Page 138 of Highlanders for the Holidays
“Ye be welcome. Would ye like me to go to her now?”
He gave a nod of affirmation. “I would, thank ye.”
They parted ways: Bridgett off to help Onnleigh and he to see if Braigh was done with his wife yet.
* * *
While the menbrought in the furniture, Onnleigh did her best to stay out of their way. Finding a spot in the corner of Connor’s room, she held Nola close. She had three days of being away from her daughter to make up for. As the men were busy setting up the bed, Bridgett entered the room. With a bright smile, she went to Onnleigh and introduced herself.
“I be BridgettingenComnell,” she said with a cheerful tone. “Connor tells me ye will be takin’ care of his babe.”
Unaccustomed to people being polite to her, Onnleigh simply smiled and gave her a curt nod. She had no recollection of having met the young woman before. Certain thathadthey met in the past, Bridgett wouldn’t be behaving so politely.
“I was takin’ care of the wee babe until this morn,” Bridgett told her. “But I had to get back to me sewin’. She is a bonny babe, aye?”
“Aye,” Onnleigh answered, her voice nothing more than an unsteady whisper.
“Ye be OnnleighingenGrueber, aye?” Bridgett asked, taking her attention away from the babe for only a brief moment.
“Aye.”
“I have nae seen ye in years. Why have ye stayed away so long?”
Her tone was not accusatory or harsh. ’Twas nothing more than a question born out of curiosity. Apparently Bridgett had little memory of how Onnleigh had been treated the last time she was at the keep. “I was busy takin’ care o’ me da.”
Bridgett studied her closely for a time. “I be glad yer here, Onnleigh. I hope we can become good friends.”
Tears welled and there was nothing to be done for it. In the whole of her life, she could not ever remember having a friend. “I would like that verra much.”
“’Twill be time for the noonin’ meal soon,” Bridgett said. “Would ye like to sit with me?”
Not quite ready yet to be reintroduced to the clan that had ostracized her years ago, she politely declined. “I think I would like to put me room in order.” ’Twas the only excuse she could think of.
“Then I shall bring a meal to you,” Bridgett said with a smile. “I will help ye put yer room in order as well.”
Doubt plagued Onnleigh. Had Connor sent Bridgett to watch over her? To make certain she didn’t steal anything? There would be no way of getting her to leave if that was the case. “That would be verra nice,” she said.
Soon the men declared the bed assembled and left the two women alone.
“Connor has ye stayin’ next to him?” Bridgett asked as she headed toward the small room.
Onnleigh followed her. “Aye. He says he needs me close to N—” she stopped short of speaking the babe’s name. No doubt, Connor had already given her a new one. “The babe.”
Bridgett stood in the middle of the tiny room and gave it a quick inspection. “We’ll need rugs, fresh linens, more linens and nappies for the babe.”
Rugs? Fresh linens? ’Twould be a most welcome change compared to what she’d been living with, however she felt wholly unworthy of anyone going out of their way. “No need to fuss over me,” she said. “A warm blanket or two and I’ll be verra happy. Give the babe the things she needs.”
Pretending not to hear her protests, Bridgett went on to say, “Mayhap a tapestry or two on the walls? The room be far too dark. A babe needs lots of bright colors and sunshine, aye?”
Truly, as long as they were providing the things Nola needed, Onnleigh cared for naught else. But how could she explain what she truly felt without giving away that she was the babe’s mum?
Bridgett left to get them lunch, with the promise that she would return soon. Onnleigh breathed a sigh of relief at finally being alone. She stood in the middle of the room and looked at her surroundings. ’Twas a very nice room, so much nicer than where she had been raised. ’Twas then she realized her heart feltlight.So much lighter and at ease than she could ever remember feeling.
Ye best nae get yerself too comfortable,a little voice warned.As soon as they remember who ye be, they will nae be so nice.
* * *
Bridgett had returned quickly, and with more food than Onnleigh could remember enjoying in an age. “All this food, just fer us?” she asked, in awe at the roast venison, vegetables, bread, cheese, apples and berries, and tankards of cider.
