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That night, the Great Hall was filled with Hendersons and MacGregors, and the atmosphere was festive. It had been a bountiful harvest season. The game was plentiful, and the Henderson clan was thriving. On the main dais sat Beiste and Amelia with Bram, Sorcha, and Yesenda, including their families. The rest sat in trestles spread out across the hall.
Tyra walked into the hall. She had bathed with a few drops of rose water and worn a grey tunic with a matching surcoat. She had embroidered a flowery applique design by hand. Her hair was up in a loose bun, so tendrils fell about her neck. She looked radiant, and her natural burnished lips added to the appeal.
Tyra was busy trying to find a spare seat; she failed to see Lachlan leaning casually against the back wall. He had been watching and waiting for her arrival. Before she could walk any further, his arm shot out, and he pulled her gently towards his table. “Over here, love, I saved you a seat.”
Tyra had to catch her breath at the sight of Lachlan in his clan plaid, white leine, and coat. His hair was partially wet and combed back, and his rugged jawline made him a striking figure to behold. He was every inch a Highland male, and his eyes bore deep into her soul. He gazed at her raking his eyes appreciatively over her body. It left a shiver up her spine.
“You are beautiful, lass. The is nothing bonnier in the Highlands than your rosy dimpled cheeks and sterling eyes.”
“Lachlan dinnae ply me with pretty words, remember you are about to be married.”
“Aye, that I am.” He held her gaze.
They sat in a quiet corner together as platters of food and drink flowed through the hall. Lachlan served Tyra, placing choice cuts of meat on her plate. He poured her a drink before he set about serving himself. She was embarrassed by his attention but secretly pleased.
When they began eating, Tyra asked, “You wanted to discuss the wedding?”
“Aye, if you were getting married, what would you like to have on your wedding day?”
“I dinnae think it matters what I like, Lachlan. You should think about what your bride favors.”
“But I’m asking you. In all honesty, I dinnae ken much about what women prefer, but if you were a bride, what is your greatest wish.”
It was on the tip of Tyra’s tongue to say, “My greatest wish would be you.” But she refrained.
“Just try to imagine your day, Tyra.”
“All right. I would favor a small ceremony in the chapel. I would love my close kin to be there and to marry on Henderson land. I would enjoy a weddings breakfast with simple fare and mayhap a cake and sweet treats for the bairns.”
“And what of a wedding gift from your husband?” Lachlan asked.
Tyra smiled and replied, “Tis enough for me that he is there and willing to love me for an eternity. If I had his love and he had mine then, I would want for nothing else.”
Lachlan paused and just gazed at her. He cleared his throat and said, “What about a keepsake or a trinket?”
“Mayhap a simple band around my finger to bind our vows. But really, Lachlan, you need to ask your bride. She may want something grander.”
“No, I ken she is similar to you,” he replied.
Tyra asked, “And what do you want on your wedding day, as the groom, I mean?”
“I would like Kieran by my side. He is my best friend. I dinnae mind a short chapel service. I’d like ale and food at the wedding and close kin but really, I dinnae care overly much. As long as my bride is there, and I ken she is mine forever, my heart is more than satisfied. I would also like a gold band on my finger as a symbol of our union to the world.”
“Then I think your wedding is arranged, Lachlan. I can talk to Cook to organize the fare, and the blacksmith can forge the bands. You might have to make Kieran presentable, but everything else is easy to arrange.”
Lachlan chuckled.
“Speaking of Kieran, where is he tonight? He is usually by your side.” No sooner had Tyra asked and Kieran appeared and joined them at the table.
“Och Tyra, you are a vision. Tis good to see you.”
Tyra grinned and replied, “Thank you, Kieran. Have you just finished guard duty?”
“Aye, tis busy in the Keep tonight. There are strangers about and talk of a new lass from the village joining us. I think it has brought out all the unwed men.”
Kieran had a fresh trencher of food placed beside him with some cider. A serving woman winked at him then moved on. He ate his fare with gusto. He talked with half a mouthful and asked, “So what have you two been discussing?”
“Tyra has been helping me plan my wedding,” Lachlan replied.
“Has she now?” Kieran smirked and kept eating. He turned away from them to talk to others at the table.
“Thank you, Tyra, you’ve been most helpful,” Lachlan said when it was just the two of them again.
They shared a moment and took a large swig of cider. Tyra was warring between enjoying Lachlan’s glances and reminding herself he was to be married soon. It was a bittersweet evening, but it seemed as if they had at least made some sort of peace with one another. Lachlan was no longer ignoring her, and she felt as if maybe, over time, her feelings for him would fade into friendship.
That hope was short-lived because no sooner had they settled into a comfortable rapport, Kieran slammed his cup on the table and said, “What the bloody hell is she doing here?”
Tyra felt Lachlan tense immediately, and she sensed eyes on her. She looked up in confusion at the central dais. Sorcha was staring right at her when she paled. Tyra wondered if maybe the babe was upsetting Sorcha. Then she saw the MacGregor women gazing at a point to the right of her. Zala Fletcher was already out of her chair and making her way across the hall.
