“Bwia, Bwia, Bwia!”
Simone led her over to a man with a bairn strapped to his chest, kicking like he was running down a hill. “Maitland, this is Brynja. Brynja, this is one of the chieftains of Duart Castle along with Dyna, Maitland Menzie. What is he saying?”
The wee lad reached for her, but Brynja wasn’t sure what to do.
“Welcome, Brynja,” Maitland said with a nod of his head. “This is my son, Grant, and I think he’s been waiting for you for a long time. He seems to know you.”
“Waiting for me?” She couldn’t have been more surprised.
“Bwia, Bwia…” he reached for her so Brynja lifted her hand, setting her finger against the palm of the lad’s hand, the boy gripping her tightly. He smiled and whispered, “Bwia.”
“He knows you.” Maitland’s brow furrowed. “But how?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been here before.” Brynja stared down at the small hand gripping her finger.
“I think he’ll never let you leave.”
Simone said, “Talk to him, Brynja. Tell him why you’re here.”
She tipped her head down and said, “Greetings to you, Grant. I have to go see the healer to make sure my friend is hale. I hope she’s fixed now. I miss her already.”
Grant calmed down and waved at her, his thumb going into his mouth after he let go of her finger.
The door opened, and three men entered, one coming straight to her. Hagen approached while Jowell and Paden went for food from the sideboard.
“You’ve arrived, Brynja. Welcome to Duart Castle. I have to admit that I’m surprised to see you here. You came with Simone?”
“Aye,” she replied, biting a fingernail. “Hildi is no better. Simone said Brenna could fix her, that she was still here for a visit. She didn’t know when Brenna would be leaving so we came right away.”
“I’d be pleased to show you around,” he said.
Dyna flew over with a laugh. “We have guests, I see, Maitland. Are you staying the night, lass?”
“I will, if you don’t mind. But I can sleep with Hildi in the healer’s chamber.”
“Absolutely not. I’ll find you a chamber that you can share with Hildi when she improves. Hagen, would you introduce us, please? Or should I guess her name?”
“Brynja, this is my sister, Dyna Corbett, Chieftain of Clan Grantham. Dyna, this is Brynja from Iona.”
Grant popped his thumb out of his mouth, suddenly kicking and reaching for her again. “Bwia, Bwia, Bwia.”
Dyna reached for the laddie, taking him out of his father’s fashioned sling over his chest. “You wish to see Brynja, Grant?”
“Bwia, Bwia.”
“Do you like bairns, Brynja? Would you like to hold him? He seems to like you.”
“I’ve been to Ionaland many times, and they always have bairns. I’d love to hold him.” She put her hands under the lad’s arms and lifted him, settling him on her hip. Grant set his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.
Dyna whispered, “Oh my.” She peeked up at Maitland.
Maitland said, “I’m shocked. He loves you, Brynja. You must be special.”
Brynja took in the boy’s sweet scent and smiled, but then she froze.
“Who is this lass?” Hagen’s mother headed straight for them.
Brynja panicked, handed Grant back to Maitland and ran over to the only other door besides the door the serving lasses came out. She prayed it was the healing chamber.
