The Dreamer

by Greyson, Maeve

  Father William held up a hand. “It has been brought to my attention that some believe this fine woman to be a witch.”

  “What is he doing?” Ian whispered, drawing Gretna closer.

  “What I asked him to do,” she replied.

  The holy man removed a small vial from his pocket, uncorked it, then started flinging the contents on both Gretna and Ian. “Gloria Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti: Et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Ámen.” The priest repeated the Gloria Patri as he walked around them. On his third and final circling, he repeated the words in English, “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and always, and until the ages of ages. Amen.”

  Ian realized the man had showered them with holy water during the rite and immediately understood.

  Upon completing the ritual, Father William faced the crowd. “If this good Christian woman was a witch, possessed by demons, or in league with Satan, do ye not think she wouldha burst into flames by now?” He flourished a wave of the holy water vial, scattering droplets from her feet to the top of her head. “This woman heals ye, helps ye, and serves our Lord with her sacrifices and services. Dinna insult her nor damn yer own souls to hell by feeding such vicious rumors about her. Ye best look to yer own actions and tend to how ye yerself live. Judge not lest ye be judged, ye fools!”

  “Amen!” Sutherland shouted.

  Ian bit his tongue to keep from laughing and receiving an eternal sentence of hellfire and damnation for himself. “Shall we go upstairs now to share our news with Catriona and speak our vows?”

  “Aye.” Gretna looped her arm through his.

  With priest, children, and friends following close behind, Ian slowly shook his head as they led the way to the chieftain’s chambers.

  “What?” Gretna asked. “Has all the talk and trouble changed yer mind?” she whispered. She glanced behind them. “We should tell them now if that’s so.”

  If not for the tremor in her voice and the fact she’d paled a bit, he’d think she wished for a way out herself. But no…he knew those shadows in her eyes. Gretna worried about him. He kissed her cheek as they reached the landing. “Nay, love. I was merely shaking my head because a scant six months ago, I wouldha never seen myself doing this—nor believe I could feel so at peace and happy with the doing of it.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Aye. I am, too,” Ian said as he opened the door to the solar and winked. “See if Catriona would mind a wee visit.”

  Gretna disappeared into the bedchamber. An excited squeal and clapping from within the room soon followed.

  Father William smiled. “Maybe this excitement will convince that wee bairn it’s time to be born.” He gave Alexander a smug look. “Or the wee bairns, as the case may be.”

  Alexander groaned.

  Ian laughed. “Aye, a third set of twins would be quite the blessing.”

  The priest arched a brow at Ian. “Mark my words. Ye’ll be next.” He motioned to the boys standing close by. “These three need a wee sister to protect. Do ye not, my lads?”

  Evander, Rory, and Finn all looked at the holy man as though he’d just sprouted a second head.

  “She’s ready,” Gretna announced, opening the bedchamber door wide and waving all forward.

  As many as could crowded into the room. The rest remained in the solar. Catriona sat in the center of the bed, propped among piles of pillows, her face aglow. Ian took hold of Gretna’s hand and squeezed as they faced Father William, who had taken a position beside the head of the bed.

  Hands folded, the priest smiled at all in the room. “We are here to witness the vows of Ian and Gretna to each other. Their promise in front of our Lord.” He leaned forward and lifted Ian and Gretna’s joined hands, cupping his own around them. “The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace.” He nodded. “Speak yer words now, one to another. Ian?”

  A loving contentment filled Ian as he soared into the brilliant blue of Gretna’s gaze. He’d not felt this settled in a long while. Aye. This was right and true. He squeezed her hands. “Heart of my heart, soul of my soul, cherished forevermore. To thee I join, thee I love, until time is no more.”

  Gretna eased closer. “I shall stay at yer side, heart of my heart and soul of my soul. To thee I join, thee I love, until time is no more.”

  Father William gave an approving nod, then lifted a hand and held it over them. “I now pronounce these two as one, both in the eyes of our Lord and this world. Man and wife until death do part them. Let no man put asunder what God Himself hath joined.” He nodded to Ian. “Ye may kiss yer bride.”

  “Gladly.” Ian pulled her into his arms and claimed her with a kiss meant to meld them together for all time. “I love ye,” he whispered.

