Highland Intrigue - A Prequel

Bliss hurried to reassure them, seeing that Elysia had paled considerably. “Not me marrying, you two finding husbands.” Her hand shot up when they both looked to protest. “Let me finish before you argue with me. And let me say that you both know I would never force you into any marriage.”

Both women nodded, worry draining from their faces.

“Everyone worries that a woman will be chosen from the clan to wed Lord Rannick of the Clan MacClaren and I certainly do not want it to be either of you. One way to ensure that and to make certain you find husbands that will suit you is to search for a husband for yourselves.” Bliss stopped Annis from speaking once again. “I know you looked today, but a couple of hours today will not find you a husband. Besides, it is important to know what you each want and do not want in a husband before you even start your search.”

“Like Annis not wanting a husband who will dictate to her,” Elysia said.

“Or a husband that is loud and boisterous for Elysia,” Annis countered.

“So true,” Elysia agreed.

“And you were right for me as well,” Annis said.

“I am sure you both also thought of having bairns of your own.” Bliss laughed. “That is not possible without a husband.”

Annis wrinkled her nose. “I do not know if I would like what needs doing for a man’s seed to grow inside me, but I have thought about bairns of my own. I would love to teach my daughter things that most mums would not think to teach a lass. And I would raise my son not to dictate to his wife.”

“I would love to have bairns of my own, but I fear having them. I know what the women say about me. I am too petite to accept a man between my legs.” Elysia blushed. “And perhaps they’re right, but I worry more when I hear them say I would not survive childbirth.”

“You have delivered plenty of bairns safely,” Annis said with a look to Bliss to ease Elysia’s worry.

If there was one thing Bliss never did, it was lie to her sisters. They had the right to the truth and she spoke it now. “I have never found small women to have any more of a problem with their deliveries than larger ones. Small or large, one never knows what to expect when a bairn is ready to be born. And I will be there with you to make sure you do well.”

“So will I,” Annis said.

Elysia chuckled. “You fainted the one and only time you insisted on helping Bliss deliver a bairn. Or do you forget you faint at the sight of blood.”

“I only faint when there is a lot of blood,” Annis corrected. “I won’t with you. I will not let myself faint. I will stay with you all the way through the delivery.”

“That is thoughtful, Annis, but what about when you deliver a bairn of your own?” Elysia asked.

“That is different. I don’t have to see what’s happening down in the nether region. I only have to deal with the pain and that I will conquer,” Annis said confidently.

Bliss could not help but smile. Annis believed she could conquer anything if she put her mind to it and Bliss wondered if one day she might discover something that was unconquerable.

“Now that we have that settled, what do you think about finding husbands for yourselves?” Bliss asked.

“I think it is a wise idea,” Elysia said, a slight frown replacing her smile. “The clan women have warned me that I do not grow any younger and I should wed soon and that younger women than myself are already wed and have bairns.”

“Who? Who said that? I will go tell them to—”

Elysia quickly interrupted, “I thanked them for their advice.”

“You are far too sweet,” Annis warned, shaking her head. She stopped suddenly and her eyes popped wide. “What did they say about me since I am two years older than you.”

Elysia remained silent, her lips tightly locked.

“You better tell me,” Annis threatened.

Elysia easily surrendered, knowing her sister was owed the truth. “They say you will never wed, that no man wants you.”

Elysia drew back in her chair, thinking fire might spew from Annis’ eyes at any moment.

“I will show those gossiping hags. I will find a husband, and a good one at that,” Annis said with a firm nod that confirmed it.

“I am glad you both agree. I want to see you both happy,” Bliss said.

“But what of you, Bliss?” Elysia asked. “Do you not wish to wed and have bairns of your own?”

“Let’s not discuss that now. It is important you two wed and start your lives with your own families. As long as you stay close by, where we can see each other daily, then nothing else matters.”