Within moments Duncan, Aishlinn and the rest of their tablemates were surrounding Catherine and her wee daughter.
Aishlinn’s heart swelled with awe at the sight of the tiny baby, all wrapped in a fine plaid.
Thick dark hair surrounded the tiniest face she had ever seen.
Her long, thick black eyelashes were closed as she slept quite peacefully in her mother’s arms.
Her proud father beamed as he introduced his firstborn to his friends.
Whispering, he said, “Lads. Aishlinn.
This is me daughter, Aileen.”
Manghus touched the baby’s cheek ever so gently with the back of his finger.
He looked at her with so much love and adoration that it brought tears to Aishlinn’s eyes.
She wondered if her real father not died before she was born, would he have looked at her in the same manner?
The thought made her heart ache; she had to wrap her arms around herself to keep from crying.
She waited for the moment to pass before she told Manghus and Catherine what a beautiful daughter they had.
“Would ya like to hold her, Aishlinn?” Catherine asked, smiling up from her chair.
Aishlinn’s eyes grew wide but Catherine gave her no time to answer.
“I need to step away for a few moments. Would ya take her for me?”
Catherine stood and placed the precious bundle in her arms.
“I’ve never held one before, Catherine! I know not what to do!” Aishlinn protested as fear washed over her.
The others looked to her, stunned.
A very appalled Wee William boomed, “What do ya mean ye’ve never held a bairn before?” He was astounded.
Duncan’s face hardened into a look that forced the larger man to cower.
“Ye’ll be fine lass,” Catherine said as she walked away from the table.
“What if I drop her?”
Aishlinn asked, nearly shaking as she held the baby in her arms.
They all laughed at her.
Tall Thomas said, “No worries lass! We’ll catch her!”
Duncan pulled a chair up for Aishlinn to take.
Carefully, as if she were holding fine spun glass, she sat down, unable to take her eyes from the baby.
Daniel whispered, “See there lass! Ye ken what to do!”
The baby pulled at her heart. She was so wee and precious!
Aishlinn felt an even stronger tug when the little one let out a soft sigh.
Aishlinn knew that chances were she would never have a bairn of her own, but she felt that she could be content perhaps, by holding other women’s bairns.
The feelings rushing through her at that moment might be good enough.
Wee William crouched down to one knee as he looked at the bairn and then to Aishlinn.
Even on one knee he was still a formidable sight.
“Young Aishlinn, ya do look beautiful holdin' that bairn!”
“All women look beautiful when they have a bairn in their arms, Wee William!” Aishlinn said as she smiled at him.
“Aye, but none as beautiful as ye this night!” he whispered to her. “Now, do ya mind if I have a go at the wee one?” His smile was broad with anticipation for he was quite anxious to hold the baby.
Aishlinn looked to Manghus for his approval before handing his daughter over to the giant before her.
Manghus smiled, “Aye, ’tis all right lass.
Ya better do it soon before that big eejit explodes from anticipation!”
Wee William stood straight and smiled as Duncan helped Aishlinn to her feet.
With more grace and gentleness than Aishlinn could have imagined, Wee William bent and took the baby.
As he did, a great sense of longing washed over her, but seeing that tiny baby being held by a man as big as Wee William brought great joy to her heart as well.
William began to hum softly to the baby in his arms.
Aishlinn felt a sense of recognition to the tune but could not quite place it.
She looked about at these braw men with sheer amazement.
Each of them, warriors who would fight to the death to defend their families and homeland, were reduced to near quivering fools at the sight of a bairn.
There was more love in this one room, in this one moment than Aishlinn had ever experienced or witnessed in her entire life.
She knew then that she never wanted to leave this place or these people.
She was home.
******
‘Twas not long after that the evening meal ended and the tables were cleared and moved to make way for the musicians.
There was much excitement and anticipation in the air as people of all ages stood chattering away with one another.
Aishlinn spied Bree across the room as she stood with Tall Thomas. Bree smiled sweetly as she looked up into the young man’s eyes.
Aishlinn could see how the two felt for one another.
Aishlinn felt momentarily jealous of the two of them.
What she wouldn’t give to have someone look at her the way Tall Thomas looked at Bree. Pushing the thought aside she waited alone near the entrance of the gathering room.
It did not take long for the musicians to begin playing a quite lively tune.
Soon, the floor was filled with people dancing happily about.
Wee William had returned the baby safely to her mother’s arms and now stood before Aishlinn.
He bowed, winked devilishly at her and in one swift movement spun her onto the dance floor.
