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Lachlan began introducing each one. His mother Addie, Cavan’s wife Honora, and Tavish, the twin named after Lachlan’s father. Zia and Artair and a yapping Champion, a loveable dog who came bouncing in the room from what Addie explained was his favorite haunt, the kitchen.
“You need food, a bath, and rest, in that order,” Addie said and took her hand.
Addie had Alyce seated at the table before the hearth with food in front of her before she could say a thing, and she didn’t hesitate in assuaging her hunger. Besides, she would rather her mouth be full, since she wasn’t in the mood to converse with Lachlan’s family.
They were his family, not hers, and seeing them content and happy only made her miss her family more.
“We are so pleased to have you as part of our family, Alyce,” Addie said, refilling her tankard. “We couldn’t wait for Lachlan to bring you home.”
“This isn’t my home,” Alyce said bluntly.
The table turned silent.
“I do my duty as my father wishes,” Alyce explained.
“That is good. You will be an obedient wife to my brother,” said the strong and commanding voice.
Alyce turned expecting to face Cavan, laird of the clan Sinclare, and ready to speak her mind. However, the impressive height and width of him coupled with the way he tenderly cradled his sleeping son in his arms stunned her silent.
Honora rose to take the child from him and placed him in the cradle beside his sleeping brother.
Cavan went to his brother Lachlan and greeted him with a firm hand to his shoulder. “It is good to have you and your wife safely home.” He turned to Alyce. “Welcome to our family.”
“I really didn’t have much choice in the matter,” Alyce said tartly.
“Not many of us do,” Cavan said and slipped his arm around his wife as he nestled beside her.
“You didn’t wish to wed your wife?” Alyce asked, knowing full well their story and expecting the laird to take insult.
Honora laughed. “Neither of us wished to wed the other, but we found ourselves stuck.”
Lachlan playfully poked Alyce in the side beneath the table.
She jabbed him back and said, “And you accepted this fate without question?”
“I had a duty,” Cavan said, “and so did Honora, and I thank the heavens everyday that in honoring my duty, I was blessed with the perfect wife.”
“I have the perfect wife,” Artair challenged with a grin.
“That’s true he does,” Zia agreed happily.
“I hate to disappoint all of you,” Lachlan said and thumped his chest. “But my wife is perfection.”
The three brothers raised and clanked their tankards together and gave a roar.
The weight of the journey suddenly descended over Alyce and she found it difficult to keep herself upright. She soon had no choice but to rest against Lachlan and his arm went quickly around her.
“You’re tired,” he said with concern.
“It’s been too long of a journey,” Addie offered.
“Especially since she is with child,” Lachlan said with pride, though concern remained.
Addie clapped with joy. “More grandbabies. I’m so very blessed.”
Everyone else took turns offering congratulations while Alyce was overcome with a longing for her home and her sisters. She wanted their comfort not these strangers, and damn if tears didn’t threaten her eyes. She fought them, but she was so exhausted it took the last bit of strength she had to keep them locked away.
Addie stood as did Honora and after Zia handed Blythe to Artair, she stood as well.
“We’ll get you washed and settled in bed,” Addie said.
That did it for Alyce. She didn’t want strangers tending her. She wanted the women who had faced the roughest of times with her and remained strong and ready to care for each other.
Alyce bolted up, tears clearing paths down her muddy cheeks. “I don’t need your help, nor do I want it.” Hit with a sudden pain, her hand flew to her stomach. Her eyes turned wide, and she didn’t know what to do or who to turn to.
Lachlan had her up in his arms in seconds.
Zia was quick to order Lachlan to take his wife up to their bedchamber.
Lachlan hurried out of the hall with his wife in his arms. “Zia is an excellent healer. She will take care of you.”
Alyce kept silent until they entered his bedchamber. “Put me down,” she commanded sharply. “The pain has passed, I’m fine.”
He eased her to her feet. “Perhaps but it is best—”
“I need a bath and sleep.”
“After Zia has a look at you,” he said calmly, but firmly.
Zia entered just then followed by Addie and Honora.
Alyce was quick to make her wants known. “I don’t need your help, a bath and bed is all I need.”
Lachlan looked ready to object, but his mother spoke first.
“I’ll see to having a bath made ready,” Addie said and Honora offered to help, leaving only Zia.
