Chapter Fourteen
“Jocelyn’s a bonnielass,” Alexander spoke once they’d all filed into Gunn’s study.
“Ye have a wife and a wee one,” Gunn stated but he was only jesting. Alexander was the one out of all of their friends that they thought would never settle down. None of them had realized he’d been pining for Nicholas’s sister, nor that Clarissa had been for him either. But it was obvious once they’d seen each other.
“Ye have been busy growing your families. I am happy to see it. The ladies look happy and well loved. Nicholas, are ye trying to beat your parent’s record?” Gunn chuckled.
Nicholas had six siblings that he cared for after their father had passed. Most could take care of themselves, but he had a set of twins on the younger side. Gwen had a brother their age, along with two others. Now with the addition of two wee ones and one on the way, Huntly Castle’s walls were indeed full.
“We both said we wanted children. Why wait? Speaking of, Malcolm, what are ye waiting for?”
“Hey now,” Malcolm chided. “If it happens, it happens. ’Tis no’ for lack of trying on our end, if ye ken what I mean?”
“I ken verra well,” Gunn murmured. “Did ye enjoy the ride o’er?”
Finlay barked out a laugh. “I love a good carriage ride.” He waggled his eyebrows.
“Ye both are the worst. What would Lizzie and Willamina say if they heard ye speak of such things?”
“They would agree,” Finlay and Malcolm said in unison.
“Let me bring these two to their nanny. They can use naps, then we can get down to business,” Nicholas said as he stood.
“Come here, Bennie,” Alexander called and scooped the tot up in his arms. “Uncle Alex will help your papa get ye and your wee sis to bed.”
Malcolm nodded toward the door Nicholas and Alexander had just disappeared through. “Ye ready for that?” he asked Finlay.
“I canna wait. I tried to convince Willamina to stay home.” He looked at Gunn. “No’ because I didna want to come. She’s so close. What would have happened if the bairn decided to come whilst we were traveling?”
“I would have understood, but I’m glad ye came. ’Tis been too long since we’ve all been together.”
“Aye,” Finlay agreed.
“I think we could all use a drink before we get down to serious talk.” He stood and went over to the sideboard that was well-stocked with the finest whisky. As he poured the dark amber liquid into glasses, he thought about the bairns. Those already here and those on the way. Including Jocelyn’s, wondering if she would have a lass that favored her mama’s looks, or a lad that favored his papa’s.
He frowned. Would he find that upsetting? There was a good chance that the bairn would look like their father. He shook the feeling away before it had time to fester. The bairn would be loved. And treated as if it were his own. The wee one would never ken any different.
“Are ye going to pass those out or just stand there like an oaf?” Malcolm asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Sorry.”
“What are ye sorry for now?” Alexander asked as he walked in, Nicholas close behind.
“Apparently, I wasna passing out the whisky soon enough.”
With drinks in hand, they all took a seat, their attention focused on Gunn. He sipped his drink, letting the liquid heat his throat.
“Ye ken the women are gossiping in the salon,” Alexander said. “’Tis time for our own. Out with it. How did ye meet Jocelyn?”
Gunn went through the story of how she entered his pub that night and how she hadn’t left since. How they were planning for their future.
“I need your help with a couple of things.”
Nicholas grew serious. “Aught. Ye name it.”
“Her husband is currently searching for her. ’Twill no’ be long before he realizes she’s escaped north instead of south as he originally thought.”
“Are ye certain?” Finlay asked.
