by Alisa Adams
“I think you would have done just fine,” Leann replied, stroking the damp hair back from her brow as she kissed it.
The labor lasted six hours, and Gavin still had not made an appearance. Then Nan cried, “Stop pushin’ Milady! I can see the heid!”
Allana rested for a moment and took small gulps of air then with one mighty heave, she pushed the baby out into the world. The heave was accompanied by a banshee-like scream which took the very last bit of Allana’s energy. She closed her eyes and was lying gasping for breath when in burst a very disheveled and anxious Gavin.
“Allie!” he cried. He went straight to her side and took her face in his hands. “How are you? Is everything all right?”
“I am fine.” Her voice was hoarse, but she managed a weak smile. “Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A girl, milady, a fine big lassie she is an’ a’!” Nan held up the baby who was weeping the heartrending cries of a newborn and handed it to Allana.
“Gavin, is she not beautiful?” Allana asked, beaming down at the little red squashed face with the tortured expression.
Gavin looked at his new daughter doubtfully. “A really gorgeous wee lassie!” he said, summoning up as much enthusiasm as he could. However, the child looked very unattractive to him.
Seeing his face, Nan laughed. “They a’ look like that at first, m’laird. She will be as bonnie as a bluebell in a wee while.”
Gavin looked at Leann who nodded in agreement. She had seen newborns before and had never thought them pretty. The child was very dark, like Allana, and Gavin hoped she stayed that way. He felt ecstatic, unimaginably happy, as if he could fly. Allana smiled up at him and he thought he had never seen her look more beautiful.
“Did I do well, m’laird?” she whispered.
“Indeed, you did, milady,” he murmured, “indeed you did.”
After she left Allana’s breast, Leann settled the little girl and tucked her friend up in bed. She kissed her on the forehead and tiptoed out then went downstairs for a well-deserved glass of wine and something to eat. To her surprise, Munro was there. He stood up when he saw her, looking delighted.
“Mistress Leann!” he cried. “How wonderful to see you! I hear you have been doing some very good work today.”
Leann shook her head and sighed, flopping into a seat. I can only imagine how tired Allana must feel, she thought. Munro gave her a glass of wine and she sipped it gratefully.
“You look hungry, Leann,” he observed.
“Does it show?” She laughed. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while as she watched the fire thinking about the baby and Allana’s exhaustion. Such a lot of work, but such a great reward, she thought with a stab of heartache. If only she was mine!
The next day, Munro had to leave. He had merely dropped in on a flying visit while doing business in the area, but he wished he had more time to stay with the Ingrams since they were wonderful company and Leann with her intelligence and wit was always a tonic to his battered spirit. He had asked her over breakfast whether she would be coming to his area soon and she had shrugged.
“If work brings me that way, I suppose,” she replied, smiling.
“I am extending an open invitation to you,” he told her, “and if I hear that you have been in my vicinity without visiting, I will be very offended!”
She laughed. “I give you my word I will visit as long as you do not expect me to make polite conversation with ladies and flirt with men. Both of them bore me to tears!”
“Would you like to marry again?” he asked frankly. “In the fullness of time, I mean.”
“I have no idea,” she replied, sighing. “You?”
“Not yet. Things are still too recent for me, but you are an attractive woman with much to offer any man.”
“Attractive? Me?” Leann said in disbelief. “Munro, I am not attractive.”
“I am not going to tell you all your good points now.” He wagged a finger at her. “Only when you come to visit me!”
At that moment, Gavin brought the little girl down to show them. Already she was losing the ugly, squash-nosed face of the newborn and Munro knew from experience that in a few days she would be beautiful. He took the child from Gavin and looked down at her then kissed the tiny forehead before giving her back.
“Come,” Gavin smiled. “Allie wants to feed her before she has a bath. She says she feels filthy after the birth. She has had two already!”
They went upstairs where Allana, still looking very, very tired but radiantly happy, was waiting for them.
“Sadly, I have come to say goodbye,” Munro announced. “I have to go and make sure nothing is going to rack and ruin while I am away. Thank you once more for your gracious hospitality.”
“It was our pleasure, Munro, as always,” Gavin said, smiling. “I am sorry you have to leave.”
Just then, Allana gave a little cough and looked at Gavin with a meaningful stare. “Oh, thank you for reminding me, my sweet,” he said. “We have thought of a name.”
“Indeed? What is it?”
“Catherine,” they chorused.
Munro was speechless, but the look on his face said everything.
Extended Epilogue
One Year Later...
“I worry about Leann,” Allana said thoughtfully to Bettina one day. “I think she is very lonely. She loves to play with Katie and Davie because she has no children of her own.”
Bettina laughed. “Allie, most women love to play with babies,” she pointed out. “It is the way God made us!”
It was August and the last of the summer days were passing quickly as the days began to shorten. Already, the temperatures were beginning to drop and it would soon be September, officially the beginning of autumn.
“I think of her in winter especially,” Allana went on. “There is little work then, so she sees almost no-one and she only comes to us for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Year. What does she do the rest of the time?”
