She couldn't deny the tearful woman's plea, of course, but she made certain Willa understood how inexperienced she was. Willa's elderly aunt Louise had followed them outside, and she stepped forward with the promise that although she had never had children of her own and didn't have any training, she would be willing to help.
Iain was gone three full weeks. Judith missed him terribly. She didn't have time to be completely miserable, though. She delivered Willa's infant daughter while Iain was away, and Caroline's and Winifred's sons as well.
She was terrified each time. It never seemed to get any easier. Patrick had his hands full trying to soothe her fears. He was thoroughly confused by the bizarre ritual she seemed determined to put herself through. All three women began their laboring in the dead of night. Judith would be instantly frightened. She would stammer out all the reasons she couldn't possibly take on this duty, and continue ranting and raving all the way over to the birthing mother's cottage. Patrick would always accompany her, and she was usually trying to rip his plaid off his chest by the time they reached their destination.
The self-torture stopped the minute she walked through the entrance. From then on Judith was calm, efficient, and determined to make the birthing mother as comfortable as possible. She stayed composed until after the baby was born.
After the work was done, Judith would cry all the way home. It didn't matter who was walking with her, either. She wept all over Patrick's plaid, Brodick's as well, and with the third birthing, Father Laggan happened to be strolling by when she'd finished, and she cried all over him.
Patrick didn't know how to help Judith get over this torment she put herself through, and he was immensely relieved when Iain finally returned home.
The sun had already set when his brother, flanked by Ramsey and Erin, rode up the incline. Patrick whistled to his brother. Iain motioned for him to follow him, then continued. Patrick went back inside to tell his wife he was going up to the keep, but she was already sound asleep. He glanced behind the screen and saw that Judith was also dead to the world.
Brodick and Alex met Patrick in the courtyard. The three warriors went inside together.
Iain was standing in front of the hearth. He looked exhausted. 'Patrick?' he called out as soon as his brother walked inside.
'She's fine,' Patrick called back, answering the question he knew Iain was about to ask. He walked over to stand in front of his brother. 'She assisted with three more birthings while you were away,' he added. He smiled when he added, 'She hates being a midwife.'
Iain nodded. He asked Alex to find Winslow and Gowrie, then turned to talk privately with his brother.
Patrick was Iain's only family. For as long as either one could remember, they'd taken care of each other. Iain needed to hear now that he had his brother's backing for the changes he was going to make. Patrick didn't say a word until Iain had gone through the list of possible ramifications. And then he simply nodded. It was all that was needed.
'You have a family now, Patrick. Consider-'
His brother didn't let him finish the warning. 'We stand together, Iain.'
'They're here, Iain,' Brodick called out, interrupting the conversation.
Iain slapped his brother on his shoulder in a show of affection, then turned to face his loyal men. He hadn't called the council together to join in. That notice wasn't missed by anyone. He explained what had happened at the conference. The Dunbar laird was old, tired, and anxious to form an alliance, and if the Maitlands weren't interested, the Macleans would do just as well.
'The council won't cooperate,' Brodick predicted after his laird had given his report. 'Their past grievances make any kind of union impossible.'
'The Dunbars are in a tenuous position sitting between us,' Alex interjected. 'If they unite with the Macleans, their warriors will outnumber us by at least ten to one. I'm not liking those odds.'
Iain nodded. 'I will call the council together tomorrow,' he announced. 'For two separate purposes. First I'll talk to them about an alliance with the Dunbars.'
He didn't continue. 'What is the second purpose?' Brodick asked.
Iain found his first smile. 'Judith.'
Patrick and Brodick were the only ones who immediately understood what Iain was telling them.
'Father Laggan's thinking to leave early tomorrow morning,' Brodick said.
'Detain him.'
'For what purpose?' Alex asked.
'The wedding,' Iain answered.
Patrick laughed. Brodick joined in. Alex continued to look confused. 'What about Judith?' he asked. 'Will she agree?'
Iain didn't answer him.
Chapter 9
Patrick didn't tell Frances Catherine or Judith that Iain had returned home. He left early in the morning to go up to the keep. Judith helped her friend give the cottage a thorough cleaning.
It was a little past the nooning hour when Iain knocked on the door. Judith opened it. Her face was covered with smudges and her hair was in wild disarray. She looked as though she'd just finished cleaning the inside of the hearth.
He was so damned happy to see her, he frowned. She smiled back. She was flustered over her appearance. She tried to straighten her hair by brushing the curls away from her face.
'You're back,' she whispered.
The man wasn't much for greetings. 'Yes. Judith, come up to the keep in one hour's time.'
He turned and walked away. She was crushed by his cold attitude. She chased after him. 'Why must I go up to the keep?'
'Because I wish you to,' he answered.
'But I might have plans set for this afternoon.'
'Unset them.'
'You're as stubborn as a goat,' she muttered.
The gasp from the doorway indicated Frances Catherine had heard her remark. Judith still wasn't sorry she had said such a rude thing, because she believed it to be true. Iain was stubborn.
She turned away from him. 'I don't believe I missed you at all.'
He grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her back. 'Exactly how long was I gone?'
'Three weeks, two days,' she answered. 'Why?'
He grinned. 'But you didn't miss me, did you?'
She realized she'd trapped herself. 'You're too clever for me, Iain,' she drawled out.
''Tis the truth, I am,' he agreed with a grin.
Lord, she was going to miss this battling of wits with him, she realized. God's truth, she was going to miss him.
'If you want me to come up to your keep,' she said, 'you should put the request to Patrick first so your chain of command will be properly followed. Do let me know what he has to say.'
She was deliberately trying to provoke him. He laughed instead.
'Iain?' Frances Catherine called out. 'Is the council up at the keep?'
He nodded. Judith saw her friend's reaction to that news and pulled her hand away from Iain's.
'Now you've done it,' she announced in a low whisper.
'Done what?'
'You've upset Frances Catherine. Just look at her. She's worried, thanks to you.'
'What did I do?' he asked, thoroughly confused. Frances Catherine did look upset, and he couldn't imagine
