A Hellish Highlander (Clan Ross Book 3)

by Hildie McQueen

  They made their way inside. He continued chastising her and changing every plan he’d just made. There was no force on earth that would separate him from his wife. He had sworn to protect her and would do so until his dying breath.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  “There is no reason why ye cannot go,” Gisela repeated to her stubborn husband as she’d done for days. “I will be fine. Kieran, please go. Ye will enjoy the boar hunt with yer brothers and cousins.”

  It was late morning and, soon, she would go downstairs and hopefully find something to do away from Kieran. He constantly checked on her.

  He looked out the window. He’d been standing there since the others had left earlier that morning. It was obvious he was tired of remaining nearby. And if Gisela was to be honest, she needed him to leave her be even if for a few hours.

  “Please go.”

  He turned and scowled at her. “Why are ye so anxious to get rid of me?”

  “Because I need to miss ye,” she snapped. “Honestly, Kieran, yer overprotectiveness is overwhelming me. If I had known ye would hover like a vulture over a dead beast, I would have waited until ye left to go north and sent ye a letter announcing I was with child.”

  Despite his hurt expression, she burst into laughter at her statement.

  “I do not find the humor,” Kieran said, but he was making his way to the door. “I will return as soon as possible.”

  Gisela waved gaily at him and followed him down the corridor. “I think I shall go to Merida’s house and sew. We are making baby dresses.”

  Her husband was already hurrying out the front door and she held back a chuckle.

  *

  Winter came with the ferocity of a dragon. But instead of hot flames, frigid air blew across the Highlands bringing with it ice and snow that, although lovely, made traveling impossible.

  Merida gave birth on a particularly snowy day with Elspeth as her midwife and both Ceilidh and Gisela assisting. The child, a beautiful boy, was born in the middle of the night and was promptly named Faolan Gregor Ross. Being that Gregor was like a second father to Tristan, they had already planned for the boy to be named after him.

  Tristan, the giant father of the newborn, had been reduced to tears of joy, not caring that there were witnesses when doing so.

  Gisela wondered if her babe was to be a boy as well. She hoped so. Kieran would be overjoyed like his brothers. Of course, if it were to be a girl, the child would be pampered and be a welcome addition to the circle of women she now adored.

  Once again, Kieran did not appear with the group that awaited to hear of the birth. He had waited two days before asking Gisela to go with him to meet the boy.

  Although he’d made efforts to be nicer, albeit small ones, toward Merida in the last months, she was still a bit intimidated by him.

  Together, Gisela and Kieran walked into the chamber she shared with Tristan and Gisela approached her friend.

  “Kieran wishes to see the baby.”

  “Aye, of course,” Merida replied, eyeing Kieran. “Please meet yer nephew.”

  Kieran held the child for a long time, while Gisela and Merida drank warmed cider and chatted about what they’d do that day. It was a custom now that each of the women took turns keeping company with the one who was abed or kept to her quarters because of illness or childbirth.

  Ceilidh had yet to conceive, but Gisela was sure an announcement would be made soon. The two were enamored with each other and constantly sneaking away. It was sweet to see the different ways in which each couple showed love for one another.

  “I am going to the village with Uncle Gregor and Ewan today. There are rumblings of unrest. It seems the villagers have been poached upon.” Kieran lowered the infant to his bed, kissed Gisela’s cheek and walked out to of the room.

  “That was not too unpleasant,” Merida said with a grimace. “Does yer husband ever smile?”

  “Not normally. He is quite stern. But he is gentle and sweet, and when he does smile, it is so very special.”

  Merida changed the subject. “So is Ewan to remain here permanently?”

  “Aye. From what Kieran says, he has decided to stay for the time being. I believe he inherited land not too far from here, but must wait until after winter to see if it’s where he wishes to settle.”

  “He’s quite the rogue,” Merida announced. “He is all the maids speak about. The man has conquered and vanquished many a heart already. It makes me wonder how he could possibly live alone on land away from family.”

  “It could be mostly talk,” Gisela said slowly. “He was quite taken with Fiona. A shame really, as the poor girl may be married off to a Sutherland brute.”

  Just then, Ceilidh entered. She held a basket with freshly baked bread. “I bring bread and some sweet, freshly churned butter,” she announced with a smile.

  As they continued talking, Ceilidh informed them that an Urquhart messenger had just arrived.

  Apparently halfway to their home, one of the elders had become ill and they’d come seeking a healer.

  Both Merida and Gisela exchanged looks.

  “Who returned with them?” Gisela asked. “Fiona or Esme?”

  Ceilidh thought for a moment. “I am pretty sure I saw Fiona. However, everyone was hurried inside and taken to chambers to await hot baths and warm up.”

