“And she’s my daughter! But some things are sacred, Alex. And that birthing room is no place for a man. The pains will pass, the screaming will stop. My grandson will enter this world like a warrior.”
Alex dinna give a shite about any of that. He wanted to hold Keely’s hand, to comfort her, to take the pain inside his own body so she dinna have to suffer. “Move.” He shoved the laird’s shoulder.
Laird Oliphant laughed. “Ye shouldna have done that.” He punched Alex in the face.
The pounding pain only made Alex more determined to get inside that chamber. He kicked the laird in the shin, causing the older man to hop one leg, but he still dinna budge from the doorway.
“Father. Alex.” Broc had come abovestairs with Petro.
“What are ye doing, Alexander?” his secretary asked, shaking his head.
“This man…” Alex pointed at the laird. “Refuses to grant me access to my wife in my own house.”
“Is that true, Father?” Broc asked.
Laird Oliphant nodded. “I’ve sired seven children. And not once did I impose on yer sweet mother when she was in the birthing room.”
“Alex.” Petro said in his soothing voice. “Perhaps a drink of ale? Some bread? A walk outside?”
Alex glared at his father-in-law.
“Yer nose is bleeding, Alex.” Petro offered him a square of linen he pulled out of his tunic.
Another scream sounded, only this time, silence followed. A deafening, heart wrenching quiet that filled Alex with dread.
All of the men froze.
“Is she…” Alex started.
The cry of a baby broke the spell.
Laird Oliphant grinned and stepped aside. “Now ye can go in.”
Alex would deal with the man later. He opened the door and his gaze instantly found his beautiful wife. She was propped up on a pile of pillows, and she smiled at him as soon as she saw him.
“Alex.” She opened her arms.
He went to her and knelt beside the bed. “Are ye well, lass?”
“Aye. Tired but overjoyed.”
“Lady Keely. Laird Alex.” The midwife approached the bedside with a squirming bundle of linen. “Yer son.” She placed the bairn in Keely’s arms. “He’s beautiful.”
“Son?” Alex stared at his wife in awe.
“Aye. Our son.”
He slowly stood up and leaned over so he could get a better look. Keely folded back the material. He had dark hair like his mother and pudgy, perfect fingers. Alex gently touched his head. “Milady,” he said, gazing into his wife’s blue eyes. “I am forever indebted to ye.”
“Laird Alex,” the midwife called.
What did she want now? Couldna it wait until the special moment with his family was over? “Aye?”
“Yer daughter.” She offered another bundle to Alex this time.
“My what?” he said shakily.
“Yer precious daughter,” Keely said. “Take her in yer arms.”
