Page 21

M abel sat up quickly, looking around in panic once she saw how bright it had gotten through the gap in the furs on her window. She had slept in again and would no doubt be scolded by Missus Norah for neglecting her duties.

The morning meal would no doubt be well underway, and she could already imagine the scolding she would receive.

She dressed quickly and moved to her door, but was startled when it opened and her maid walked in, bearing a tray.

“Me Lady,” the maid greeted, surprised. “Ye’re awake.”

“Aye,” Mabel answered, eyeing the tray. That did not look like breakfast.

“I brought ye lunch because the Laird asked me to see to ye.”

Lunch already?

“Why did ye nae wake me up sooner?” she asked, worrying her lip. “How are the boys?”

“They are well,” the maid answered. “And the Laird asked us nae to disturb ye today.”

Mabel did not miss how the girl’s cheeks reddened and how her eyes lowered. Her cheeks flushed in turn, realizing what that actually meant.

The entire castle had no doubt heard them last night, and now that she remembered fully, she heated up further in embarrassment that the Laird had seen her so intimately.

Her mother certainly hadn’t told her about that during her lecture, but Mabel was grateful for it, or she would never be able to look her parents in the eye again.

She grew mortified when she recalled how she had just lain there and not participated in anything that had happened. What if she had displeased her husband because she didn’t know what to do?

Who could she even ask about such matters?

Her only married sister didn’t seem to be having better luck in her marriage.

“Thank ye, Isla,” she said. “Ye may leave the tray.”

The maid curtsied and did as she was told.

She had changed much from when she had been tasked with just ensuring that Mabel did not leave her rooms, and it was a welcome change, indeed.

Once alone, Mabel realized how hungry she was and settled into her seat, tucking into her food.

It was thoughtful of the Laird to have asked to let her rest after last night, because she had felt tired to her bones and had been unable to keep her eyes open long enough after he had left.

To think a man so large and intimidating could be so gentle and loving…

He had handled her so tenderly and kept whispering how beautiful she was over and over again. He was good for her vanity—that she couldn’t deny—but not so much for her sanity.

Nothing had prepared her for the sensations he would wreak on her, and she had hoped she would recover rational thought after her mind had shattered when he had tasted her so intimately.

Her body warmed at the memory, and she wondered what it would mean for them going forward.

Pushing her tray aside, she decided to go to the boys. They would no doubt be worried about her by now.

The maids curtsied to her when she passed, and she noticed how they did not meet her eyes and giggled, which painted her cheeks red with embarrassment. She had warned the Laird that this would happen, but he did not hear any word of protest.

“It pleases me to hear ye, wife. What matters more? Yer husband’s pleasure or the others?”

She bit her lip as liquid heat pooled between her legs and tried to bury the memory. She couldn’t be harboring such thoughts so early in the day.

When she did not find the boys in their chambers, she asked a nearby maid for their whereabouts.

“They are in the dining hall with the Laird,” the maid answered, before scurrying off.

Mabel’s eyebrows rose in surprise, and while she did not want to interrupt the moment, she wanted to see how well they were getting along.

She kept her steps light as she approached the high table, accepting the greetings that were sent her way by the clansmen and maids alike, but her eyes were fixed on the three she had been looking for.

They were sitting together, with the Laird in the middle and the two boys on each side, eating heartily.

It was such a touching scene that she had to pause as happy tears welled up in her eyes.

They looked so alike at that moment that when she recalled how he had bared his pain at not having time with his brother, she felt even more touched that he at least had a part of Aidan with him.

When he finally noticed her, he had an odd expression on his face, which faded to a small smile that encouraged her to join them.

“I had them send a tray to yer room. I didnae want them to disturb ye,” he said when she finally sat. “Are ye well?”

He had a guilty look on his face, which made her smile.

“Aye. I thank ye for yer thoughtfulness,” she answered. “I was verra exhausted.”

The tips of his ears reddened, and his eyes darted around to see if anyone was listening in, which she found funny because they already knew or suspected what had happened between them.

