Page 63 of Plaid Attitude
And ‘twas just easier to allow her family to believe ‘twas Evander’s illegitimacy—as proof of her husband’s wild oat sowing—which had hardened her heart against him.
But now Coira was in charge of the clan, and she was the one who invited Evander to these gatherings, so Anna was polite, at least. Olaf, bless his heart, didn’t even notice his bastard son’s presence, so enthralled was he with the chubby bairn in his arms.
The bairn in Anna’s own arms whimpered softly, and she cooed as she lifted the wee lass to her shoulder. One of Nicola’s twins, she’d been born a month early, and likely missed her brother; it looked as if the wee lad had fallen asleep attached to his mother’s breast.
Actually, it looked as ifNicolahad fallen asleep as well.
Anna smiled as Ramsay settled himself—and his wife—to rest against the back of the chair. The healer had dark circles under her eyes, and so did Ramsay, for that matter. The twins might’ve been small, but they were hearty, and apparently demanding as well.
Ramsay’s parents’ brood of children had proved foretelling…his mother had been a help with Nicola’s difficult pregnancy, and they certainly had the resources to handle another set of bairns. Anna wondered if twins ran in the family; Ramsay had twin siblings, and now twin children.
She made a mental note to offer to sit up with the bairns tonight. She might be auld, but she could spare a few hours to enjoy her grandbairns’ company if it meant a bit of relief for poor Nicola.
To her left, young Bessetta leaned forward. “May I hold her next?” she asked in a low voice, so as not to startle the babe.
Anna nodded. “As soon as I’ve had my fill.” Mayhap the lassie would stay awake with her as well, to play with the bairns. Bessetta had a good heart with plenty of room in it for other creatures. “Do ye remember how to support her head?”
“Of course, I do,” the lassie pouted. “I need to practice.”
Anna raised a brow and gave Bessetta her full attention. “Are ye already planning for yer future?” Despite what the lassie had gone through last year, Anna knew she’d been eyeing some of the local lads—the ones her age—with interest.
But now the girl flushed. “Nay, dinnae fash. I just want to be ready when my brother or sister arrives.”
Startled, Anna’s wide-eyed gaze swung to the couple across the table.
The way Doughall groaned and dropped his forehead to his hand, they’d heard Bessetta’s announcement.
“Is there something ye need to tell us?” Anna prodded, trying to hide her smirk.
“Nay.” Coira glared at Bessetta. “Wetoldye we werenae ready, Bess.”
The lassie didn’t seem fazed by her stepmother’s scolding. She just shrugged and reached up to brush a finger along the bairn’s cheek.
“Ye’ve claimed that,” she said, “but the clan needs ye to have a son. ‘Twould be the best way to solidify yer power.”
The lassie had a strong grasp of politics, and Anna smiled, knowing she’d picked that up from Anna herself. During the last year, the two of them had spent plenty of time together; ‘twas almost like having one of her daughters who still needed her.
“Bess…” Coira looked flustered as she reached for Doughall’s hand. “We already have an heir who is capable and smart and can wield a sword.”
Almost reluctantly, Doughall’s lips curled upward. “And she has a clear understanding of people.”
Bessetta was shaking her head. “Idinnae want to be the next leader of the Oliphants, Da. I want to play with bairns and my animals and find homes for them.” She pointed a finger at him. “Ye told me once I’d make a fine wife. I want to be a wife and mother, Da, no’…”
She trailed off and flopped her hand about, seeming to take in the entire great hall.
As Coira sighed, Doughall began to chuckle. “Well, wife?” he said, lifting Coira’s hand to brush a kiss across her fingertips. “It sounds like ye need an heir.”
“Weneed an heir,” she corrected with a scowl.
Doughall reached over and snaked his free hand behind her neck. “Gladly, milady.” When he pulled her lips to his, cheers broke out through the great hall.
Anna’s gaze traveled down the length of the table, a sense of contentment filling her.
Two years ago, when she’d suggested this ridiculous ultimatum to Olaf, she’d known her daughters would object. But she’d also known ‘twas the best way to get them married.
And it had worked, if not quite in the way she’d imagined.
Leanna and Kenneth.
