Page 55 of A Highland Bride Taken

“Aye, Me Lady.”

Mabel knew the woman would carry out her instructions to the tee, but she wanted to reiterate. She had yet to forget the incident with the assailant in the boys’ room and the strange woman who had tried to take them at the market. She would not let them be hurt on her account.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing their attention.

“Me Lady, the Laird calls for ye,” a maid announced.

“Where is he?” Mabel inquired.

“The Great Hall, Me Lady.”

She nodded and turned to the boys, placing a hand on each of their heads. “I shall see ye later,” she told them. “Be good, little lads.”

They nodded, even though they sported matching mischievous grins.

Her heart pounded as she neared the doors to the Great Hall. She eyed her husband, who was standing tall and proud as he gave final orders to his men. He had not noticed her yet, so she took the time to appreciate the handsome figure he cut in his formal clothes.

His hair, much like his nephews’, had been cut and styled neatly, making his startling blue eyes shine even brighter. He had a frown on his face, which darkened when his men suddenly stopped responding to him.

She lowered her eyes when they turned to stare at her, visibly entranced.

“Why are ye silent?” he demanded, before following their gaze to see what had caught their attention.

She risked a glance at him and noted sadly that his frown darkened as she approached.

She had hoped he would be pleased, but did he think her dress too revealing?

“Is everything well, husband?” she asked, nodding her greeting.

“Good evening, Me Lady,” his men greeted with bows.

“Good evening,” she responded with a smile they immediately returned.

The Laird growled deeply in his throat, which caused his men to scamper off.

“The guests have started to arrive,” he said, not answering her question. “We should go and greet them.”

Her heart sank with disappointment, and she felt it reflected on her face, but she buried the emotion and nodded.

“Aye,” she muttered, following behind him.

She took his hand and stepped into the Great Hall, nodding in satisfaction at the setting she had taken time to plan. There were a large number of guests, most of whom she did not recognize, as she had left the invitations to her husband. Anxiety threatened to crawl up and suffocate her, but she buried the emotion, knowing she needed not to embarrass him.

“Good evening, Laird Muir,” the first couple greeted with a bow.

“Good evening, Laird and Lady Douglas,” Campbell returned.

“We were honored to receive yer invitation,” Laird Douglas said hastily. “‘Tis been some time since we have been on Muir lands. ‘Tis beautiful this time of year.”

Campbell nodded, placing a hand on the small of her back. Heat traveled up her body at his touch, and she had to bite back a gasp so as not to embarrass herself. She forced a small smile.

“I believe ye havenae been introduced to me wife,” he added.

“Lady Muir,” the couple greeted with a smile. “‘Tis an honor.”

Mabel smiled and nodded, not knowing what to do with their effusive praise. They were much older than her and Campbell, but their expressions were awed, as though honored to be acknowledged by her husband. She knew he was a powerful man, but to command such fear and respect from older lairds of powerful clans…?

She stood straighter, as befitted her station.