Page 23

“ O h, Me Lady, ye look beautiful!” Heather, Mabel’s maid, cried, stepping back to admire her. “The Laird is going to be awed by ye.”

Mabel stared at her reflection in the mirror, nodding in agreement.

The dress her husband had ordered for her arrived earlier in the day, and it fit her perfectly. Although it showed off her cleavage and figure more than any other dress she owned, she did not mind.

It was a perfection of green silk, simply cut but trimmed with lace at the neck, sleeves, and edges. Heather had decided to try something new with her hair and twisted it in an elegant bun at the nape of her neck.

Mabel wondered just how her husband would react to seeing her in the dress. She had not been as fancifully attired since their wedding, as she had only ever favored simple styles. But looking at her reflection again as she rose, she decided she had been doing herself a disservice.

Perhaps she might tailor all her dresses to resemble this one.

Thinking of her husband now made her sigh.

They had both been busy with the preparations for the cèilidh over the past week. So, other than a few passing glances, they had barely been in each other’s presence.

She tried to deny that she missed him, but she actually found herself wishing for his comforting presence more often than she thought she would. At least this evening, she would get to spend time with him before the guests started arriving.

“Shall we go?” she asked excitedly. “I would like to see the boys before I head to the Great Hall.”

“Aye, Me Lady,” Heather said, curtsying.

The boys were dressed smartly and were happily chattering with their governess, who seemed to be much interested in what they were discussing.

“Talia,” Mabel called, announcing her presence.

“Me Lady,” Talia answered, rising from her seat to curtsy.

“Ye have done well with the boys,” Mabel praised.

Somehow, the governess had managed to tame their unruly curls into a more presentable style that Mabel was sure would be ruined before the evening’s end, and their linen shirts and kilts fit them well.

They looked so much like the Laird wearing his clan colors of dark green and yellow that she smiled. Yes, he would be pleased with their appearance, indeed.

“Should we go to the hall now, Me Lady?’ Talia asked.

“Aye. The children can play, but make sure they arenae out of yer sight.”

“Aye, Me Lady.”

Mabel knew the woman would carry out her instructions to the tee, but she wanted to reiterate. She had yet to forget the incident with the assailant in the boys’ room and the strange woman who had tried to take them at the market. She would not let them be hurt on her account.

A knock sounded at the door, drawing their attention.

“Me Lady, the Laird calls for ye,” a maid announced.

“Where is he?” Mabel inquired.

“The Great Hall, Me Lady.”

She nodded and turned to the boys, placing a hand on each of their heads. “I shall see ye later,” she told them. “Be good, little lads.”

They nodded, even though they sported matching mischievous grins.

Her heart pounded as she neared the doors to the Great Hall. She eyed her husband, who was standing tall and proud as he gave final orders to his men. He had not noticed her yet, so she took the time to appreciate the handsome figure he cut in his formal clothes.

His hair, much like his nephews’, had been cut and styled neatly, making his startling blue eyes shine even brighter. He had a frown on his face, which darkened when his men suddenly stopped responding to him.

She lowered her eyes when they turned to stare at her, visibly entranced.

“Why are ye silent?” he demanded, before following their gaze to see what had caught their attention.

She risked a glance at him and noted sadly that his frown darkened as she approached.

She had hoped he would be pleased, but did he think her dress too revealing?

“Is everything well, husband?” she asked, nodding her greeting.

“Good evening, Me Lady,” his men greeted with bows.

“Good evening,” she responded with a smile they immediately returned.

The Laird growled deeply in his throat, which caused his men to scamper off.

“The guests have started to arrive,” he said, not answering her question. “We should go and greet them.”

Her heart sank with disappointment, and she felt it reflected on her face, but she buried the emotion and nodded.

“Aye,” she muttered, following behind him.

She took his hand and stepped into the Great Hall, nodding in satisfaction at the setting she had taken time to plan.

There were a large number of guests, most of whom she did not recognize, as she had left the invitations to her husband.

Anxiety threatened to crawl up and suffocate her, but she buried the emotion, knowing she needed not to embarrass him.

“Good evening, Laird Muir,” the first couple greeted with a bow.

“Good evening, Laird and Lady Douglas,” Campbell returned.

“We were honored to receive yer invitation,” Laird Douglas said hastily. “‘Tis been some time since we have been on Muir lands. ‘Tis beautiful this time of year.”

Campbell nodded, placing a hand on the small of her back. Heat traveled up her body at his touch, and she had to bite back a gasp so as not to embarrass herself. She forced a small smile.

“I believe ye havenae been introduced to me wife,” he added.

“Lady Muir,” the couple greeted with a smile. “‘Tis an honor.”

Mabel smiled and nodded, not knowing what to do with their effusive praise.

They were much older than her and Campbell, but their expressions were awed, as though honored to be acknowledged by her husband.

She knew he was a powerful man, but to command such fear and respect from older lairds of powerful clans… ?

She stood straighter, as befitted her station.

“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.”

“She is already of marriageable age. Nay man wants an old bride.”

“Aye, Maither,” Mabel groaned with an eye roll.

Once their mother left, Skylar launched herself at her sisters with a cry.

“I thank ye for sparing me another lecture,” she whined. “Maither hasnae left me be since ye got married. Why did ye have to marry so early, Mabel?”

“‘Tis nae what I planned,” Mabel answered, her eyes straying to her husband, who was standing beside Laird Crawford, deep in conversation.

He truly was a very handsome man. His eyes met hers, and she reddened, lowering her head. When she lifted it to turn to her sisters, she saw Skylar watching her with a knowing grin.

No doubt the girl had arrived at the wrong conclusion.

“I wonder, darling sister,” Skylar started. “Have ye fallen in love with yer husband?”

“Fallen in love?” Mabel spluttered. “Surely ye must be joking.”

Desire? Aye.

Like? Maybe.

Love?

That was not what she felt for him.

“I am nae,” Skylar insisted. “‘Tis nae so hard to believe. He is verra handsome, and he seems to make ye happy. Ye’re only human, and nay one will fault ye for falling in love with him.”

“That doesnae mean I love him,” Mabel argued, shaking her head. “I respect him because he is good to me and the bairns, but ‘tis all I feel.”

Her eyes strayed to him again, and this time he was already looking at her. She lowered her eyes again and only turned when Skylar laughed.

“‘Tis so obvious that I wonder how ye dinnae ken it yet,” she teased. “Dinnae worry, ‘tis possible yer husband feels the same.”

“Stop teasing her, Skylar,” Scarlett scolded. “Dinnae make us drag ye to some eligible bachelors.”

“Ye wouldnae dare.”

“Oh, Laird Stuart,” Scarlett called out to the young laird who had only just assumed the title.

Laird Stuart turned to them, visibly pleased to have been acknowledged.

“Ye are a harridan, Scarlett.”

“Yet ye love me,” Scarlett intoned. Then, she turned to face the man. “I believe we havenae seen each other since the wedding.”

“Aye, Lady Crawford,” Laird Stuart said with a bow, taking her hand to place a kiss on it. “Ye look especially lovely this eve.”

“I thank ye for the compliment,” Scarlett answered with a nod. “I would like to introduce ye to me sister, Skylar.”

Mabel lightly pushed her sister forward, smiling as the conversation kicked off, with Scarlett playing chaperone.

Skylar would be terribly upset with them later, but Laird Stuart was handsome and charming, so their mother would be pacified if she decided to look in their direction.

More guests trooped over to greet her, all wanting to meet the new Lady Muir. However, while she smiled and conversed, she couldn’t ignore the feeling of being watched.