  “And I love ye.” She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.

  All in the room clapped and cheered. The happy sound rippled out into the solar, down the stairwell, and into the hall. Catriona cheered the loudest. From her position in the bed, she ruled as though it were her throne. “Alexander! Send for drinks. We must have a toast to celebrate.”

  Alexander hurried to do her bidding.

  Ian motioned for Evander, Rory, and Finn to join them. The three had wedged themselves into a corner, flanked by their friends, as though they feared attack.

  “Come, lads,” Ian urged. “We’re officially a family now.” Finn had been calling him Da as though born to it. Rory called him that when he wanted something. Evander never veered from Master Ian or sir. Ian cared for all three and hoped someday they would all fully trust him and, at the very least, consider him a friend.

  “Oh, dear!” Catriona stiffened and yanked up the covers, frowning as she peered beneath them.

  “Oh, dear?” Gretna repeated. “Is it time?”

  Catriona nodded. “Aye. My waters just soaked the bed.”

  Her cane lightly tapping out her path, Mercy headed for the door. “I’ll alert Mrs. Fitzgerald that it’s time.”

  “Have one of the maids fetch my basket, aye?” Gretna said as she started tugging at the bedclothes.

  Catriona shifted, then flinched. “Merciful heavens, there’s another rush of water. Should be the last of it.”

  “She’s peed the bed. Twice? And with us standing right here?” Finn asked loud enough for all to hear.

  “Everyone out!” Ian ordered before the lads made more observations.

  The mysteries of bringing bairns into the world was best left to the women. Everyone rushed from the room, and the crowd waiting in the solar retreated, charging down to the hall below. Evander, Rory, and Finn looked like lost lambs separated from the herd. They hovered close to the outer door but stayed in the solar as though unsure as to what they were supposed to do. Sutherland, Magnus, Graham, and the priest remained. Ian closed the bedchamber door and blew out a relieved breath just as Alexander returned to the room, followed by several servants bearing trays of pitchers and tankards.

  He came to a halt, frowning at the closed bedchamber door, then at those remaining in the room.

  “It’s time,” Ian explained with a nod back at the door.

  “Ahh…well, then.” Alexander scrubbed his hands together. “Perhaps we’ll save the toast to a good marriage for afterward. Once the women finish what they’re doing.” He motioned to the servants. “Set the drinks over there. I’m sure ye’re needed elsewhere to bring up supplies for the bairn.” He took a seat at the table beside the window, staring out at the icy rain streaking down the glass.

  For a woman who had already been through this twice before, he seemed strangely detached from the entire situation. His jovial mood from the unexpected wedding had disappeared. Ian wondered if Catriona had experienced troubles during the times prior to this. Bringing life into the world was deadly, indeed. He grabbed two tankards from a passing servant and joined his cousin at the table. “
Take heart, man. All will be well. I’ll consider nothing less on my wedding day.”

  Alexander rewarded the slight encouragement with a brief smile that shifted to a scowl. “It appears we were mistaken about who aligned the traitorous southern Neals with Clan Campbell’s strength.” He pulled his gaze away from the window and looked at Ian. “It’s not Colin Neal keeping unrest stirred and leading the men in the plundering of our people.”

  “Who then?” Ian found that hard to believe. Colin had been reported among the renegades during every attack. The bastard had been spotted as he helped set fire to the houses of his own clan—those loyal to the MacCoinnichs. Ian had spied him while protecting the western tip of the village during the last raid. “I saw the man just days ago, riding with the Campbells.”

  Alexander shook his head. “I misspoke. Or at least, I didna make myself clear. Colin Neal does not act alone in splitting the unity of the MacCoinnich clan and trying to claim our lands.”

  Four maids rushed into the room, arms loaded with fresh linens, and two of them bearing kettles of steaming water. Mercy followed close behind, depending on her cane to find her way. All of them filed into the bedchamber. After several moments, the door opened again, and the maids hurried out, heading back downstairs.

  Ian blinked away the interruption, flinching at the muffled sound of a woman’s labored groans coming from the next room. He wished they’d all gone back downstairs to the hall. “What are ye trying to tell me, Alexander?” he asked, struggling to keep the man focused.