The fact that she had only just risen would no doubt have confirmed the rumors that indeed the Laird and Lady had an eventful night.

“I am glad to see the boys are eating well,” she added. “Ye have bonded well with them.”

“Aye, indeed.” He nodded, ruffling their hair. “And it’s all thanks to ye. If ye hadnae fallen into the lake, perhaps they might still be scared of me.”

She gasped at the joke and then shook her head with a laugh. “I am glad me misfortune helped ye.”

He smiled at her cheek, which had her eyes widening.

She had never seen him smile so broadly before; he was so beautiful that she couldn’t help but wish he did it more often.

Conversation came to a halt in the hall, and she turned to see that his clansfolk were just as surprised, staring at him.

She giggled, unable to hide her amusement, which caused him to frown again. She giggled harder at his attempt to correct what had been done, but it was too late. He had revealed his softer side, and now that she had seen it, she was looking forward to the next time.

“I have found a governess, but I want ye to decide if she is suitable for the boys,” he said. “Ye ken them better than anyone else, and if ye dislike her, we will find someone else.”

“I thought we didnae need a governess anymore? Isnae that why I’m here?” she asked, confused.

The reason he married was to let her care for the boys and ensure they were well educated. If she wasn’t playing that role anymore, wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of their marriage?

“Ye arenae a governess, ye are me wife,” he answered. “She will see to their care and education, but ye will supervise. I dinnae want ye tiring yerself as ye have. Think of it as me way of caring for ye.”

“I… I dinnae ken what to say, Me Laird,” she stammered.

His concern touched her more than she could express, and the fact that he deferred to her opinion on who would ultimately be caring for the boys spoke to his respect for her.

Her heart had never beat as erratically as it had to since she had come to Muir Castle, and at this point, she might need a healer soon if he kept acting the way he did.

He nodded.

“I was also thinking of hosting a cèilidh,” he continued, not looking at her.

But the slightly red tips of his ears told her he was embarrassed.

“It willnae be so large, but it will be good for Ollie and Connor. They didnae really enjoy the wedding festivities, and neither did ye. It willnae be so formal that ye will be uncomfortable.”

She would definitely have to see a healer at the day’s end, with the way he kept surprising her. Her heart was near to bursting with gratitude and emotions she couldn’t name. He was not only observant but also thoughtful and given to prompt action.

Even if their marriage hadn’t started off as normal, and it might be an ordinary match, she knew she had made the perfect choice in a husband.

“We shall begin preparations then,” she said with a smile. “I ken the clan will be happy about it. Yer ale stores might be depleted.”

He nodded. “‘Tis just as well.”

“I shall have to see if the boys have anything suitable to wear,” she noted.

She hadn’t yet perused their armoires, and as his heirs, they had to be suitably dressed for their station, and she as well. Her affairs hadn’t arrived yet from MacLennan Castle, so she would have to repurpose a garment she had already worn into a gown that wouldn’t embarrass him.

She was the lady of the clan, after all.

“Aye. If ye need anything, dinnae hesitate to come to me,” he told her. “I also ordered a dress for ye. I didnae want ye to worry about a dress while preparations were underway, so…” he trailed off when he looked at her.

She knew it was the surprised look on her face that stopped him.

“Thank ye, Me Laird.” She gave a small smile.

He nodded, clearing his throat, but did not look away.

She had thought he would avoid her for the entirety of their marriage, except to bond with the boys. But now, he was caring for her as well. While she did not know what that meant for her future, she was willing to find out.

“Are ye two about to kiss?” Ollie asked suddenly.

She looked away from the Laird, shaking her head. “Nay,” she answered.

“Ye boys have eaten enough, have ye?” the Laird asked suddenly. “Perhaps ye shall begin training with the men today.”

They squealed with delight, and the sight of them in the Laird’s arms, chattering excitedly, warmed her heart more than it should have.

Oh, Mabel. Ye’re in trouble.