Page 33 of A Highland Bride Taken

They shook their heads.

“Willnae the scary lady stop us again?”

“She cannae stop me, now that I’m married to the Laird,” she said with a cheeky smile.

They giggled mischievously and got to their feet, hurriedly putting on their shoes. She smiled and ruffled their hair, taking their hands.

She cast furtive glances around the corridors to ensure they weren’t caught, and as soon as they spotted the gardens, she pulled them into a small run, which caused them to giggle.

They had not lost their love for play, after all.

She smiled and led them into the shade of a fragrant orange tree.

“What game shall we play?” She tapped a finger on her chin, pretending to think. “Shall we play blindman’s buff?”

They nodded, and she produced a kerchief.

“Who wants to be first?”

They raised their hands excitedly, and she smiled.

“Ollie,” she picked, and he rushed forward.

They played a couple of rounds, and she began to grow exhausted from all the running, but the boys were the most excited she had seen them, and their laughter brought warmth to her heart.

“‘Tis yer turn, Aunt Mabel.”

“Mine? Nay, this game is for ye.”

“Are ye scared?” Ollie teased. “Dinnae be. I willnae let ye fall.”

She lifted a hand to her chest and laughed, nodding. “I will trust ye, then.”

Once the blindfold was on, she reached for the first small arm that she could reach. But when she heard their distant giggles, she smiled.

“Ye have gone too far, lads,” she teased. “Come a little closer.”

“Nay!” they cried, sounding so close.

She giggled again and reached out, only to feel something firm and warm against her hand.

She wondered if she had perhaps grabbed a tree trunk. She tried to feel her way, but a warm hand on hers stopped her exploration.

Had she been touching someone?

A hand yanked at her blindfold, but before her vision could clear, she opened her mouth, ready to spew an apology as well as a plea not to inform the Laird of the incident. However, when she saw it was none other than the Laird himself, she heaved a sigh of relief.

“Me Laird,” she breathed, her eyes darting around in search of the boys.

She spotted them a little way back, but gone was the mirth in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. It was enough to make the Laird frown.

She pitied him at that moment.

“‘Tis a good day to be outside,” she said, trying to fill the awkward silence.

“Aye. ‘Tis why I have come,” he answered. “‘Tis me turn to be the blindman.”

Mabel felt her heart stop and then pound furiously at his words, her mind painting a rather funny picture of the Laird running around blindfolded.