Leaning out the carriage window, she waved a final good-bye to her family. They all stood outside, her mother patting her eyes with a handkerchief and Sarah looking lost. As the carriage jerked, then eased as the horses moved into a smooth cadence, Sybil studied the stately home where she had grown up.
She smiled at the large oak tree where her sister, Abigail, quite young at the time, had been tied up. Drake and Abigail’s now-husband, Joseph, had done the deed because she wouldn’t stop following them about.
As the carriage began its descent down the pebbled path, they passed the pond where they’d all learned to swim. She could almost see a young Marion and her husband, Tristan, when he had tried to teach her to float on her back without panicking. He’d been so patient with her. A lot more patient than Drake and Joseph had been with Abigail.
They passed the hill where her mother had taken them sledding so often. They’d engaged in snowball fights and built snowmen with coal for the eyes and large carrots for their noses. There was even the time they’d all been sent to bed without their dinner because they’d stolen Papa’s best hat for a snowman and it had been accidentally trampled by a horse.
She sighed and leaned back against the soft leather seat. When she’d left for Margaret’s wedding, it had been with the idea of returning in several weeks. Now she knew any return here would be as a guest.
Liam took her hand in his. “I told yer brother we would welcome his visit anytime he wants to travel our way.”
“Thank you.” She used the tip of her handkerchief to catch the tear that slid from her eye. “I will miss my sister, Sarah, dreadfully. Except for Margaret’s wedding, we have never been apart.”
“Ach, lass. When it grows near yer time, invite yer sister to come stay with us.”
“Yes. I think that is a splendid idea.” Her bright smile brought a grin to her husband’s face as well.
“’Tis been quite a couple of weeks for ye, lass. And with yer condition and all, I think a short nap will ease ye, and help the time pass.” With a quick movement, he scooped her up from the seat and settled her on his lap. “Sleep now.”
Annoyed at being ordered to nap like a child, she held her tongue when she realized how very tired she was. After a healthy yawn, she cuddled close to the warmth and security of Liam’s chest. Before falling into a sound sleep, her last thought was of meeting Lady MacBride when they arrived at Bedlay Castle.
The only thorn among all the roses in her life. But, unfortunately, a very large barb.
Chapter Nineteen
“Liam, we must speak of your mother.” Sybil adjusted her skirts as they neared the inn that was their first stop along the way to Bedlay Castle. She’d enjoyed a nice long nap, and now her stomach reminded her that she was eating for two people.
“’Twill not be a problem. Dinna fash yerself, lass.”
“You’ve said that every time I’ve asked. In a few days we will be back at Bedlay. I don’t wish to say unkind things about your mother, but I don’t see her being happy about our marriage.”
“I’ve banished her.”
Sybil gasped. “What?”
“I had her move into the tower section of the castle. She has all the comforts of the main castle, but cannot cause mischief.”
“Oh, no. I don’t like that. I feel terrible that she was banished.”
“After what she did? Aye lass, ye are much too soft.”
“But she is your mother. Even though what she did was hurtful, she loves you, and only wanted what she thought was best.”
His lips tightened and he waved his hand. “’Tis done. There is no reason to speak on it further.”
Sybil thought of her own mother and how adored she was by all her family. She placed her hand on her grumbling stomach. One day Lady MacBride would be a grandmother. With her dislike of all things English, would she dismiss the child? Despite what the woman had done, it would be difficult for her and Liam to have true happiness with the babe’s only nearby grandmother banished.
…
Sybil experienced a sense of familiarity as their carriage crested the hill leading to Bedlay Castle, and two young girls raced from the front door. Catriona and Alanna abandoned all dignity as they lifted their skirts and dashed toward them.
“You came back!” Catriona threw herself into Sybil’s arms as soon as she stepped out of the carriage.
“Aye, she did come back. As my wife,” Liam said as he received a hug from Alanna.
“You got married!” Alanna gripped Sybil’s hand and examined the gold and diamond wedding band Liam had placed on her finger during the ceremony only five days ago.
