Page 80 of The Burden of a Scottish Chieftain
Or perhaps he wouldn’t tell her at all.
EPILOGUE
End of summer, a few weeks later
A loud cheer erupted as soon as Maitland and Maeve made their way off the boat, followed by applause that put a smile on both of their faces. The day was still warm, though the cool breeze let them know that autumn was near. Maitland wore a tight plaid wrapped around him, a wee bald head peeking out of the top that he kept his hand on quite often.
Dyna and Derric led the row of horses to Duart Castle, not a sound from the wee laddie wrapped up tight against his father’s broad chest. Dyna said, “I cannot wait to hold him, Derric. I haven’t held a wee bairn in a while. It’s so exciting to have a newly born babe with us. Eli!” she shouted to the rider behind her. “Your turn next.”
Eli let out an unladylike snort. “Spit and slime, not likely!”
Once back at the castle, the group crowded into the great hall, with everyone anxious to get their first peek at Maitland and Maeve’s son. They’d married late in life and were so excited with this bairn, probably their only child.
The hall filled with clan members and visitors while Grant and Menzie guards surrounded the castle, chaos reigning with the chatter of voices, giggling children running about, and two proud parents, neither one allowing their gazes to travel away from their son for long. Once everyone was inside, Maitland let out a whistle. His son, still strapped to his chest, now faced everyone, his wide eyes taking in everything with a fist in his mouth. Just over two moons old, he was as happy as any baby Dyna had ever seen.
But she knew this baby was special. She’d seen it in her dreams, told her husband, and felt it to her bones. Decades ago, a woman had come to her in her dreams and told her she was to be the protector of her grandfather, Alexander Grant. The dayhe’d passed on, he visited her early and thanked her for watching over him.
He’d known all along.
She’d been informed a while ago by the same woman that she had a new assignment, the newborn son of Maitland and Maeve.
“What’s his name?” Connor asked. “Before we can go home, Sela and I have to know.”
Maitland moved to the dais with their son, Maeve holding one hand and looking as proud and happy as ever.
“Name! We need a name,” Alasdair said, waving his hands to everyone to shush them. “Come on, Chief. Tell us.”
The group began to chant, “Name, name, name, name…!”
Maitland waited until everyone quieted, and Maeve leaned against him, wiping the happy tears from her face. “Do you wish to tell them, Maeve?”
His wife had always been shy, and things hadn’t changed. She shook her head and said, “You. Your voice is stronger. You tell them.” Since she was an adopted daughter of Alex and Maddie Grant, she’d always been more reserved and lived at home until she’d married Maitland almost a year ago.
“Everyone, meet our son, Alexander Drew Menzie Grantham.”
Dyna whispered, “Alexander Grantham. Oh my. Another one.”
Her father moved over next to her and asked, “What do you think?”
“I love it. It’s perfect.” How she hoped Grandsire was listening. Surely, he was.
“I can’t wait to tell everyone when we go home,” her father whispered.
Tora ran over and tugged on her grandfather’s plaid. “Uppie, Gwandpapa.”
Dyna’s father lifted Tora up and tossed her into the air twice, a fit of giggles bubbling from her belly. “Now what is it you wish to tell me before we go?”
Tora placed her hand on his cheek and brought her face close, looking at her mother and then back at her grandfather. Then she whispered, “You canna go home, Gwandpapa. Don’t tell.”
She started to shove against her grandfather’s chest to get down, but her mother stopped her. “Why can’t he go, Tora?”
Tora pointed to the baby. “Don’t tell Maitland.”
***
It was nearly the end of the day and Magni was tired. The hall was full of good cheer and happiness. They’d come with Thane and Tamsin to welcome Maitland back and to meet his wife and son. There had been laughter and food and storytelling all day, but Magni was exhausted.
Where was his sister?
