Page 11 of The Best of Madeline Grant

She glanced at the bairns in their arms. “Alex, we have to name our sons. What do you think? We need two names.”

“I don’t know, love. What do you think? You choose, I cannot.”

“What about James after my father, and John after your father?”

“I think that is a splendid idea,” he said.

Maddie kissed her husband again, but their firstborn started to fuss. “I think your son is hungry, Alex.” She untied her gown and settled her son at her breast. He latched on quickly and was quite happy suckling at his mother’s breast.

Alex studied their second son and said, “You will have to learn to share, wee one.”

He moved behind his wife again, and after much maneuvering, held his second son to Maddie’s other breast.

Maddie giggled, leaned against her husband, and sighed. Life didn’t get any better than this.

Journey to the Highlands

Robbie and Caralyn

Chapter Twenty-Four

Maddie welcomes Caralyn and brings her to the bathing chamber.

Caralyn picked Gracie up in her arms and followed Ashlyn to the end of the great hall. Lady Madeline led them up the staircase to the second floor and down the passageway almost to the end. She opened a door to the left and stood back. “I think this chamber will suit you. The bed is large enough for the three of you to sleep together if you’d like. The lassies were sleeping together in one room before you arrived.”

Ashlyn grabbed her mother’s hand. “Mama, we’ll stay with you tonight. ‘Tis a big castle.”

Caralyn stepped into the beautiful chamber, marveling over the simple yet comfortable space. A large bed plump with warm plaids and thick furs sat on one wall while the hearth graced the outside wall. A chest sat at the end of the bed and a table and two chairs were arranged near the hearth. Dried flowers decorated the feminine room and fresh rushes had been added to the floor. One window sat on the side, thick fur coverings providing protection from the cold.

“Fiona will visit you often to see what you need. I will have someone start a fire in the hearth to take the chill out of the room while I show you to our bathing room.”

“A bathing room?” Caralyn had never seen one before and wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Mama, you will love it.” Ashlyn grinned. Gracie tugged on Caralyn’s arm to be let down, and once she was on the floor, she raced ahead of them to the room at the end of the hall.

Maddie rolled her eyes sheepishly when she opened the door. “My husband spoils me and had this room built for me. They have a large bathing room for the men outside near the stables, but I was always uncomfortable in it and he didn’t want me walking outside with my hair wet. I admit I enjoy bathing more often than everyone else.” Maddie rubbed her belly as she walked inside.

“How soon for your bairn, my lady?” Caralyn couldn’t help but stare at Maddie’s blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. No wonder the laird had married her—she was stunning.

“Och, not more than a fortnight, I think.” She led the way around the grand chamber with three separate hearths. Four tubs of different sizes graced the room and stacks of linen squares sat piled neatly on the shelves. She moved to the outside wall. “These rope pulls will bring small buckets of water. ‘Tis a lovely design in the summer because the small pool outside is warmed by the sun. Now, however, the water is quite cool, which is why we have three hearths. My husband has the men bring water up at night to heat for bathing.

“Over here, on this shelf, we have bathing oils, which are Celestina’s creations. Her lavender oil is exquisite. Please use whatever you like.” She turned and pointed to a door in the corner of the room. “Over there, my husband has again spoiled me by having a garderobe built as well with a door on it for privacy. If you’d like, you may bathe now to clean yourself of the dirt and grime of traveling. Then I’m sure you would like to rest from your journey.”

A room dedicated to bathing was a decadence Caralyn would never have imagined, but at this moment she couldn’t think of anything she’d like better than a bath. Nodding, she said, “I’d like that. A bath would be lovely and Gracie can bathe with me, but…”

“Aye, ‘twas a long trip and you didn’t bring much to wear. Ashlyn, be a dear and send Fiona up, would you? And please take Gracie along to assist you.”

The girls ran to do as they were bid. Caralyn gazed at the regal woman in front of her, unsure of how to talk to her. She stared at the floor, deciding the best approach would be to wait for her companion to speak.

Lady Madeline gathered towels and oils for her and found a screen to settle around one of the tubs. “So have you been in the Highlands before??”

“Nay, ‘tis my first journey to the Highlands. ‘Tis magnificent. I had no idea of the beauty in the hills and valleys here.” Caralyn helped Lady Madeline move the screen.

“Mayhap that is good. We hope you’ll decide to stay. Your daughters are lovely. Gwyneth told us you are from South Ayrshire. ‘Tis true?”

“Aye, and ‘tis beautiful on the coastline, but ‘tis more lovely here. Seems more peaceful.” Oh, how she hoped Gwyneth hadn’t said anything else about Caralyn and her life. She trusted Gwyneth.

“Och, wait until you see our snow.” Maddie chuckled, then strode over and clasped Caralyn’s hands in hers. “I want you to know that you will always be welcome here at Clan Grant. When I first came here, I had the foolish idea that I didn’t belong and I didn’t deserve to be in such a place. Can you imagine?”