Tyra turned to her right and saw a woman she had never seen before. She wore delicate garments and seemed nervous. She hovered close to their table.
“Can I help you?” Tyra asked, but the woman did not acknowledge her. Instead, she had her eyes on Lachlan, and she smiled.
Tyra glanced at Lachlan and saw recognition in his eyes, and her heartbeat plummeted. She knew immediately that this was Lachlan’s bride.
“Hello, Lachlan.”
“Heather.”
“May I sit?” she asked.
Tyra felt like an intruder, she tried to stand to offer the woman her seat, but Lachlan’s hand clamped down on her thigh as he pulled her back down.
Tyra tried to pry it away, but he locked on like a band of steel.
“I heard you were here. I... I never dreamed I’d see you again.” Heather pulled up a seat and moved it opposite them.
“What is this?” Lachlan said.
“What do you mean?” Heather asked.
“What are you doing here?” Lachlan snapped.
“I’ve come to marry you, Lachlan.”
“Over my dead body,” Kieran replied.
“Kieran, it has been a long time,” Heather said.
“Not long enough,” Kieran snorted.
“Well, this is strange. I assumed you wanted to see me, Lachlan. Twas arranged by the laird’s wife; she invited me here.”
Lachlan glared at the dais and mouthed, ‘Sorcha!’
Sorcha cringed and quickly ducked her head behind Amelia.
Lachlan murmured to himself, “Trust me to find you a bride, she said. I ken a woman in the village, she said. Tis time you wed, she said.”
Zala finally arrived and cut in, “Heather, we are sorry, but there has been some mistake. Come now, I think we need to discuss this in private.” Zala practically pulled Heather out of her chair.
They both paused when Lachlan asked, “What of your husband?”
“Davey passed two years ago, tis just me now,” Heather replied.
“And you thought you could come in here and marry me?”
“Aye, I have never stopped loving you, Lachlan.”
He snorted with disbelief.
Tyra was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “Lachlan, mayhap you two should go somewhere and talk in private.”
“No, the time for talking was years ago,” he replied, emphasizing the last part. “Before I stood at the altar and waited for Heather only to find that she’d run off with my best friend.”
“I am sorry, Lachlan, truly I am, but I was young and feckless,” Heather said.
Zala had called for reinforcements because soon Clarissa was on the other side of Heather and ushering her away.
Lachlan continued to clutch Tyra’s hand. He turned to her and said, “She is not my bride-to-be. I have but one woman I wish to spend the rest of my life with. Tyra, there is something I need to ask you and—”
Lachlan’s speech was cut short when a panicked Bram shouted, “Tyra!”
Tyra turned her head to the dais and watched the drama unfold. Bram held Sorcha in his arms. Her body was limp. Amelia was issuing orders as the occupants of the dais exited the hall.
Tyra knew that cry. Bram may be a mighty laird, but he was still her cousin, and he needed her.
***
TYRA SPRINTED OUT OF the hall towards the laird’s chamber. She was running up the stairs when she stumbled. Before her head hit the step, strong hands lifted her from behind and placed her back on her feet.
“Careful love,” Lachlan said. He was right behind her.
When they reached the top floor, Tyra noticed Beiste, Brodie, Iain, and Niall were outside.
Beiste said, “They want you inside.”
Tyra nodded and entered the chamber while Lachlan remained with the others.
Bram was hovering over Sorcha clutching her limp hand. When he saw Tyra, he looked relieved.
“All will be well, cousin,” Tyra said, and he nodded.
Amelia and Zala were moving about the room like they had done this many times before. Amelia placed her ear over Sorcha’s chest, listening to her heart. She positioned Sorcha slightly on her side. Then she felt her stomach.
“What has happened?” Tyra asked.
“Tis most likely she has fainted, but I want to make sure her heart is strong, and the bairn is well.”
“Do you feel anything?” Bram asked.
“Aye, the babe moved. But Sorcha’s heart is a little slow. She should come around soon.”
Zala came over then with strong-smelling salts and placed them under Sorcha’s nose.
It was not long before Sorcha opened her eyes.
“Bram? What happened?” Sorcha asked.
Bram and Amelia helped her into a sitting position. Bram kept kissing her cheek and reassuring her.
“You are well, Sorcha. You took on a fainting spell. How do you feel?” Amelia asked.
“I feel fine. I just felt like the world was spinning, and then it all went black.”
“Tis time you rested and stopped trying to do too much. Your matchmaking days are over,” Zala replied.
Sorcha grinned as relief spread across the room. But within moments, relief turned to concern when Sorcha bent over and grimaced. “Ouch!” she cried and clutched her belly again.
“What is it, love?” Bram asked.
“Aaah!” she groaned and clasped Bram’s hand in pain. “Something is happening, Amie, I dinnae feel right.”
Amelia glanced at Sorcha’s stomach and saw the change to indicate the bairn had shifted lower. She paled.
“What is happening?” Bram asked.
Tyra knew precisely what was happening. She glanced at Amelia and Zala for a moment as she saw the same fear reflected in their eyes. They tried to mask it from Sorcha, but Tyra knew what they knew because they had all witnessed it in the past.