  When Gisela and Merida grinned, Ceilidh narrowed her eyes. “What are ye planning? I wish to be part of it. Winter lags much too long.”

  “Ewan.” Gisela said without further explanation.

  “He seemed to be taken with Fiona. Perhaps we should arrange for some time alone,” Merida said.

  They had no way of knowing how long the party would remain. Although it was Highland tradition for at least three days, they were probably hoping to arrive home before the weather truly made it impossible.

  *

  Kieran entered their bedchamber that night and went directly to Gisela who lay in bed writing in a journal. Her husband’s shadow spilled over her and she looked up and smiled.

  “My love, ye have returned.” Reaching for his hand, she placed it over her barely rounded stomach. “Our child kicked quite a bit today. He or she is already strong.”

  With an expression of relief, he lowered and placed his lips to her stomach. “Ye will be a brave warrior.”

  Gisela giggled. “What if the babe is a beautiful lassie?”

  “I vow to train her with a bow and arrow,” Kieran replied then pressed a kiss to her stomach. He straightened and began undressing. “Why are ye still awake?”

  “I was waiting for ye to return,” she replied. “I wished to speak to ye about something.”

  Instantly, a deep scowl formed. “What is it?”

  “Nothing too serious. Is Ewan betrothed?”

  “Whatever ye are planning, leave me out of it. Ewan’s hair will be white before he considers settling.”

  She pouted. “That is what yer brothers said as well. But he did seem taken with the lovely Fiona…”

  “No,” he said and kissed her lips. “Now, sweet wife, ye must go to sleep.”

  “I cannot possibly sleep now,” she replied. “We have yet to discuss names for our babe.”

  Kieran pulled off his boots and britches, then rinsed off at the basin. He climbed into bed and pulled her against him, his body a bit chilled. Warmth seeped between them and she snuggled closer.

  “Katriona?”

  “Nay.”

  “Gavin?”

  “Nay.”

  He nuzzled her neck and slid his hand down her back, pulling her closer.

  “Lachlan?”

  “I do not care for it,” he replied, his tongue trailing from her neck to her shoulder.

  “Clara is a beautiful name,” she breathlessly.

  “Nay.” He pulled her skin between his teeth, nipping at just the right place and she gasped.

  “Oh.”

  “I do not think our child should be named Oh,” Kieran teased, his hand moving b
etween her legs.

  Gisela went taut, anticipation coursing throughout her body.

  Before long, she became lost in Kieran’s caresses, his kisses sending the surroundings to spin. He was everything. It occurred to her that, in that moment, all she wished to think of was him.

  “Oh, Kieran!” she exclaimed when he came over her.

  “Kieran is a good name,” he replied, rolling over her, taking care not to crush her stomach.

  “Say it again,” he demanded as he took her fully.

  “Mmmm.”

  Epilogue

  Clara Isabel Ross was born in the early spring. It was a long labor and Gisela had wanted to give up many times.

  By the time her daughter’s loud wails sounded, she could barely keep her eyes open. Needing to see the child and ensure she was healthy, Gisela fought against exhaustion until the pink-faced, swaddled babe was placed in her arms.

  Kieran had not waited outside while she’d labored. Unlike his brothers, he’d burst into the room several times demanding to know why she was in so much pain. Only when Gisela ordered him to, did he leave.

  At the sound of the babe’s cries, he’d entered once again. This time, he remained by her side as she finished her labor.

  Concern etched on his face, it was only when she held their daughter that he seemed to ease a bit.

  The following morning, Gisela woke to the most perfect of sights.

  By the window, Kieran was in a chair. He looked out to the sky with a soft smile on his lips. In his arms, he held their daughter and spoke to her in soft tones.

  Seeming to sense she’d awakened, he looked to her.

  “I was introducing Clara to Da.”

  Gisela’s heart squeezed. “Ye must always tell her about him so that she will get to know her grandfather through her father.”

  He nodded and she marveled at how much he’d changed.

  Kieran was no longer the hellish Highlander she’d met while selling soap in the center of her village.

  The man before her was now a caring, devoted husband and no doubt a doting father as well.

  Love did indeed conquer all.

  The End.

  About the Author

  Most days USA Today Bestseller Hildie McQueen can be found in her overly tight leggings and green hoodie, holding a cup of British black tea while stalking her hunky lawn guy. Author of Medieval Highlander and American Historical romance, she writes something every reader can enjoy.

  Hildie’s favorite past-times are reader conventions, traveling, shopping and reading.

  She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and three little doggies.

  Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com

  Facebook: HildieMcQueen

  Twitter: @HildieMcQueen

  Instagram: hildiemcqueenwriter