Page 79 of A Highland Bride Taken

“I will take me leave now, Me Laird. Me wife isnae the patient sort.”

“I am a most lucky man to have been given one so kind,” Campbell bragged.

His man-at-arms shot him a mock glare. “Just wait until she is accustomed to ye; she will show ye her true colors,” he warned. “There’s a harridan hidden in the heart of every woman.”

They shared a laugh and went to find their families.

Campbell’s steps were almost hurried with excitement about the surprise he had for his little family.

He found them in the boys’ chambers, having their lessons, and smiled at how much closer they appeared to have grown. They were sitting in Mabel’s lap and squinting at the papers scattered in front of them as they learned their letters.

He cleared his throat to get their attention and felt his heart soar when the boys ran over to hug him. His eyes flicked to his wife, who was sitting on the sofa, looking surprised, but there were dark shadows around her eyes.

“I apologize for interrupting yer lessons, wife, but I have a surprise for ye,” he began. “There is a fair in the village, and I wanted to take ye and the boys.”

“A fair?” the boys cried.

He nodded and turned to his wife, thinking she would be happy. Instead, she had a smile on her face as she nodded, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. He wondered if she had been taken ill.

“Are ye unwell, wife?” he asked, moving towards her.

Her eyes shot to his as she rose quickly to her feet, as though he had surprised her.

“I am well,” she answered hastily. “A fair sounds delightful. I will get the boys ready so they’re warm and?—”

“Talia can get them ready. Ye should dress warmly yerself,” he suggested.

He frowned when she refused to meet his eyes, not looking in the least bit excited as he had hoped she would.

“Alright,” she relented. “I will meet ye in the courtyard, then.”

She made to hurry past him, but he took her arm, which caused her eyes to flick to his hand and then his face.

“Is everything well, wife?” he probed. “Has somethin’ displeased ye?”

“Nay.” She shook her head. “Everything is well.”

“Are ye ill, Aunt Mabel?” Ollie asked, running up to hug her legs. “Dinnae be ill, or we willnae go to the fair.”

“I am nae unwell, Ollie,” Mabel assured the boy, who already had tears in his eyes.

“Are ye sure?” Connor pressed, looking more mature at that moment than his five years.

Mabel crouched down so she could look them in the eyes.

“I am sure, lads,” she answered with a smile, before placing a kiss on Ollie’s cheek. “I am excited as well. I will go and change into something warm. Ye should do the same.”

They nodded, and she laughed, rising to her feet. Now she sounded more like her usual self, which eased Campbell’s fears.

Perhaps he had been reading meaning into nothing.

“I will walk ye to yer chambers,” he offered.

She nodded and fell into step with him until they stopped outside her door.

“I will wait for ye in the courtyard.” He bid her goodbye, smiling when she lowered her eyes.

She was still nervous around him, a fact he found rather funny, as they had been married long enough for her to be used to him.