Bettina shrugged. “I imagine she passes the time in whatever way pleases her,” she said, sighing. She was not really interested in talking about Allana’s friend. She had a happy home life of her own, a wonderful husband, a beautiful baby, and another on the way. Could life be any better?
Allana too had nothing to complain about, but Leann, to whom fate had dealt a terrible blow, was her best friend and her biggest worry. They had both suffered at the hands of the same man, Kendrick Muir, who was fortunately now deceased, but each had been scarred in her own way. However, Allana had managed to find the love of her life and the father of her child. She had no idea if Leann was even searching; just because Allana wanted something was no reason that Leann should want it too.
Perhaps I should try to find someone for her? she thought and then she scolded herself for being stupid. She would not thank me for that!
Gavin was just too tired for love that night, so he lay in a warm bath while Allana washed him, rinsing his silver-streaked hair with rosemary-scented water from a big china jug that she kept especially for that purpose. She was the only one who bathed and shaved Gavin. All his combs, brushes, and razors were kept meticulously clean by her own fair hands.
He could, of course, have done all these things himself, but it was far more pleasurable for him to have his lovely wife do them for him. They could also talk over the happenings of the day, laugh a little, and perhaps make love before they slept. It was the best time of the day, he thought.
He tilted his head back and sighed as she gently dried his hair with a soft towel. “Mm… Lady Ingram, you are a genius,” he said, his voice lazy and husky with pleasure. “How did I ever live without you?”
She smiled into the green-brown eyes that she loved. “By putting a hot stone in your bed, the same way I did,” she replied, smiling. “But I prefer to be kept warm by a tall, strong, loving man.”
He stood up and she wrapped him in a linen towel. There would be no lovemaking that night and anyway, Allana still had Leann on her mind. “Gavin, can we
do something for Leann?” she murmured. “I am so concerned about her. She must be so lonely. It is coming up to the quietest time of year for business and apart from the time she spends here, she has nothing to do. I worry about her loneliness.”
“Your concern does you credit, sweetheart, but she is a grown woman, capable of organizing her own life.”
“I just feel so sorry for her,” Allana said, sighing. “I wish there was something I could do. We are connected after all.”
“In the worst possible way!” Gavin pointed out. He thought for a moment. “Allie, you are not thinking of doing something stupid are you?”
Allana looked up at him with an expression of wounded innocence which did not fool him for a moment. “Me? Of course not!”
He looked at her with narrowed eyes. “Allie, whatever you are thinking, forget it!”
“Of course, darling,” she replied, then kissed him, turned over, and went to sleep.
Gavin snuggled into her back and did the same.
Leann was on welcoming duty at another social gathering, helping Allana who, with Gavin, was rushing from pillar to post offering drinks and making polite conversation. Allana hardly had time to think, and when she saw Leann, she begged for help, which Leann willingly gave.
“I am sure I did not invite all these people!” she said in a panicky voice.
Leann laughed and put her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Yes, you did, but you will cope. I have faith in you!”
There had been yet another white Christmas that year and the temperature had plummeted, but inside the castle, there were dozens of crackling fires and hundreds of warm bodies, so no-one suffered. Every single bedroom was occupied and the Douglas family had to share a large one, which was very cramped. However, there was a problem. They had run out of space and were short of one bed. Munro had elected to sleep on the floor and Allana was horrified.
“We cannot allow this, Gavin!” she protested. “It is bad enough that he has to crowd in a room with his children, but to sleep on the floor! It is monstrous!”
Gavin shrugged. “What would you suggest?” he asked helplessly. “We put him in the servants’ quarters?”
Leann, overhearing the conversation, said, “What is the problem? Perhaps I can help.”
Gavin explained the situation and Leann smiled. “That is very easily remedied. I have a big bed with room enough for two, so if the eldest Mistress Douglas does not mind, she can sleep with me.”
When asked, by Gavin, Munro told them it would not be a problem.
“Had you not better get her permission?” Gavin asked, frowning.
Munro looked at him a little oddly. “She is a good girl and she will do as she is told,” he informed Gavin. “Anyway, Leann is a woman of good character and pleasant nature. Fina likes her.”
When Fina was told of the arrangement, she was delighted. “I like Mistress Galbraith. She is very clever and very agreeable. It will be fun!”
That night, Leann was combing her hair when Fina knocked at the door. She bade her enter and when she did, Leann hugged her. “You have grown!” Leann told her. “Honestly, I would not have recognized you, Fina. You look lovely.”
“Thank you, Mistress,” Fina replied, smiling. “You do too. I would love to have red hair.”
Leann flapped her hand in dismissal. “You can have mine!” She laughed. “So, has any lucky young man caught your eye yet?”
“Not yet,” Fina said shyly. She was taking her clothes off a little self-consciously, so Leann turned her back until Fina had put on her nightdress then they got into bed. “I used to sleep with Mother like this when Father was away,” she murmured. “She would tell me stories or sing me to sleep.”
“Do you miss her?” Leann asked.
“Not as much as I used to,” Fina admitted. “I feel bad about that. But I still wish she was here. There is so much I need to know about…” Her voice trailed off.
“About being a woman?” Leann asked with great gentleness.
