Highland Vengeance
Page 21
The summer night air had a slight breeze and Laird Sinclair watched his wife dancing with his best friend. Broderick had come to the Sinclair holding for Stephan’s wedding and it was good to hear how well the Kincaid clan was doing. When Laird and Lady Sinclair had finally returned from England, most of the snow in the Highlands had begun to melt away and the earth was beginning to thaw. It was the perfect time for Broderick and his clan to return to their new land and start building their own holding.
Maggie’s smile was contagious as she took turns dancing with the other warriors in Camden’s guard. Stephan trusted the men but he still looked agitated as each one spun his new bride to the music. Camden could not help but stare at the small bump growing at Olivia’s waistline and although she had not figured out why her stomach was not flat anymore, Laird Sinclair was sure she carried his baby.
Broderick laughed as Olivia held her body perfectly poised as she danced but let her speech ramble on like a drunken soldier. She had certainly not changed any and Broderick was grateful for that. No one would ever compare to this warrior woman and he hoped someday to find someone at least similar to her. He listened to her explain in great detail how she had been the one to bring Stephan and Maggie together. Olivia decided that maybe her calling in life was to match people together to find love as she and Camden had.
“Do you think you will marry someday Broderick?” She asked.
“Well I doubt there is any woman like you out there, so I guess I will have to settle in order to have a son that can rule my clan when I am gone.”
“Or daughter, right?”
Broderick laughed. “Yes of course, a daughter to rule my clan as long as you teach her everything you know.”
“I do not have a preference to whether my baby is a boy or girl,” Olivia smiled.
“What do you mean, Lady Sinclair?”
“I have not told my husband yet that I carry his baby. He must believe his old married wife is getting fat,” she grinned.
“Congratulations m’lady. May God bless you and the Sinclair baby.”
“Thank you Broderick and thank you for all that you have done for our clan. You may always count on the Sinclairs to help your clan if ever needed, in life and in death,” Olivia said as she bowed her head.
“In life and in death, Lady Sinclair. Now I better bring you back to your husband, he looks ready to tear my head off,” Broderick grinned.
The rest of the wedding celebration continued into the night with everyone laughing and enjoying the ale. Camden and Olivia had said good night to the newly married couple and headed to their chamber in the Sinclair holding for the evening. Olivia removed her plaid and then stared into fire that crackled in the hearth of their room. She waited there for Camden and began rubbing her small belly as she thought of what was to come. Olivia remembered back to the day when she helped Ella while she began to endure her first labor.
Olivia watched as Ella calmly breathed through each wave of pains as they came. She was impressed with how controlled the laboring mother was because Olivia had seen other women scream in pain. After watching Ella, she was not sure what to expect because everything was going so smoothly and easy. Garrison had come in to check on his wife several times and each time, Olivia had to convince him that Ella would be all right.
The midwife was one that Olivia knew well and she had helped the older woman a few times before at the convent. The only person that was nervous and emotional was the cook, Ella’s friend Margaret. The poor woman was teary-eyed each time she came into the room and Ella was actually helping to sooth Margaret. After being with the duchess for several hours laboring during the day, Olivia finally left the room to get some fresh air. Garrison brought his sister something to eat on the terrace and the two had a loving conversation.
“Livy, it is easy to see how much you love your husband. I am glad you no longer have to worry about the Highland man that hurt the Sinclairs. I do have to ask you though as your brother, are you truly happy in Scotland?” Garrison asked.
“If you thought I would not be happy, would you have sent me there married to a stranger?”
The duke laughed. “I was right then, you love the outdoors and that life suits you well.”
“It more than suits me Garrison, in fact, I can go barefoot there anytime and no one would say anything,” she grinned.
“Then you must be in heaven Livy.”
“Anywhere with Camden is heaven,” Olivia said with love.
“I will miss seeing you whenever I want to,” Garrison said with a bit of sadness.
“I will miss you and Ella as well, speaking of your wife, I must go back and see how she is doing.”
In the early evening hours, Ella’s labor began to increase and Olivia watched as a beautiful but small baby girl was delivered into the world. Olivia and the midwife’s aide cleaned the baby and wrapped her carefully in a soft blanket so that the duchess could hold her little girl. Before she could take the new baby in her arms, Ella began to experience further pains and continued to bleed more than usual. Olivia feared the worst and prayed to God to help her sister-in-law to survive.
“What is happening?” Ella cried out.
“I am not sure but the pains should have stopped now,” Olivia said as she tried to comfort the new mother.
“Everything is all right m’lady, the second baby is on its way out,” the midwife said, “a few more pains and all will be well.”
“The second baby?” Olivia blurted out.
Ella laughed slightly as the next pain started and soon a chubby little boy was born moments after his sister.
“Please let that be the last one,” Ella grinned as she lay back against the bed, “I have no more to give.”
Olivia gave the little girl to her mother and then handed Ella the swaddled baby boy as well. As soon as the duchess was cleaned and ready, Garrison was brought in to see his new babies. The duke was just as shocked as everyone else was to see his wife holding two little bundles in her arms. Olivia and Camden stayed in England with the Sinclair guards for several weeks following the birth. Helping with the babies and Ella made Olivia want to hurry back to Scotland to have a baby of her own.
Now, she waited by the fire in her chamber and smiled knowing that wish was coming true. Olivia was anxious to tell her husband the good news and she was sure he would be overjoyed. Camden found his wife sitting by the hearth and he pulled her gently into his arms. With Olivia there and a baby on the way, Camden knew everything was finally perfect in his life.
The End
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue