bairn.
He’d surely die of a broken heart.