Page 66 of The Eagle

Finally, she said. “Tell me about the house and the lands.”

Chapter Eighteen

The green flecks in Stuart’s eyes had a mesmerizing effect. Cait could not tear her eyes away. She was glad he’d sought her out and wished to spend time with her.

Her brother had told her that Stuart professed to love her and wished to take her back to his lands. Not only her, but he’d mentioned her mother and brother and that meant a great deal.

She wanted to hear everything he had to say. So Cait pushed her doubts away as she waited for him to pour another bit of brandy into their glasses.

“The house is on the side of a hill…” he began and described everything in great detail. From the layout of the house to the two women who worked in the kitchen. He told her of purchasing chickens and other animals so that soon the hills behind the house would be brimming with sheep, the courtyard filled with chickens, and the pens crowded with goats.

“On one side of the house where the morning sun shines, we planted a vegetable garden. On the opposite side, I hope ye will plant flowers.” Stuart stopped speaking and placed a kiss on her cheek. “If ye agree to marry me and come to live there that is.”

Cait knew she would, but waited, wanting to hear more.

“I hired men to till the large field that we cleared,” Stuart continued. “The field is also on the west side of the house, from where we harvested trees to build guard quarters and animal pens. We had to down a lot of trees to repair the house as well.”

He took a large drink of brandy. “I am convinced ye will love it.”

“I do wish to see it,” Cait admitted.

Stuart leaned forward until their lips almost touched. “Return with me.”

“The baby,” Cora appeared at the door. “The laird’s bairn is arriving.”

Cait jumped to her feet, both from the news and because Cora walked in on Stuart about to kiss her. She looked to Stuart. “We should go see.”

Together they hurried down the corridor to Darach and Isobel’s bedchamber on the opposite side of the house.

Stuart stopped outside the door, joining Gideon and Darach. Just then Caelan and Duncan appeared at the top of the stairs. Both were soaked through but grinning.

Cora turned in a circle and held out her arm stopping both men. “I will have baths drawn so ye do not catch yer death.”

The brothers nodded and then went to their eldest brother, who looked pale and worried.

Cait walked past the group and into the room.

Isobel was atop the bed, her face contorted with pain. “Where is Mother? Beatrice?” she asked Cait.

“I am sure their travel is delayed because of the storm,” Cait replied.

When Isobel began to cry, Lady Mariel and Annis, soothed her.

The midwife looked up at Isobel. “Ye can push now.”

Isobel shook her head. “No, I can’t,” she pronounced emphatically.

“Ye must darling,” Lady Mariel said in a soft tone. “Yer mother will arrive shortly and will be so proud of ye and so very happy to see the wee one.”

Just then the door burst open, and Beatrice hurried to her sister’s bedside. “So sorry Issy. I had to stop and dry myself before coming up here.” She patted her sister’s stomach. “Come along now ye wee bairn.”

Happy to see a member of her family, Isobel began to push. Between pains, they did their best to distract her with silly anecdotes until the pains were so close together, there was no time to do much more than soothe her.

Cait worried one moment and felt pride the next. That women were so brave to go through something so painful to bring a child forth was awe-inspiring.

At the sound of the baby’s first wail, everyone began to cry.

“It is a boy,” the midwife announced holding up the red-faced child.