Page 8 of A Highland Bride Taken

He nodded. But before he could accept the proffered morsel, Ollie’s hand shot out and grabbed it, startling her.

Unable to stop herself, Mabel threw her head back and laughed.

“Ollie, ye must lift yer head to eat,” she chided softly.

She placed the tray in front of them, watching as they ate, her heart warming at the sight.

These children were her responsibility, and for their sakes, she would have to be brave.

When they were done eating, she noticed how drowsy they were and cleared their tray, tucking them into the cot gently.

She turned and started at the look in the Laird’s eyes. But when he opened his mouth to speak, she lifted a finger to her lips to stop him. She didn’t want to wake the sleeping boys.

Heat flooded her, but she couldn’t explain if it was because she felt embarrassed or some other reason. She had been able to ignore his presence in the room when the boys were awake, but now that they were asleep, his stare seemed magnified.

She handed the tray to the maid outside the door and followed him wordlessly to his study.

“Ye have done well with the boys,” he complimented. “The job is yers. When can ye start?”

Squaring her shoulders, she braced herself for the outrage that was sure to come when she revealed the truth.

“I didnae come to be a governess, Me Laird,” she started.

He raised an eyebrow in question.

“I apologize for the deception, but I needed to check that they were doing well,” she added.

His body stiffened, and the air turned dangerously cold in the room as he glared at her.

“Who are ye?” he asked. “Ye should answer truthfully, or ye’ll find yerself in me dungeons.”

“I am Mabel Dunlop, daughter of Laird MacLennan,” she revealed, causing him to stiffen.

“Ye’re a laird’s daughter?” he asked, his jaw slackening.

Was it that hard to believe?

Yes, her dress was simple, but that didn’t mean she didn’t dress for her station.

“Why are ye here unattended?” he asked quickly.

She worried her lip between her teeth and lowered her eyes. She was sure he would be even more displeased when she told him the truth, but she hoped he would be fair and understand her reasoning.

As she told her tale of how she helped Layla escape with Aidan, she didn’t watch his face, not wanting to see his ire. If she did, she was sure the words would not dare escape her throat.

She didn’t leave out any detail, knowing that if she did, he would never trust her with the boys.

“I was present at their baptism, but I havenae seen them since. Layla kept me informed about their lives via letters, so I ken them almost as intimately as she did.”

Her throat was clogged with emotion, but she didn’t want to cry. Not yet. She had forced herself to move beyond her grief for the sake of seeing the children well situated.

“That is how I ken what they can eat and what they love. I sneaked out of MacLennan Castle to ensure that they were doing well, and I am glad I did. I want to care for them and?—”

“I thank ye for the truth, but I willnae have ye cause the boys any more pain,” he interrupted coldly.

“I dinnae intend to cause them any?—”

“What do ye think yer departure will do to them? Ye sneaked out once to see them, and yer family will nay doubt be looking for ye. Will ye be so lucky to sneak out and ride across the Highlands unharmed every time?” he sneered. “What about when ye decide to marry and start yer own family? They’ve suffered enough with the loss of their parents; they dinnae need to suffer loss again when ye marry and cannae stay with them.”