Page 56 of A Highland Bride Taken

“We hope yer journey here was without incident?” she asked.

“Aye, Me Lady,” Laird Douglas answered. “We are sorry to have missed yer wedding.”

“‘Twas an intimate affair for family, mainly,” she assured.

“We wish ye both a fruitful marriage,” Lady Douglas piped up.

They nodded and left the couple, making their rounds.

“Sister!”

The loud cry drew Mabel’s attention, but before she could turn around, a mass of frills and lace crashed into her. It would have sent her to the ground if her husband had not had his hand on her back.

“Skylar, ye truly must learn to behave properly,” Lady MacLennan scolded.

Mabel’s eyes widened in surprise as she saw her entire family walk up to them. She had not known the Laird would invite them to the cèilidh. She turned to him, but he had moved away from her side to the refreshments table, along with Laird Crawford, Scarlett’s husband.

“I ken ye are surprised we are here,” Scarlett said with a small smile.

“Aye,” Mabel admitted.

She had not realized how much she missed her family, but seeing her sisters and parents brought her joy. She turned to eye her husband, her heart swelling with gratitude. He knew how uncomfortable she was in large gatherings and had surely invited her family to give her some comfort.

“I see that married life agrees with ye, daughter,” her father observed with a smile.

She moved into his open arms and nodded against his chest.

“Aye,” she answered when she pulled away. “Laird Muir is a most gracious husband.”

“Ye are most lucky, then,” Lady MacLennan commented. “Only ye were able to tame him.”

Mabel shook her head at her mother’s antics and went to hug her, too.

“He hardly needed taming, Maither,” she insisted. “He is… thoughtful and kind, and he is good to the bairns.”

“And to ye,” Skylar pointed out with a naughty grin. “Yer dress is wonderful. Ye look absolutely beautiful and happy. Ye’re positively glowing with joy.”

“‘Tis why ye should hurry and find a husband, Skylar,” Lady MacLennan scolded. “Yer sisters have all married well. Ye should do the same and be happy.”

“I will marry, Maither, when I find a handsome enough man.”

“Skylar!” Lady MacLennan screeched.

“I want to have beautiful bairns, and even if it isnae a love match, I should at least be able to look at him,” Skylar argued. “Scarlett and Mabel married the most handsome men; there’s nothing left for me.”

“Ye and I will have a long conversation about yer manners, girl.”

Mabel and Scarlett exchanged a look as their mother launched into a tirade about rebellious daughters and ruined marriage prospects. They smiled as the message passed between them easily, as it had always done, and moved to their sister’s side.

“Maither, there are a few eligible bachelors, who are also friends of my husband, I would like to introduce Skylar to,” Mabel announced, taking her arm. “Would ye mind terribly if I chaperone her?”

“But I am perfectly capable of chaperoning me daughter,” Lady MacLennan countered, her lips pursed.

“Aye, but ye should dance with Faither and socialize,” Scarlett suggested with a smile. “Ye might nae see these people for some time again.”

Lady MacLennan looked as though she were considering it and then sighed. “Ye must make sure that she converses with eligible bachelors only,” she pressed. “Dinnae let her run wild.”

“Aye, Maither.”