Fina nodded. “How did you know?” she asked, frowning.
“Because we all go through it,” Leann replied. “But if you have questions or you need support, ask me—if you feel I am the right person, that is.”
“Oh yes, Mistress Leann! Thank you!” she said, smiling with delight.
“I think we had better sleep now,” Leann suggested.
“Do you think my father is lonely?” Fina asked, out of the blue.
Leann was startled. “Ask him, Fina,” she replied. “I have no idea.”
“Are you lonely?” Fina asked.
“Sometimes,” Leann replied. “Sometimes, we all are, I think. Now, you must sleep. Goodnight, Fina.” She turned her back. The questions had been intrusive, but she had answered them honestly and oh, it was wonderful to have a warm body next to her own. An adolescent girl was no substitute for the hard, muscular form of a man, but still, it was comforting and soothing to share a bed again.
Fina was feeling much the same way. This woman was not her mother, but she liked her and it would be a long time before such comfort would come her way again. She closed her eyes and sleep claimed her almost at once.
The next day was Christmas Eve and the household cooks were all working overtime to prepare the mountains of food that would be needed on Christmas Day. Allana was already exhausted, but Leann had stepped in to take much of the organizing off her mind. Surprisingly, she had a willing helper in Fina who was quite happy to run errands for her the whole day, eschewing the company of the other young women of her age.
Munro noticed this and silently applauded Leann for her help in keeping his daughter occupied. Fina had a lot of spare energy to use up! They paused for a bite to eat and a glass of wine in the afternoon. Leann poured water into Fina’s, much to the girl’s chagrin.
“You are much too young for strong liquor,” Leann counseled her.
Munro, watching and listening from behind them, was reminded suddenly of Catherine. Fina had an instinctive respect for Leann’s authority, even though there was only a ten-year age gap between them. They also laughed together, which was good to see since the light had gone out of Fina’s eyes for a long time after Catherine’s death.
As he watched, Maria and Roy came to tug on each of Leann’s hands and she laughed, then drank the rest of her wine while they dragged her away to play. Fina did not follow them, so Munro took the opportunity to speak to her.
“Are the sleeping arrangements still to your liking?” he asked, smiling at her.
“Oh yes, Father!” Her voice thrilled with enthusiasm. “Roy and Maria are so jealous.”
Munro looked at his daughter fondly and realized that she had become a beauty without his even noticing. She needed a woman to help her now, not a nanny or a governess. She needed a mother.
Hogmanay had arrived. The night before the New Year was the biggest festivity in the Scots calendar. It surpassed Christmas by a long way and was the occasion for much drunken rivalry and mischief.
Leann had more or less been adopted by Fina Douglas. The girl hung on her every word and gazed at her with adoration. While she found this very flattering, Leann also felt a little oppressed by it, particularly when Fina asked her a very awkward question. “Mistress Leann...” Her voice was hesitant and slightly embarrassed. “May I ask you something?”
“Of course, you may,” Leann replied.
“I see a lot of ladies walking around with babies in their tummies,” she said, frowning. “How do they get there?”
Leann looked at her, aghast. It was the one question she had never expected she would have to answer since she had no children. For a moment, she hesitated, avoiding Fina’s eyes, and then she said gently, “Fina, is this not a question for your father?”
Fina shook her head with impatience. “I have tried to, but he always changes the subject. I wish to know before I get married so I know what needs to be done. It seems like such a big secret!”
“I will tell you, but you will likel
y think it very strange,” Leann warned her. She took Fina’s hands and gently told her about the mysteries of love. The girl watched and listened, wide-eyed and disbelieving.
“But I promise you, it is wonderful,” she concluded. “And you will want it and welcome it, I promise, since I know your father will find you a good husband.”
“But I may not want to have babies,” Fina said, puzzled. “Is there a way I can stop it?”
“There is only one way I can think of, but it does not always work,” Leann replied and then she stood up. “But that is a subject we can discuss when you are betrothed. Go and get dressed, Fina. I have an errand to run.”
The moment she was alone, Leann sought out Munro. He was chatting to an attractive young couple, so she did not disturb them. She poured herself a tankard of ale and stood for a while thinking. She had discussed a very intimate subject with Fina and she hoped that Munro would not be angry with her because he was a decent man and his good opinion meant much to her.
Finally, he finished his conversation and turned to her, smiling. “You looked as if you wanted to speak to me.”
“I did, but can we go to a less noisy place?” she asked loudly. There was shouting, laughter, and singing all around them and it was almost impossible to be heard above the noise.
Munro nodded, and they descended the stairs to the corridor outside a row of bedrooms.
“Munro, this is somewhat delicate,” Leann began, sighing. “I was asked by your daughter to tell her the facts of life and I did. I hope I did not do wrong.”
Munro threw his head back and laughed. “Leann! That is the best news I have had since I heard that Kendrick was dead. You have saved me much grief and I thank you!”
She let out a sigh of relief. “Thank Heaven!” she said, laughing. “I thought you might be furious!”
“I am so grateful to you,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “As you say, it is a delicate matter and if my Katie were here, she would have done it. It is not the kind of subject a father and daughter should discuss between them.”