“Yer carrying,” Erin informed her.
“Oh…I believe you might be correct. I just felt something move.” Ailsa covered her belly with her hand.
Erin tilted her head to one side. “It is very early for ye to be feeling the child quickening.”
Ailsa was still absorbed with the sensation. She was caught between a feeling of wonderment and joy.
The matron sniffed. “I saw the sheet myself. Ye were pure when ye arrived.” She looked toward Diarmuid. “This baby is in a hurry. It will come early.”
Erin departed. Diarmuid came toward the bed, gently laying his hand on Ailsa’s belly.
“I truly felt it,” Ailsa whispered. “Like a butterfly inside me.”
“I saw the surprise on yer face, lass. I know ye spoke true,” Diarmuid said.
The little tap came again. “Oh, she is so strong.”
“She?” Diarmuid asked.
Ailsa worried her lower lip for a moment. “I just know it is a girl.”
She gathered her courage and looked at her husband’s face to see if he was disappointed. But there was something in thewindow behind Diarmuid. He spun around to see what she was looking at.
An owl was perched there. Its large amber eyes looked at them. The creature stayed for a moment before it turned around and glided silently across the space between the stronghold and the forest.
Diarmuid softly chuckled. “It seems we shall both be keeping that promise to Brigitta.” He turned back to Ailsa. “We shall all be the best of friends.”
Inside her womb, a tiny little kick answered her husband’s words. Ailsa stroked her belly. “Aye, we shall be the best of friends. I promise you will have all the happiness you were denied.”
The sun was bright, the day perfect. Ailsa caught a hint of new growth on the breeze, heralding a fine harvest. In the distance, the stone masons were using their hammers and chisels.
It was going to be a very good life!
The End
Additional Dragonblade books by Author Mary Wine
The Enchanted Well Series
Laird of Misrule (Book1)
Once Upon an Enchanted Well (Novella)
Highland Rogues Series
The Highlander’s Demand (Book1)
The Highlander’s Destiny (Book2)
The Highlander’s Captive (Book3)
The Highlander’s Promise (Book4)
Also from Mary Wine
Midnight Flame (Novella)
About Mary Wine
