by Adams, Alisa
"Only if you are friends with Heather," she replied.
But there was no need for words. As he went towards her, Heather turned and threw herself into her father's arms.
"Will you forgive me?" he asked desperately, "I should not have said those hurtful things to you. You are my dearest daughter whom I love with all my heart."
"Of course, I do, Father." She laughed. "I never believed you anyway!" then she kissed him.
James was being monopolized by Kirsty, who was telling him the tales of all the castle ghosts which she claimed to have seen.
"I don't believe in ghosts!" James laughed.
"I'll show you," she said, grabbing his hand and dragging him up the stairs. They were in a long narrow corridor with doors to bedrooms leading from it.
"Where are we going?" James asked at last.
"Right here should do," she replied, stopping abruptly. Then she kissed him, putting her arms tightly around his waist. James, shocked, froze for a moment, then wrapped his own arms around her and returned the kiss hungrily. When they drew apart they were both breathless.
"There were never any ghosts, were there?" James laughed.
"None at all." She smiled mischievously, then she went on, "stay here tomorrow. Find an excuse."
"Are you always so bossy?" he asked.
"I'm afraid so," she answered, sighing.
He hugged her. "I can't," he replied, "I have too much to do at home, but I promise to visit soon."
"Then we can be betrothed," she said firmly.
"I think we are moving a little too quickly." James let her go gently, "Anyway, I'm supposed to ask you!"
"So, ask."
"No!" James laughed, not knowing whether to feel flattered or insulted.
"James," Kirsty said patiently, "do you like me?”
"You know I do," he replied, frowning, "but—"
"But we don't know each other well enough yet?"
"Exactly."
She studied him for a moment.
"If we had our fathers' permission to court each other…" she suggested, " we could visit often and we can talk, and maybe argue sometimes, and laugh. We could go riding, walk on the beach. What do you think?"
"I think it sounds like a fine idea," he replied fondly, "now we had better go down before your reputation is ruined."
"Just one more kiss," she demanded, and this time James did not object.
They went downstairs and went straight to Ewan. When he saw them he grasped the situation at once. "The answer is yes," he said, smiling joyously.
"Father, how did you know?" Kirsty laughed.
"Because it is written all over your faces!" he replied, "James, you may court my daughter. Your love will be shown by all the miles you will have to ride to get here."
"Thank you, sir," he said happily.
49
Happy Spring
The next spring was a time of utter joy for everyone. It seemed as if it were a holiday from the normal cares of the everyday world, and even the weather joined in the celebrations, blessing them with sunshine and warmth. In January, Kirsty and James became officially betrothed and were due to marry in summer.
Heather, despite her ever-increasing bulk, was radiantly beautiful. She had stayed in Invergar during her confinement to be near Katrine and Jessica but in the summer she and Bruce planned to move to Fraserburgh. Bruce was as protective as a mother hen with chicks, and every time the baby kicked he was by Heather's side asking after her welfare. Heather often complained to Katrine about this, but her mother urged her to be patient.
"Do not forget his history," she said gently, "he was hoping to be a father before, remember?"
Heather sighed. "You're right, Mother," she agreed, "but I don't have to like it."
In March Jessica announced that she was also with child and the two pregnant ladies – one extremely fat, the other still slim – were almost inseparable. Kirsty's visits were riotous and hilarious affairs. Bruce, James, and Dougie only hoped that motherhood and marriage would calm them all down a bit.
It was at midnight on a savage night in late summer that Heather's labor began. Bruce could not be prised away from her so a servant was sent to get the midwife. When she arrived and tried to bully Bruce out of the room she found herself confronted by a very big and very defiant husband who would not go anywhere.
So, Bruce stayed for the agonizing half hour of the actual birth and when their baby was born there were tears of happiness running down his cheeks as he looked at his daughter for the first time. She had dark red hair but her eyes were blue, as most newborn babies were.
"Maybe she will have brown eyes like you," Bruce said hopefully. He could not take his eyes off the baby, who was screaming indignantly.
"Is she a' right?" He asked anxiously, "are they both a' right?"
"Aye, lad," the midwife answered, "she's jist hungry."
She helped Heather to put the baby to her breast and a moment later the crying magically ceased. Heather looked up at Bruce.
"I love ye," he said huskily, "baith o' ye." He bent down to kiss the baby's head, feeling as if his whole life had been leading up to this moment.
"What will we call her?" He asked, thinking.
"Well," Heather replied, laughing at the greedy sucking noises her daughter was making. "There is one name I know that means 'strength.' I think we should call her Bridie."
She would never forget the smile on Bruce's face for as long as she lived.
Extended Epilogue
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