In that moment, the three women were connected, knowing that new life was about to enter the world before its time. Whether mother and child survived the event was a matter for the heavens alone. Yet with that understanding came a silent pact that they would do all in their power to ensure a favorable outcome.
“Bram, Sorcha, tis time to get ready to meet your bairn because this one is impatient to be out in the world,” Tyra said.
“No, tis too soon,” Sorcha replied, panicked. “It cannot survive.” She buried her head in Bram’s neck, and he just held her tighter. His eyes remained focused on the three women. Fear and concern marred his features.
“Tis true, Sorcha, your bairn, is a wee bit early, but not so early that he cannot survive,” Tyra said.
“Aye, this bairn has MacGregor and Henderson blood in its veins. Two of the most stubborn clans in the Highlands. Dinnae rule them out just yet,” Amelia said as she stared at Sorcha, willing her to believe and have faith.
Sorcha nodded with quiet resolve in her tone, “Aye, you’re right, Amie, I didnae marry a stubborn ox for nothing!”
“And I didnae marry a fearless wench for nothing!” Bram replied.
“Tis important you remain calm. Ken that you are in good hands,” Zala said.
The three women were already on the move. Amelia stepped outside and had a private word with Beiste. He kissed her forehead then squeezed her arm in reassurance. She issued orders to the men for hot water and towels, and various other items from her chamber. Then she requested that they pray because there was only so much human hands could do. Between them, they were going to give it their all.
“Tyra, is there anything you need?” Lachlan asked.
“Aye, Lachie, can you fetch my healer’s basket? I keep a spare one in the solar.”
Lachlan’s eyes softened at her nickname for him, “I’ll see to it.”
“I am here also if you need me,” Yesenda said, “but I dinnae want to be in the way.” She was sitting beside Iain. Tyra nodded.
When Tyra entered the chamber, Sorcha’s contractions came closer together, and Sorcha was in immense pain. Bram refused to leave her side. His presence calmed Sorcha, so Amelia let him stay.
And so it was, Henderson Keep settled in for a long and worrying night ahead. Each time a shout of pain or low moan could be heard from the chamber, the Keep tensed. Within the room, Amelia, Zala, and Tyra fought to keep both mother and child alive. At different intervals, Clarissa and Yesenda also lent a hand. Then just as the hour passed midnight, a loud scream reverberated off the Keep walls, then there was dead silence from within the chamber.
The men remained on tenterhooks outside. No one moved as they waited and held their breath. Straining to hear. Seconds passed, and still nothing. Then there was murmuring and raised voices and finally the soft cry of a newborn bairn.
The chamber door opened several moments later, and Bram emerged, haggard and elated. His eyes were wet, then he shouted, “I have a son! Cináed Darroch Henderson because he is born of fire and strong as oak!”
The men erupted in cheers as they greeted Bram with congratulations.
Sorcha wept and held her son close to her chest while Amelia cut and tied the cord inside the chamber. She then helped Sorcha deliver the afterbirth. Ever the teacher, Amelia said, “Tyra, tis important nothing of the bairn remains inside lest it causes fever or worse.”
When all was done, Zala took the babe to clean, and she wrapped him in cloth and plaid while Amelia, Tyra, and Clarissa attended to Sorcha. Within the hour, the bedding was changed, and the room was cleaned.
Sorcha was exhausted but elated as she held Cináed, now swaddled in cloths. Bram sat beside her, one arm about her shoulders as he gazed at their son.
“Hello, mo laochain,” Sorcha whispered to her babe.
“Aye, he is a wee hero indeed,” Bram said with pride.
The women decided to leave the couple alone so they could bond with their son. When they emerged from the chamber exhausted and weary, their husbands waited and whisked them away with haste.
Tyra waved them off, and she was surprised to see Lachlan waiting by the stairs for her. “Come, tis time for bed. You are exhausted,” he said. Lachlan pulled her into his arms as they walked down the stairs. When they reached his floor, she was practically dead on her feet. Before she knew it, Lachlan lifted her into his arms and continued walking.
“Put me down, Lachie, I am too heavy.”
He ignored her, and she was too tired to argue. Tyra rested her head on Lachlan’s shoulder as they walked down another hallway.
“Where are we going?”
“To my room.”
“But I—”
“Tis too far to your cottage, and I dinnae want you to sleep anywhere else tonight. My chamber is clean and warm.”
When they walked in, Tyra noticed the bed was made, and there was a small tub by the fire with steaming hot water rising from it.
Lachlan placed her on her feet.
“The Keep staff prepared a hot bath and some clean garments. You just delivered the laird’s son. They were happy to do it. I will give you time to bathe then I will return. He left the room.
Tyra stripped off and groaned when she sat in the tub. It was warm and cleansing. She scrubbed herself and dried off, then changed into a clean shift.
Lachlan knocked and entered. He removed the tub. When he returned, Tyra was in bed and fast asleep. He smiled as that warmth hit his chest again. A feeling of possessiveness stole over him that she was there in his bed, and he was determined she would remain there forever. Lachlan pulled the blanket up over her, then he washed, changed his clothes, and with his plaid, he set up a pallet on the floor by the bed.
***