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“I didnae ken, back then.” Scarlett then turned to Mabel.

“What I dinnae understand is why ye would choose to marry him when ye have always made it kenned that ye would prefer a love marriage more than one of convenience. Ye have always wanted a loving family and children. It is unfortunate that we didnae attend the wedding, seeing as it was quite rushed. The swiftness is what scares me. Are ye sure ye’re happy, Mabel?

That is more important to me than whatever connections our parents wish to gain from yer union. ”

“Our parents didnae arrange the union, Scarlett. I decided to marry Laird Muir of me own free will because I wanted to care for me godsons, more than anything. They are mine now, and I will protect them with everything I am. Marriage to Laird Muir allows me to do that easily. I am most content,” Mabel explained with a genuine smile.

Thinking of how good her husband had been to the boys, she knew he was the best person to raise them with. Responsible and patient. He was everything they would need as they grew up.

“But—” Skylar began

“Dinnae worry yerself, Skylar. I dinnae think she is being mistreated in her husband’s home.

If anything, living with the Laird seems to have made her bolder and more well-spoken.

I love a man who inspires such confidence in his woman,” Scarlett said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

But it soon disappeared and was replaced with a sad one. “Not many women can boast of that.”

Her last statement gave Mabel pause and confirmed her suspicions about the state of her sister’s marriage.

“Enough about me.” She clapped her hands together. “How are ye, Scarlett? I hope marital life is treating ye well.”

“Nae as well as it is treating ye, I reckon,” Scarlett replied bitterly.

“Me husband cannae bear to come close to me. I wonder how he plans to produce an heir that way.” She took a tentative sip of her tea, grimacing as she swallowed.

“I think I need something stronger than tea. Whiskey, perhaps?” she asked with faux brightness.

“I didnae ken ye indulged in spirits, Scarlett, and I dinnae think yer husband will be happy to learn that ye indulged in liquor outside yer home,” Skylar reproached. “He would hardly forgive it.”

“Well, he isnae here to stop me. He is quite content traveling up and down the country, with nay thought for his wife, home and alone,” Scarlett said bitterly.

Somehow, Mabel did not think Scarlett wanted to drink, so much as she wanted to vent about the pain of living with a man who made it very obvious that he did not want her.

At least in her case, her husband desired her, even though he was doing everything in his power to avoid consummating their marriage. She did not want to think about how painful it would have been if he did not desire her at all.

Not that it mattered, considering the terms they had agreed on from the beginning. The dynamics of their marriage were changing gradually, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

“What about Maither and Faither?” Mabel asked, doing her best to steer the subject away from their marital woes.

“They are quite well, I assure ye. They are doing their best to find me a wealthy husband. This is all yer fault, ye ken,” Skylar scoffed, gesturing to her and Scarlett.

“Ye both married wealthy and powerful men, and Maither is hellbent on gaining bragging rights as the lady who had married off all her daughters to prominent, wealthy men. I just pray she doesnae get it into her head to marry me off to some old laird because he has a large herd of sheep.”

They all dissolved into laughter at her comment.

Even though their parents might be shameless social climbers, they were not that desperate… at least not yet.

The next few hours passed in a blur, and soon it was almost sunset when Mabel stood up to leave.

She had not realized how much she missed the dynamic between her and her sisters until then, and their separation did not make it easier. She would have to remember to write often to inquire about their well-being.

Scarlett, in particular, was worrying about this odd situation with her husband, but time settled all things. Perhaps when they found common ground, the gap between them might be bridged sooner than she imagined.

After exchanging hugs with her sisters, Mabel stepped out of the inn only to find the boys nowhere in sight.

Fear gripped her as she looked around. She had completely forgotten that she had to watch them, and she certainly hoped that no harm had befallen them in her negligence.

She called their names frantically, looking everywhere. She was about to raise the alarm when she spotted them close to a market stall. A woman about her age was holding their hands and leading them into the market.”

“Ollie! Connor!” Mabel screamed, running towards them as fast as her dress would let her.

Thankfully, the boys turned and saw her. They immediately extricated themselves from the woman’s hold and ran towards her, not stopping until they hugged her legs. She immediately pressed them to her before kneeling down to check them for injuries.

Apart from the dirt that covered them from head to toe, they were unharmed. Mabel was so relieved that she drew them back to her and held them tightly, breathing slowly until they started squirming to be released. When she gathered her wits to look around, the strange woman was nowhere in sight.

“Who was that woman?” she asked sternly. “Why did ye lads follow her? I told ye to stay close to the inn.”

“She promised to buy us some sweets, so we followed her,” Connor answered, lowering his head.

“What have I told ye about strangers, lads?” Mabel chided.

She knew her tone was scaring them, and there was no need to do so when she was supposed to be the one watching them. She should have done a better job caring for them, but they needed to learn a lesson while she considered how she would apologize to the Laird.

“Ye said we are never to go with someone we havenae been introduced to,” Ollie mumbled, his eyes downcast.

“We are sorry, Aunt Mabel. We were so hungry,” Connor said, a fat tear rolling down his cheek.

The sight of their sadness intensified the ache in her chest, so she gathered them to her bosom.

“Tell me whenever ye feel hungry. I was only upset because I never want to lose ye both. Do ye understand?”

She felt them nod against her shoulders.

“Alright, lads. Time to return home. I believe the cook has some apple pie waiting for us at home.”

At the promise of a tasty snack, they brightened up.

Mabel sent up a silent thanks to the skies that the boys were safe. She would have never been able to forgive herself if they had come to any harm under her watch.