“Truly? I find brawling in the mud does wonders.” William smirked. “We should all have a go, see if your swordplay is as lacking as your ability to find a bride.”
“Haven’t you heard? I can find them; it’s the wedding of themthat’s the problem.” Christian rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Henry.
His brother, soon to be a father for the second time, was the same color as the clouds in the sky. His hands shook as he drank deeply from the goblet he was holding as if it had powers from faerie. “Have you seen Peter’s monsters? How they terrorize the servants?”
William cuffed him on the ear. “If Lucy hears you speaking ill of our grandchildren, she will invite you out to the lists or poison your wine. Though, in truth, Peter would agree. I confess, we sometimes hide in the stables or the larder to escape the twins when they visit.”
“Lads are easy,” Henry said. “Give them a sword and send them to foster with a good family. But girls. And twins as well. They may only be four, but I would rather face a fire-breathing dragon than the two of them with mischief on their minds. Poor Peter.” He shuddered.
“They’re already beautiful,” William said. “I’ll have to kill every man that comes to woo them. I told my son his daughters are not to marry until they are two score, if ever.” He grunted. “Did you hear what the angels did a fortnight ago? They put rotten eggs in all the guards’ boots then sounded the alarm. Had been searching out old eggs and hiding them down in the cellar for months. When the guards put their boots on, the stench was dreadful.” He leaned against the wall, crossing one booted foot in front of the other. “As all grandmothers, Lucy is blind to their faults. Thought they were clever to plan such a trick at their ages.” He grinned. “I was rather proud of them, but don’t tell my wife.”
“Melinda thought it was amusing,” James added. “Said when she was six she let a skunk into the car of a mean teacher; said she wasn’t sure who was more alarmed, the skunk or the man. All the women look at those two savages and all they see are angels.” He poured wine for them.
Robert entered the hall, pale and sweating. “James, I found yourEmma with the boys. They were showing her how to throw a dirk. Saints, she’s not yet two.”
Christian clapped a hand over his mouth so he wouldn’t laugh. Henry and John’s sons might only be two years old, but they were more terrifying than the girls. When he had children they would be well mannered and well behaved.
James sprawled in the chair, legs stretched out in front of him. “Never too early for the lass to learn.”
“Better not let Melinda hear you say such.” Robert wiped his brow and poured a cup of the spiced wine.
James looked to the stairs as if worried his wife had somehow heard him, and this time Christian could not hold the laughter in.
“I will remind you of this moment when you have your own offspring.”
He stopped laughing. Melinda could terrify the guard with a look. As his brothers had children, Christian watched them to see what kind of parents they might become. Anna and John let their son run free, while Charlotte and Henry believed in rules, which Christian found amusing. Though with their second child on the way, perchance his brother would not worry overmuch. Then again, what did he know? He didn’t yet have babes. Or a wife.
As if she had heard Christian’s thoughts, Charlotte let out another scream, causing Henry to spill his wine.
Christian paced the length of the hall, grateful everyone was too concerned with the coming babe to question him overmuch on where he had spent the past two days.
A sound on the stairs brought them to their feet as Melinda appeared, looking tired but full of joy.
“Congratulations, Henry. You have two beautiful girls.”
Henry swayed, and would have ended up face first on the rug if James hadn’t caught him. The rest of them were too stunned to move. More twins. Girls. Mayhap Christian had been too hasty in wanting children. He’d never thought he might have girls. What did one do with small females?
James pushed Henry down in the chair. “Put your head between your legs and breathe. Deep breaths.”
The smell of whiskey filled the room. Robert inhaled deeply. “From Connor. Before he…left.” He poured and passed a cup to Henry.
“Drink. You’ll feel better.”
Henry took two gulps before looking up at Melinda. “Did you saytwogirls?”
Melinda’s joy filled the hall. And that quickly, Christian again wanted children, even twin girls. Surely they could not all be like Peter’s daughters. He took a drink of Connor’s whiskey, enjoying the smoky taste as the liquid pooled in his belly, filling him with warmth.
“Yes. Twins.” She hugged Henry, her eyes meeting James, and something passed between them, bringing the loneliness back to Christian’s heart.
“Ready to see your daughters?”
Henry nodded weakly. “Aye.”
He allowed Melinda to lead him out of the hall.
“Well done, brother.” Robert raised his cup.
John and Edward discreetly wiped their eyes as Henry passed by.