“We are truly sisters now,” Alanna said.
“Yes, we are, and I am so happy to have you both as such. You will help me deal with not having my sisters about.”
Both girls wrapped their arms around Sybil’s waist as they moved toward the front door. “What about our clan, Liam? I thought as laird you had to be married in front of the clan?” Catriona asked.
“Aye. There will be a wedding here as soon as the three of you can arrange it.”
They entered the drawing room and Alanna turned to Liam. “What about Mum?”
“I’m sure the three of ye can do what needs to be done. I will ride for the priest in the morning. Sybil, ye can talk with Mrs. MacDougal and get everything seen to.”
Catriona and Alanna glanced at each other, their wide smiles diminishing somewhat. Sybil already loved her new sisters, and if she could make things right for them then she had to try.
…
It was about an hour after dinner and Liam was busy in the library with matters that needed to be taken care of since his absence. Catriona and Alanna had settled at the chessboard, as usual.
“I am feeling a bit spent from our journey. If you will excuse me, I will retire early.”
“Good night, Sybil,” the girls echoed.
“I will join ye in a bit.” Liam glanced up as he reached for another ledger.
Instead of heading upstairs, Sybil took a light woolen wrap from the entrance hall and left the castle. A short, somewhat muddy, walk led her to the tower area. She glanced up to see a light flickering at the very top of the structure. Lady MacBride had not yet retired. Taking a deep breath, and hoping she would not make things worse, she opened the latch on the large wooden door, held her candle up, and stepped into the area.
It was damp and dismal. Despite it being late summer, there was a definite chill in the air. She shivered and ran her hand up and down her arm. As she moved farther in, a winding staircase came into view on her right side. She held the candle high to observe the room, but the staircase was the only way to the top.
The climb was not difficult, but not something she would want to do several times a day. Since Liam would not speak of his mother’s banishment, she had no way of knowing how the woman was being fed. It would be daunting for Mrs. MacDougal to have to deliver meals here three times a day. Although, most likely one of the younger kitchen girls would be sent. But it still seemed a sad and lonely existence for Lady MacBride.
At the very top of the stairs, three doors appeared. The one straight ahead and to her left would not be in a position for her to see the light flickering. Placing her hand on her stomach, she knocked softly on the door to her right.
“Come.”
Sybil opened the door. Lady MacBride sat on a comfortable looking chair, her needle poised over a large frame of some type of needlework. Her expression went from a slight smile to a sneer. “So, ye came back?”
“Yes.” Although she hadn’t been invited to sit, Sybil walked to the chair directly across from her mother-in-law and rested on the very edge. Placing the candle in a holder on a small table, she rested her hands in her lap.
“I see the ring on yer finger, so I guess the laird married ye, after all.”
“Yes.” If she hadn’t been studying Lady MacBride so closely she might have missed the slight softening of her face.
Then t
he woman drew herself up, and said, “I suppose ye’ve come to prance about and let me ken ye won.”
Sybil shook her head. “No, my lady. Not at all.”
Lady MacBride shrugged. “Dinna fash yerself, lass. Ye won, so ye can just be on yer way.”
Sybil rose and crossed the small space between them. Dropping to her knees, she took the woman’s hands in hers, being careful to avoid the needle, lest her mother-in-law decide to stab her. “We have a great deal in common, you know.”
“Ach. What would I have in common with a Sassenach?”
Sybil took the needle from her hand and placed it on the frame. “We both love the same man.”
“Ach, you dinna love Liam. Ye want only what he can give ye.”
“You are so wrong, my lady. I love Liam very much.” She released Lady MacBride’s hands and sat back on her heels. “In my family, no one marries for any reason other than love. It is what you might call a tradition. There have been one or two that didn’t start out that way, but both of my sisters and my brother enjoy very happy marriages.”
She tilted her head. “I waited through four London Seasons to find the right man. Someone whom I could love with my whole heart and who would love me the same. I never would have guessed that the reason I hadn’t found him in a London ballroom was because all that time he was in a Scottish castle.”
