Hellion

Five

They had slept for a few hours after returning to Leoch. Dougal had much to do with organizing the hunt and other activities for the Gathering, which would be starting in just a couple of days. Alexandria had sent a message to her seamstress so that Alister would bring the dress and help her out with a few chores.

It was shortly after the afternoon meal when the young man arrived. Alexandria had planned on using the actual surgery but changed her mind. They would use Hamish's office instead. After receiving the gown, she had Alister follow her.

"Gallen, the Laird is expecting me." She spoke to the doorman.

"Aye, Mistress. Dougal is already in wit' him waitin' on ye."

This wasn't what was supposed to be happening, but she didn't waver. "Come Alister, I'll introduce ye to tha Laird and explain how ye may be of assistance to him." She said while walking in the door. "Greetings m'Laird." She dipped her head in acknowledgement. "I have brought wit' me the gentleman we spoke of. Alister McTaillis, this is yer Laird Hamish MacKenzie."

They went through the normal greetings with everyone, including Dougal.

"Mr. McTaillis? If ye wouldn't mind waiting in the other room? There are refreshments laid out. I jest need to finish up wit' me Uncle." Hamish looked indifferent. "Auntie, please sit."

Alexandria sat next to Dougal, kissing him on the cheek. "I dinnae realized I was needed earlier."

"Ye weren't. I jest think when people see me, they expect ye to not be far behind." Dougal grinned. "I was explaining to Hamish yer delicate situation."

"Delicate?!" She shot him a look.

"Fergive me, yer auntie is wit' bairn again Hamish. So there are many duties she cannae preform."

"It is understood." Now it was Hamish trying not to laugh. "Ye are wit' bairn already Auntie Lexie. Ye God! When did ye come home? Two an' ah half months now?"

Alex laughed hard. "Ya ken how Dougal is, always did have an eye for tha lassies. Weel maybe it wasn't his eye so much." She grinned when Hamish started to laugh. It was no secret that Dougal had been quite the womanizer.

"Alexandria!" Dougal's eyes flew wide open which only made her laugh harder.

"Och. It is true and everyone kens it. But I am jest teasing you, my beloved Dougal." She kissed the corner of his mouth.

"Yer a lucky woman Hellion. Any other woman spoke ta me like that, it would be her downfall."

Scoffing, she smiled. "Yer jest worried tha' I'll beat ye bloody."

"There is tha' too." He smirked.

"Uncle? Do you love Auntie Lexie so much that you stopped dallying with others?" It was an honest question.

"Aye. There is none tha I wish ta have besides her. I was a fool when we first met. I wasn't faithful like I should 'ave been." Picking up her hand, he kissed the back of it. Dougal's gazed into her eyes as he did so. "Hamish, when ye fall in love I hope ye dinnae make my mistakes."

Hamish blushed red. He was unused to seeing such intimacy in others. It was something that normally happened only behind closed doors. He was used to sex, that was common. The intimacy of love was not.

Clearing her throat, she changed the subject back to the Gathering. "So what are these duties tha' I am unable ta perform?"

"Ye will nay be going on the boar hunt Alexandria."

"What?! Why?"

"Claire can take care of tha' again. Yer a mam already and ye will be one again soon."

"Claire is a mam already too." She shot back.