  “Catriona’s brothers,” Alexander said through clenched teeth.

  The statement pushed Ian back in his chair as though he’d been shoved. “Which brothers?”

  Catriona’s twin, the vile Calum Neal, had been killed while rescuing Catriona and saving the clan from his evil rule. The next brother in succession, Angus, just as wicked as Calum, but barely fifteen years old at the time, had disappeared during the battle. Her youngest brothers, Murray and Dougal, had only been nine at the time. Those two had been sent to relatives farther north, but as far as anyone knew, they had always claimed fealty to Catriona and Alexander. But ten years had passed. Enough time for boys to become men and old wounds to fester.

  “All three of them. Angus, Murray, and Dougal,” Alexander said. “Angus claims Tor Ruadh is rightfully his, and the other two support him.”

  “Chieftain Neal and Calum’s cruel insanity has not been forgotten by the clan.” Ian pushed one of the tankards toward Alexander. “Many of the Neals have shown their loyalty and sworn fealty to ye. They’re happy with how ye’ve grown the clan and cared for the people.”

  “Many, but not all,” Alexander said, then drained the cup. “If all were content, Colin wouldha failed at helping the brothers unite the Neals to the south, so Angus might rule over them. ’Tis also said Colin was the one to deal the Campbells into the fray.”

  “That bastard. We shouldha killed him when we had the chance.” Ian shook his head. “All we can do now is best them, and best them we will.”

  A growling shriek echoed from the adjoining room. All the men stared at the bedchamber door as though it held a monster within.

  “Is it always like this?” Ian whispered as he motioned for the children to run along and find something better to do. He feared the sound of Catriona’s distress might trigger one of Finn’s spells.

  “Aye.” Alexander stared at the door with a pained look. “It’ll get worse toward the end. She’ll stop groaning and go to cursing, then sobbing.” He shrugged and attempted to settle more comfortably in the chair. “But once she holds the babe, all is well.”

  “Will ye tell her of her brothers?” Ian glanced around at those remaining in the room, Graham, Sutherland, Magnus, and Father William. All had been present during the battle ten years ago to cleanse the Neal clan of its demons.

  Before Alexander could answer, an object crashed against the door and shattered.

  “She often throws things whilst bringing our bairns into this world,” Alexander explained with an impressive calmness. “She possesses the Neal temper.”

  God Almighty. Gretna’s a MacNeilage. Almost one and the same. Ian rose and edged toward the solar’s outer door. “Perhaps we should wait downstairs in the hall, aye?”

  Alexander gave him a sympathetic smile. “Ye can all go if ye wish, but I’ll be staying here. ’Tis the least I can do.”

  Ian sagged back down into his seat. He couldn’t very well leave now and look the selfish coward.

  Rising, Alexander went to the long buffet bearing several decanters. He poured drinks for everyone, waving them over to fetch them. “I appreciate all of ye here. Even though God has blessed Catriona with safe deliveries before…”

  “All will be well,” Ian repeated as he lifted his glass.

  Everyone joined in with a hearty, “Aye!”

  A robust wailing joined in.

  “The babe,” Alexander whispered with a step toward the door.

  “Healthy,” Ian said. “Listen.”

  The new life raged strong and fierce, and the child sounded thoroughly displeased with the world.

  After what seemed like forever, the bedchamber door opened. Gretna searched out Alexander and waved him over. “Come, my chieftain. Ye have a fine, healthy daughter to meet.”

  “Just one,” Alexander said, sounding relieved. “One daughter, aye?”

  “Aye, just the one. But with the temper that wee one has, she’ll be enough.” Gretna stepped out of the way, nudged him into the room, then closed the door after Mercy joined her in the sitting room. She turned from the door and nodded toward the glass in Ian’s hand. “We should all toast wee Mistress Maisie Leanna.” She smiled. “And Mercy and I could use a drink as well.”

  “Indeed,” Mercy agreed.

  Magnus, Sutherland, Graham, and Father William gathered around as Ian poured drinks for all. With an arm around Gretna’s waist, he lifted his glass high. “To Maisie Leanna.” He hugged Gretna closer. “And to my lovely wife.”