Lady MacBride gave her a slight smile. “Ye have a way with words, lass. I will give ye that.”
Heartened by the woman’s response, she continued, “Then hear my words and believe them. I don’t think my husband will be truly happy if his mother is relegated to the tower.”
Lady MacBride shook her head. “Nay, lass. The laird has turned against me. Ye see before ye a stubborn, foolish woman.”
“Then perhaps your stubborn, foolish son can see the error of his ways.”
Shaking her head, but not quite so determinedly, she said, “Nay, he had the right of it. ’Twas a mean thing I did to him.” She glanced at Sybil. “And to ye, too.”
“But it has all turned out well.”
When the woman didn’t answer, Sybil said, “We will be having a full Scottish wedding in a few days. I would be very happy if you are there.”
“Why would ye want me there, lass? I caused ye nothing but trouble and heartache.”
Sybil rose and adjusted her skirts. “For two reasons, my lady. One, I love your son too much to cause him any distress on his wedding day. I don’t think he would enjoy it to the fullest unless you are there with us.” Picking up her candle, she headed to the door. She turned as she reached for the latch. “And I’ll be lettin’ ye ken a secret. Since there is a wee bairn on the way, ’tis important to make peace with yer son. Aye?”
She quietly closed the door and held firmly onto the stone wall as she descended the stairs to return to the castle. The sound of soft laughter floated in the air from behind the bedchamber door.
…
Even though it was her second wedding day, for some reason Sybil felt more nervous than the first time around. Maybe it was the idea of facing Liam’s entire clan as his bride, or worry that his mother would or would not appear.
With the help of Mrs. MacDougal, the three girls were able to get everything finished and ready on time. The priest had arrived early yesterday, and the guests had gathered in the chapel a short distance from the castle. Lady Margaret and Duncan had hurried in a bit ago, apologizing for their tardiness, but it seemed the new bride was breeding and had a bit of trouble holding onto her breakfast.
Taking one last look in the mirror, Sybil laid her hand on her middle and took a deep breath.
“We must go, Sybil. ’Tis growing late.” Alanna’s anxious voice drew her from her musing.
“I am ready.”
Because of the muddy roads, Sybil, Catriona, and Alanna all rode in the carriage to the chapel. The small church was built of smooth stone and had stood on the same spot for more than two hundred years. All the MacBride lairds had married there, and all the MacBride clan members had been buried there.
Sybil clutched the skirts of her pale blue gown as she took the few steps from the carriage to the chapel door. She entered and was immediately taken with the sight of Liam once again dressed in full clan attire. He turned as she stepped into the chapel and extended his hand. Laird Liam MacBride was impressive at any time, but in his formal Highlander dress he was indeed a sight to behold.
She stepped next to him, and they faced the priest.
“Wait just a minute, there, Father.” Lady MacBride walked the short distance from the door to the front pew. “I want to be sure to see my laird marry his lady.”
Sybil nearly laughed at the shocked look on Liam’s face. She tugged his arm so he leaned down. “I invited her.”
He grinned from ear to ear. “Ye never cease to amaze me, lass.”
They turned to face the priest to once more take their vows. This time in front of the entire Clan MacBride.
Epilogue
“Ach, lass, how many times do I need to tell ye to stop doin’ so much and rest yerself?” Lady MacBride bustled into the drawing room, catching Sybil attempting to put a book back on a shelf above her head.
“I am fine. Truly.” She moved her bulky body to the settee and eased down. “Though I feel as if I swallowed an entire watermelon.”
“Never ye mind. Ye have to take better care of that bairn yer carrying. Ach, what can I do with ye?” She fisted her hands on her hips. “I’m going to have yer laird tie ye to the bed.”
“I don’t believe that is necessary.” Sybil shifted, uncomfortable no matter how she adjusted herself.
