Saving Grace

She smiled. "No, I'm not," she agreed.

"We'll have to do our best to instruct you, then, on the importance of the name you select."

"A man's name is far more important than just a name," Calum a

Before she could ask what in heaven's name he meant by that statement, Keith turned her attention. "If another person has knowledge of the name before the christening, he could use it to work magic on the babe."

Calum nodded agreement.

Joha

Glynis stepped forward to join the conversation. She wanted to add a few important reminders of her own.

"If the babe cries during the christening, then it is sufficient proof the devil's been driven out, m'lady. Did you already know that truth?"

Joha

"Then I shall hope the baby cries," she said.

"You might also give the wee one a tiny pinch to ensure he does cry out," Glynis suggested.

"Some mothers probably do," Keith speculated.

"If your baby's born at midnight or at the twilight hour, he'll have the gift of second sight, of course. Heaven help the babe if he comes during the chime hours, for then he'll have the ability to see ghosts and spirits hidden from the rest of us."

"Papa, aren't you ready to leave yet?" Alex asked.

Gabriel nodded. He leaned down, ordered Joha

Leila walked across the courtyard, bowed her head to her laird when she passed him, and then hurried over to Joha

"It's joyful news," she said.

"Aye, it is," Glynis agreed. "I was just giving m'lady a few suggestions," she told Leila.

"And I shall try to remember every one of them," Joha

Keith shook his head. "I doubt you'll remember," he said. "You've forgotten what day this is," he added. "You're wearing the wrong plaid again."

"I'm begi

"Glynis, Megan told me you had a good hand at cutting hair," Joha

"'Tis the truth I do have a talent for the task."

"Clare MacKay could use your assistance," Joha

"I know they did," Glynis said. "They meant to make a mess so anyone seeing her would know her shame."

Joha

"Say no more, m'lady. I'll be happy to fetch my scissors and try to make the lass look a little more presentable."

"Thank you," Joha

"Since Lady Joha

"I can take care of myself, gentlemen," Joha

The two men ignored her protest. "Aye, she is my responsibility," Calum said.

Joha

Keith bowed to his mistress and left to see his duties completed. Calum was about to go back inside, but Joha

"Calum, may I have a minute of your time? I would like to introduce you to Leila."

He gave her a look that suggested she'd lost her senses. "I've known Leila for some time, m'lady."

He didn't spare the Maclaurin woman a glance when he said her name. Joha

"You know I have," Leila whispered. "Then tell me please, both of you, why you act as though you've never met before? I'm very curious and probably interfering, but I assure you I have the best of intentions. I thought, from the looks you try not to give each other, well, that you might actually care about each other a great deal."

"He's a MacBain."

"She's a Maclaurin."

"Please excuse me, m'lady," Calum said, his voice clipped and hard. "I have duties that need my attention. I don't have time for such foolish talk."

He didn't even nod in Leila's direction when he left. She kept her gaze turned away. Joha

She gave an abrupt nod. "I have tried not to have these feelings, m'lady," she whispered. "I ca

"I believe Calum has feelings for you, Leila."

"Nay," she argued. "He would never allow himself to become attracted to a Maclaurin."

"I didn't realize the separation between the clans ran this deep," Joha

"How could you not know? The way the men carry on whenever you wear the wrong plaid should be proof enough of the importance they attach to the issue. We're all trying to get along with each other yet stay separate at the same time."

"But why must everyone stay separate?"

Leila confessed she didn't know. "We're all most appreciative of our laird's patience with us," she said. "I heard what you said at the supper table about the land belonging to the MacBains now. Everyone was talking about it, m'lady. What you said made sense to some of us. The Maclaurin soldiers didn't like hearing the truth, however."

"Do you know what I think? We have one too many plaids."

"Aye, we do," Leila agreed. "But neither clan is going to give up its colors, no matter how much you plead."

"I'm not going to plead with anyone," Joha

"I would hope he would," she answered. "But he isn't a Maclaurin, and he doesn't have any feelings for me anyway."

Joha

"Oh, yes, m'lady, I would. I could see…" She stopped before she gave herself away.

Joha

Leila blushed. "Our laird doesn't want me to…"

"But of course he does," Joha

"I would be honored to sit at your table," Leila whispered. Her voice shook with emotion.

"I must go inside now and take my turn sitting with Clare. I'll see you tonight, Leila."

Joha

"Did you climb the stairs without assistance, m'lady?" Megan demanded to know.

"Of course," Joha

"You could fall," Megan countered. "You shouldn't be taking such chances."

"Megan, I have enough people fretting over me. 'Tis the truth I'll go daft if I'm followed around day and night. I held onto the railing," she added when Megan looked ready to protest.

"Are you ill, Lady Joha

"She's carrying, like you," Megan blurted out. She nodded, then closed the door behind her.