The next day he and Bridget were also headed to his country estate for Christmastide. They would return when Parliament resumed and the new Season began. While they were gone, the contractor would work on The Sanctuary so they would be able to open it after they returned.
He strode across the room and poured himself a brandy and a sherry for her. She’d announced a few days before that she was with child, and now her favorite Scotch whisky seemed to upset her stomach.
A child.
He still felt a tightening in his chest at the thought. After numerous talks with his sisters, he no longer believed he would become his father and turn into an ogre after a child was born. But he’d thought for so long that he would never have children that the idea was still frightening. He worried about not being a good enough father, but then he looked at Bridget and knew she would be a wonderful mother and would never allow him to be anything but the best parent.
The past few weeks had been the finest in his life. During the day they worked together on their plans, the excitement in his wife growing. She’d been disappointed to learn it would take some time to ready the house, but at least it was in the not-so-distant future.
“Cam, I think I made a bad decision asking Cook to make lamb chops. Not everyone likes lamb.” Bridget chewed her lip as she took the sherry glass from him.
“Lamb chops are fine, my love. And if someone does not like them, there are so many courses planned they will be unable to walk to their carriage after the meal, anyway.” He sat alongside her and tucked her close to his body. “How is our son today?”
“Our daughter is fine. It is still much too early to feel any movement, but she lets me know every morning that she’s there and not happy with whatever it was I ate the night before.”
“My lord, Lord Stevenson and Lord Appleby have arrived.” Dobson’s announcement in his usual staid manner was quickly followed by the men’s entrance. This was to be an all-male dinner, those with families having already sent them off to the country.
…
As the group gathered and began to talk and wave their hands in the air, paying her no attention, Bridget took the time to think about the missive she’d received the day before. Mr. Manning, Papa’s solicitor, had forwarded a letter to her in Papa’s handwriting. Mr. Manning explained that he had been holding it—per her papa’s instructions—until she notified him of her marriage, so he could release the funds.
Opening the letter with shaky hands, she’d been dumbfounded by the time she finished reading, before she’d folded it and placed it into the pink-and-blue ribbon box where she kept special papers.
The letter had said:
My Dear Daughter,
If you are reading this letter, it is because you are married. Happily so, I hope. I know you desired your freedom to do what you wished with the money left to you, but I had other hopes and dreams for my only child.
After all, daughter, after I am gone, you are alone in the world.
You might have wondered why I never changed your guardianship from the late Lord Campbell. After my old friend’s death, it got me thinking about my own demise and what would happen to you. I knew the current Lord Campbell to be a good man. Someone who would take care of you and possibly even love you.
He had a reputation, I know, but I had someone send me word of him over the years after his father died. Lord Campbell would make you a fine husband. He has enough strength to allow you to be yourself and not crush your fine spirit.
I hoped if I threw the two of you together you would both feel something special for each other.
Please don’t harbor any ill feelings toward my heir, Laird Evan MacNeil. He visited with me when you were away at school
and I found that although he is a gruff man, he has a tender heart. I know he will take good care of our lands and what is left of our clan.
Be happy, daughter, and surround yourself with children to love and who will love you. If my instincts were correct, you have a strong, loving husband in Lord Campbell to stand beside you for the rest of your life.
Your loving Papa
The shock of that letter had stayed with her ever since. At least that had explained why Papa had been so neglectful in changing the guardianship. She smiled at his treachery.
The dinner passed with all the shouting from the men bringing on a headache. It was a great deal of relief when they all gathered their things and left.
“Brrr, it’s cold.” Cam shut the door as the last of the vehicles rolled away.
Bridget came to an abrupt stop and placed her hand over her tummy. “I think our daughter just moved.”
“No, it’s too soon.” Cam said as he led her upstairs. “’Twas most likely indigestion.”
She turned to him. “How do you know? How many children have you carried?”
He bent and scooped her into his arms, taking the rest of the steps two at a time. “I don’t need to have carried a child—crazy idea—but it’s still too soon.”