For a man as large as Wee William, he certainly possessed a great amount of grace! He swept Aishlinn away into the sea of other dancers and she was quite surprised at how well she was doing.
She paid close attention to the others in order to copy their steps.
A few faulting moments here and there, but it did not matter.
Everyone was having a grand time!
As soon as one song ended, another began and Aishlinn found she was dancing with one man or lad after another.
Such a wonderful time she was having as she laughed and twirled and scooped along with each of the partners she had.
Her cheeks were beginning to ache from smiling so much and not one of the men she danced with complained when she stepped upon his feet.
Black Richard came to her and asked her for the next dance and she graciously accepted.
She was out of breath and would have liked instead to take a rest, but she did not want to say no, for she was having so much fun.
The next song was a bit slower than the earlier ones and she was glad for the chance to catch her breath.
As she tried to concentrate on the steps, Black Richard smiled said, “Ya dance very well, lass.”
Aishlinn thanked him and tried not to step on his feet.
He did dance rather well and she was glad he did not make fun of her when she took a misstep and stepped on his boot.
“I’m sorry!” she said, “Tis my first time dancing.”
“I think a lass as lovely as ye will have many opportunities to dance again,” he said.
There was something in the way that he looked at her that made her blush.
“Thank you, Black Richard,” she said as she looked to concentrate on where to put her feet.
“That is very kind of you to say.”
The song soon ended and as she attempted to step away, he held on to her hand.
“I’d like another, if that is all right with ye, Aishlinn.” His smile held hope.
Before she could answer Duncan appeared beside them.
“The lass has promised me the next dance, haven’t ya Aishlinn?” he said as he stared down at Black Richard.
Aishlinn could see Duncan’s jaw clenching and knew he often did that when he was upset or angry about something.
She had no idea why he would be upset this night, for they were all having such a delightful time.
Wanting very much to dance with him, she looked at Black Richard.
“Thank you Richard!
But I did promise Duncan a dance.” Duncan swept her away, leaving Black Richard standing alone.
“Are ye having a good time this night?” Duncan asked her once they were on the dance floor and away from Black Richard.
“Oh yes! I am! Thank you.” She smiled at him, truly enjoying the way his hand felt upon her waist.
“Are you?” she asked.
“I am now,” he said, as he winked at her and twirled her about the room.
She felt herself go warm inside and had to remind herself to breathe.
Proud and honored she was to be dancing with Duncan, she hoped the dance would last a very long time; perhaps a year or two would be sufficient.
He looked so handsome this night in his white tunic that showed off his broad chest and muscular arms.
He wore his dark blue and green plaids that draped nicely over his tightly muscled legs.
‘Twas all she could do to keep her heart from pounding its way from her chest.
The thoughts she was having she was certain were not at all proper.
“Aishlinn,” Duncan said, his voice low and smooth.
“Ye do look beautiful this night.”
Another wave of crimson came to her cheeks.
That puzzling smile had returned to his face.
Oh how she wished he had more than brotherly feelings towards her!
“Ya blush easily, lass. Why is that?” Duncan asked, sounding quite serious. Aishlinn blushed again and thought that perhaps she should just permanently dye her skin red then no one would be the wiser.
She could not find the words to answer him so she remained quiet.
“Is it because ya dunna believe me?” he asked.
She was beginning to grow quite flustered for she truly did not want to blatantly accuse him of lying.
“Exaggerating perhaps?” she asked hoping her answer did not insult him.
His eyes twinkled when he smiled.
“Nay, I told ya long ago that Highlanders dunna lie.”
“Aye, you did.
But you also said you might stretch the truth on occasions when it was necessary,” she pointed out to him.
His brow creased.
“I did, dinna I?”
“You did, Laird McEwan.” She was trying not to smile at him for he had a scowl upon his face and she was not certain if he was perturbed with her or not.
“So you can see how I might come to that conclusion.
That you may not be actually lying, just merely stretching the truth.”
She took a deep breath, hoping he would not become angry with her for saying what she truly thought.
“I see.
Well, there are other things that a Highlander never does.”
Aishlinn swallowed hard and tried to sound far less flustered than she actually was.
“What is that?”
“We never lie about a woman’s true beauty.”
Aishlinn’s heart skipped a few beats as chill bumps began to cover her skin.
What she would not give for Duncan to think of her as more than a younger sister.
Disappointingly, the song ended far too soon.
Black Richard appeared by her side again, asking for yet another dance.
Aishlinn truly did not want to insult him, but she had been dancing for quite some time and if she could not dance again with Duncan, she would very much like a cup of ale.