Page 59 of Highlander's Wild Lass
Anthony reddened. “Only time will tell.”
“I’ll be prayin’ every single night until ye and Celestia are blessed with a child.”
“That’s very thoughtful of ye, Mrs. Duncan.”
“Well, I best be carryin’ on, they’ll be here any moment. Ye best get downstairs to greet them,” she said and disappeared down the hallways towards the servant staircase.
“Anthony!” It was Sebastian.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Sebastian!” Mrs. Duncan exclaimed from somewhere on the stairs. “Watch where ye’re goin!”
“Apologies, auntie,” Sebastian said and then finally appeared on the landing and spotted Anthony in the middle of the hallway. “They’re comin’ through the gates now.”
Anthony nodded and together they went into the courtyard to greet them. The courtyard was the tidiest he’d seen it in weeks. The mud had been scrubbed from the gigantic flagstones that covered the ground, and there were no loitering chickens nor empty carts parked along the castle walls.
The echoes of horses approaching bounced off every stone as the cart he sent with some men to bring the McLean’s belongings pulled in. They were followed by the twins on their two black horses and Auralia on her spotted white pony.
No one else followed them.
He walked further into the courtyard to peer down the entryway and Celestia wasn’t to be seen. Nor was the carriage he had sent for Mr. McLean so that he was as comfortable as he could be on the short journey to the castle. He turned to Sebastian who just shrugged and went to help Auralia from her saddle.
One of the men that were driving the cart came up to him, taking off his gloves as he did. “The carriage was delayed a bit, m’laird. One of the horses’ shoes needed to be replaced.”
“And Celestia?”
“She stayed with her faither. They’ll be along any moment.”
“Thank ye,” he said. “Will ye carry everythin’ from the cart and bring it into the foyer. I’ll have someone bring it to the rooms so ye can care for the horses.”
“Aye, sir.”
Anthony turned back to the McLean’s, feeling relieved. He had thought Celestia had decided to stay behind.
“Brother!”
He turned to see Chester bounding toward him. Hugo jumped from his saddle and followed him.
“Brother?” Anthony inquired.
“That’s what ye will be in a week’s time, will ye nae?” Chester asked.
“Aye, I will.” He couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped passed his lips.
“Well, then,brother,when will ye start trainin’ us how to fight so we can defend the borders of our land when scheming clans want war?” Hugo asked.
“Sebastian,” Anthony called, keeping his eyes on the twins. “How would ye like to beat up on some young lads tomorrow mornin’?”
“Oh, I would love nothin’ more,” Sebastian answered, then narrowed his eyes menacingly at the twins and returned to helping Auralia with her luggage.
“Well, brothers,” Anthony started, glancing once more down the empty entryway. “Grab yer things, Sebastian will show ye to yer rooms. And ye get separate rooms too if you truly desire to have yer own.”
“Our own rooms!?” Hugo exclaimed, exchanging a glance with Chester. They broke out in a run after Sebastian.
Anthony was left alone in the courtyard with his men bustling about unloading the cart and taking the horses to the stables. He didn’t know many times was too many to look down the entryway, waiting to hear another set of horses approaching.
“They’re here then?” Anthony turned to see Eleanor standing nearby with her hands on her hips.
“Most of them.”