  She beamed at him, lifting her glass alongside his. “And to the future…and precious, new life.”

  Ian paused with his glass midway to his mouth and gave Gretna a sharp look. New life. His gaze swept down to her middle. Nay. Surely, she meant the wee bairn she had just helped into the world.

  “Aye!” everyone echoed, then downed their drinks.

  An explosion, loud as cannon fire, shook through the keep.

  Chapter Twelve

  My sons. Gretna ran for the door. Ian caught her by the arm and yanked her back. She struggled against his hold, yelling out her fears, “Let me go! I have to get to the boys!”

  “Stay here,” he ordered in a loud but calm tone. “I will find them and bring them to ye.” He held her in place, watching her. Damn him. He knew her too well, knew as soon as he let her go, she’d run.

  Sutherland and Magnus charged out the door, Father William on their heels.

  Alexander raced past them with his sword drawn. He paused at the door and motioned toward the bedchamber. “Stay with Catriona and the babe. Please, Gretna, I beg ye.”

  “Both of ye stay with her,” Graham said. He cupped Mercy’s face. “Dinna worry. I’ll bring the bairns to ye. Please, just stay here, aye?”

  Mercy gave a quick nod. “Be safe, my love.”

  If Mercy stayed here, she could keep Catriona and the babe company. Gretna could see to her sons. As she edged toward the door and opened her mouth to offer this reasoning, Ian took hold of her other arm, too. “Nay, my stubborn love. I know damn good and well what ye’re thinking. I need ye to stay here. I swear I will find them. They’re my sons now, too, understand?”

  He leaned in, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “I will find them,” he repeated. He glared at her with bared teeth and nostrils flaring, then gave her a gentle shake to drive his words home. “Heed me, wife! For all our sakes, heed me!”

  It took all her strength to force a nod and actually mean it. “Hurry.” She shoved
him away, then grabbed hold of his waistcoat and yanked him back for a kiss as harsh and hard as a slap. “But dinna ye dare get hurt,” she warned as she pushed him away again. “If ye do, I’ll force the vilest tonics I know down yer throat.”

  “Aye, m’lady,” he promised with a grim smile. Before he closed the door behind him, he gave a warning tilt of his head. “Barricade it, ye ken? Open it for no one unless ye know them and trust them.”

  Gretna nodded, pushing against the door and dropping the bar across it before it clicked fully shut.

  Ian’s steps faded away. Faint shouts and an acrid scent of burnt gunpowder and smoke filtered in from elsewhere in the keep. What in God’s name had happened? Her ache to rush out the door and find her babies raged fierce and strong. She pounded her fist against the wood. Not knowing ate away at her.

  “Gretna?” Catriona’s call from the bedchamber broke through her torment.

  After stuffing a rolled tapestry against the bottom of the door to block any smoke, Gretna hurried to her. “I’m here.”

  Mercy sitting at her side, Catriona had curled against the head of the bed, clutching her sleeping baby close. “Thank ye for staying. I know the need to see to the children, but Alexander swore he’d have them all brought to us here. The men will see to our bairns.”

  Gretna sat at the foot of the bed, hugging herself as she strained to hear what might be happening below. Strangely, all seemed quiet now. That brought her some small hope. If they were under attack, surely the sound of battle would fill the keep. But if it wasn’t an attack, what had it been? She knew the smell of spent gunpowder. It had filled the air enough to rise to the second floor. “I hate this.” She rose and paced back and forth beside the bed.

  “I know. A woman’s lot isna fair during such a time,” Catriona observed, staring sadly down at her new daughter. “My dear, sweet child, what sort of world have I brought ye into?”

  Gretna pressed a hand to her still flat middle that wouldn’t remain so in the coming months. Aye, what a world indeed. She possessed an enviable trait among women. Her courses flowed with the regularity of the moon’s phases. They always had. She should’ve bled by now, should’ve bled a fortnight ago. With the experience of bearing three bairns, she was fairly certain another was on the way. She had planned to tell Ian the news today, but now she wondered if she should. He needed no distractions—especially not worrying about his wife and unborn child.