“Mayhap it is.” Liam strode into the room and frowned at his wife. “Yer lookin’ mighty tired, darlin’.” He scooped Sybil up and settled her in his arms.
“Liam, put me down.” Sybil laughed. “You will hurt your back carrying me.” Despite her protests, she was grateful to have his strong arms around her. She was indeed very tired, and the ache in her back had only grown worse as the day went on.
“Ach, the day I cannot carry a wee thing like ye ’tis the day I’ll take to my bed for the last time.”
“Don’t be silly. I must weigh as much as an elephant.”
“Nay. Hardly more than my broadsword.”
They trudged up the stairs and down the corridor to their bedchamber, where he gently deposited her on the counterpane. “Now rest, lass.”
Sybil reached out and touched his arm, urging him to sit alongside her on the bed. “Has there been word from Sarah today?”
Liam sighed. “Nay. I canna understand what is taking the lass so long.”
“I’m frightened. She left London two weeks ago.” Sybil had written to her twin when she’d passed the sixth month of her pregnancy. At Liam’s suggestion, she had asked her to make the trip to the Highlands to be with her when the babe arrived. In a note delivered two weeks ago, Sarah stated she would be leaving the next day. Unless something dreadful had happened to her, she should have arrived days ago.
“Dinna fash yerself, lass. She has her maid with her, a driver, and a footman. If something happened along the road it might not have been possible for her to send a note. I’m sure all is well.” He drew the bed curtains, blocking out the sun. “Now rest yerself.”
“Don’t leave.” Sybil stopped his movement with her hand. “Can you rub my back? It’s been bothering me all day.”
“Sure, darlin’. Turn over and I’ll give ye a good rub.”
Sybil rolled her bulk to the side just as a sharp pain shot from her back to around her front. “Oh.” She doubled up, clasping her stomach and breaking into a sweat.
“What?” Liam jumped up. “Is it the bairn?”
“I think so.” She took a deep breath. “Oh, that hurt.”
“’Tis time for Mum.” He raced from the room, practically knocking Bessie over as she entered.
“What is it, my lady? Is the babe coming?”
“I think so, Bessie. Here, help me
out of these clothes and into a nightgown.”
With fumbling fingers the young maid got her changed and settled back into bed just as a gush of water released, wetting her and the bed.
“Oh, Bessie, I’m so sorry.”
“Ach, lass, ’tis time.” Lady MacBride hustled into the room with linens and a pile of soft cloths. “Bessie, get her changed.”
“Where is Liam?” Sybil asked and then panted as another pain gripped her.
“I sent him for the midwife. He canna be here, anyway.” She wiped Sybil’s forehead with a cool cloth. “Just relax, lass. ’Twill be a while until the bairn arrives.”
…
Liam counted the steps once again. Thirty-four in one direction, twenty-seven in another. He’d done it so many times he could do it with his eyes closed. He stopped and cocked his ear. Sybil had been wailing for some time now, each cry a knife to his heart. ’Twas the last bairn he’d put in her. He couldn’t live through this again.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned on his heel, and counted again. The door to the library flew open, almost hitting him square in the head. Catriona stood there, her mouth agape.
“What?”
“The bairn,” she whispered.
Before she could speak further, his head snapped up at the wail of a different sort. A strange cry, somewhat like the shriek of a cat. He grabbed Catriona by her shoulders. “The bairn?”
“Aye.”
He rushed past her, almost knocking the girl over, and took the stairs two at a time. Racing down the corridor, he barely avoided crashing into Bessie as she left the room.
“My laird, a wonderful day. A wonderful day, indeed.”
Liam nodded and continued on. He entered the bedchamber. His mum held a tiny bundle, gazing down with amazement. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “A lass.”
A lass!
He broke into a grin and turned to the bed where Sybil lay, her eyes bright. She had been cleaned up and her hair was braided. In her arms lay a tiny bundle. He moved toward her, his eyebrows raised.
The Highlander's Choice (Entangled Scandalous) (Marriage Mart Mayhem) Page 19