Page 27 of Promises to Keep

Emma said, “Beaty! Are you pregnant?”

The entire table did a slo-mo turn to look at Beaty.

She had the look of a sad-eyed puppy, pleading, ill, drawn face, a pallor. Without answering she clutched her stomach and heaved again.

James clamped a hand over his mouth to keep from heaving himself.

Quentin said, with his eyes very wide, “Beaty, babe, you pregnant?”

She nodded solemnly, “Aye, Quennie, I believe I am.”

He threw his arms around her, crouching in front of her chair. “Oh my God, Beaty! We’re going to have a baby?”

She nodded, her head rubbing up and down on his shoulder.

Emma clapped happily. “This is wonderful news, how lucky! We’re going to have another baby!”

Beaty said, “I need tae lie down.”

Sophie put out her hand. “I will accompany ye tae the bathroom, we can get you cleaned up and settled back in bed.”

Beaty wailed, “I daena want tae leave the conversation, I need tae... what if the bairns need me?”

Emma said, “Well, you’re right, of course, let’s get you cleaned up, and we’ll get you something that tastes good and put you in a comfy chair, right here, so you can hear the discussion.”

As they left, Magnus said, “This is outstanding, totally outstanding! A bairn! Colonel Quentin, I am verra pleased for ye!”

Quentin was beaming as we all hugged him and the men hugged and pounded him on the back. Then we all returned to our seats. Magnus said, “Are ye nervous, Colonel Quentin?”

“No... not really... wait... should I be?”

James laughed. “Only because you’re about to be a dad, no pressure, but that’s a big deal.”

Magnus said, “Ye will hae tae be the moral, ethical, and spiritual guide for yer first son, tis a verra big deal. Any man would be nervous on hearing the news.”

Quentin ran his hands over his head. “When you put it that way.”

Fraoch said, “Aye, many a man will become a father, but tis the verra rare man who becomes it well.”

Quentin groaned.

Lochinvar said, “Nae, Quentin, this is nae a big deal, ye just do what a man does — get yer wife pregnant tae prove she is yers. Then yer job is over except tae give the bairn his first sword andthenthe fun begins.” He leaned back wisely in his chair. “Then ye teach the wee lad tae smite his enemy and yer—”

We all groaned.

Fraoch pushed his knees. “Sit up straight, Lochinvar.”

Lochinvar sat up straight.

Magnus said, “I was teasin’ him with the ‘Ye must be the spiritual guide of yer son’, but ye hae taken it much too far, Lochie. Ye hae said the most frightening thing of all, that a man is inconsequential except in the creation of the son. Or in teachin’ the son tae fight.”

Quentin’s eyes were very wide.

Beaty entered from the bathroom, and collapsed across the room on the couch. “Ye are alright, Quennie?”

“Yes, we’re really doing this?”

She said, “Aye.”

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