Highland Grace Read Free Page B

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if all my grandsons would be at my side for the holiday,” Lady
Maclean replied.
    “Daniel sent a missive to him, but,
curiously, we have yet to receive a reply," Maryn said
worriedly.
    Jesslyn’s heart tripped and her head shot up.
“I…I doubt he’d travel all the way back here so soon, anyway,” she
said a bit breathlessly to Maryn, then turned her gaze on Branwenn.
There was a much-too-wise look in Branwenn’s big violet-colored
eyes before the lass looked away, which unsettled Jesslyn further.
Branwenn had been acting very peculiarly toward her since being
informed of Jesslyn’s pregnancy. She watched her constantly.
Surely, Bao hadn’t told his sister about their tryst? Nay, he was
much too protective of the lass’s innocence to have done such a
thing. A blush formed on Branwenn’s cheeks and Jesslyn became even
more alarmed that she somehow knew the truth. If Daniel ever found
out, he’d bring Bao back and force him to wed her. And she could
think of no greater torture than to be wed to a man that would
resent her for all his days for taking away his much-desired
freedom.
    “Branwenn, you look flushed. Are you feeling
well?” Lady Maclean asked.
    “I do feel a bit tired, Grandmother Maclean.
May I go to my bedchamber and lie down for a while?”
    “Aye, lass, I think it a good idea. We can’t
have you catching a fever.”
    Branwenn rose and placed the garment she was
working on in the basket next to Lady Maclean’s stool.
    “I’ll send Daniel up to see you. He may have
some herbs that will help you to feel better,” Maryn said.
    “Nay, that will not be necessary,” Branwenn
said in a hurry. “I’m sure I shall feel much revived after a
nap.”
    Maryn nodded and turned her attention back to
the seam she was working on.
    After Branwenn departed, Jesslyn and the
other two ladies continued their sewing in silence for a time, each
in their own quiet contemplation. They’d been thus for a bit over a
quarter-hour when Maryn turned to Jesslyn and asked, “Have you felt
the babe move yet?”
    Jesslyn placed her hand over her slightly
rounded tummy and replied, “Nay, not yet. Surely, 'twill not be
many more days hence.”
    Lady Maclean nodded. “You said you believe
the babe will arrive at Bealltainn? By my calculations, the
babe should quicken in about three sennights’ time.”
    “I pray you are right,” Jesslyn replied.
    * * *
    That night, Jesslyn lay in her bed, her mind
churning. Ever since she’d learned that Daniel had invited Bao here
for Hogmanay , she’d been filled with apprehension. Mayhap
she shouldn’t wait until the new year to find a husband. At least
the man she chose would go into the union willingly. And he’d be
well aware of her childing state as well, and have agreed to wed
her anyway. Surely, that match would be, if not joyous, quite
comfortable. She could live with that.
    Jesslyn pressed her fingers over her eyelids
in an attempt to stave off the tears she felt pooling in them.
“Ow!” She’d forgotten about her newly pricked fingers. She was no seamstress. Sighing, she settled that same hand behind
her head and stared up into the darkness. But what if Bao actually wanted this babe? That question had been plaguing her since
she’d first discovered her condition and decided to keep the babe’s
paternity a secret. Could she truly refuse the chance to give this
bairn a life with its natural father? And what of Bao? If the roles
were reversed—impossible, but still—would he keep the knowledge of
the babe’s blood tie to her a secret? She shook her head. Nay, he
would not. For, tho’ everyone believed that she and Bao barely knew
each other, that was not the case. They had met in secret a couple
of times prior to their tryst. Had actually formed a bond, a
friendship, she believed. And she did know him. He was both loving
and responsible. Nay, he would never keep such a thing from her.
She sighed in resignation. And neither, it seemed, could she any
longer.
    *