Page 13 of To Wed a Witch
Bhaltair nodded."Do ye need help?"
"No, thank ye—I can manage.But if ye take a seat by the fire, we will join ye shortly for some repast.There is much we should discuss."
"I agree," he replied, and despite himself he smiled at the child, who surprisingly returned it.
Soon the three of them were settled by the fire with freshly brewed tea and bannock before them.Aidyn had a full belly now and was content sitting on Sìne's lap.
"I take it the wedding will not go ahead now," Sìne asked.
"What makes ye think that?"Bhaltair replied.
"Well, 'tis just that I ken ye will not want an unwed mother and her bast—"
"It goes ahead as planned," Bhaltair cut her off with a determined voice.
She stared at him with shock."But ye can renege from the betrothal."
"Why would I wish to do that?"
"Because 'tis clear I dinnae come to the marriage a virgin."She blushed at the word.
"I hope ye dinnae mind me saying this, but if we're being honest...neither do I," Bhaltair replied.
Sìne stared at him askance.Deep inside, she wanted to scratch out the eyes of any woman he had been with, but then she recognized the hypocrisy of such a thing.
Bhaltair continued, "What matters is that we satisfy the marriage contract and make the best of things."
"Oh, I see."Sìne remembered that he needed her dowry desperately, and that put a slight dampener on things.
At that moment, Aidyn gurgled and reached out for Bhaltair.Sìne was about to stop her, but without thought Bhaltair took the child.He settled her against his chest and began rocking her gently.To Sìne's surprise, Aidyn rested her head against Bhaltair's shoulder and sucked her thumb, seemingly content with her place in the world.It was not long before Aidyn's eyes began to droop, and soon she proceeded to fall asleep with her head safely tucked against Bhaltair's shoulder.In response, Bhaltair placed his large hand against her back to hold her secure.
It was all Sìne could do not to burst into tears at the gesture.It struck her that even her daughter instinctively felt safe with this Highlander.Then she had a disturbing thought.What if Bhaltair meant to leave Aidyn with the MacKays?
"I'll not leave Aidyn behind," Sìne declared.
"I dinnae expect ye to.A child should be with her mother and a wife should be with her husband," Bhaltair replied.
The relief on Sìne's face was so clear."I thank ye.I promise she will not be much trouble and—"
"Calm yerself.There is no need to fret.While I canna believe yer father omitted this part, now that I ken the truth, Aidyn comes with us."
"Thank ye."
"Dinnae thank me, lass.Before now I felt ye were bringing everything to the bargain and I nothing.But now..."
"Now?"
"I can at least offer ye something in return.My name for yer daughter and her mother to wed."
Sìne's tears fell then freely, and she could barely speak.She felt grateful and decided there and then she would do everything in her power to be a good wife to Laird Ferguson, even if he would never love her...it was enough that he accepted her child.
Then his face became serious when he said, "But, Sìne..."
"Aye?"
"Ye will never mention her father or talk about him in my presence.He forfeited that right when he abandoned ye and Aidyn."
"I dinnae intend to—"
