Page 6

T ossing and turning in the soft bed, Mabel was frustrated that she was unable to sleep despite her comfortable accommodations. She was surprised that the Laird had been quick to accommodate her, even though he hadn’t been friendly.

She worried her lip again, frustrated at how her cowardice hadn’t allowed her access to the children.

Even if it would be a difficult task to sneak out of home, the fact that there were children she had to care for would have been enough of a motivation.

Not that she did not understand his decision, but desire won where understanding should have been.

He had accused her of acting rashly, after all.

Never had she been so scolded by anyone, not even her parents, yet she had taken it without a word of protest because of the overwhelming presence that was Laird Muir.

Now that she had seen him, she couldn’t address him with the moniker others did, even behind his back. It was thoughtless and unfounded.

She turned onto her side, holding her pillow tighter as she recalled her encounter with who was likely the most interesting man she had ever met.

Handsome beyond what words could describe, with a confident masculine air about him that accentuated her delicate feminine nature. She had been ready to do anything he commanded, but it was by sheer determination that she had been able to voice her protests, even if they hadn’t availed much.

She felt guilty for thinking so hard about him, when she should have been more worried about her parents’ reaction to her misbehavior.

She had half a mind to steal away, but she knew without a doubt that he would chase her down before she got very far.

He was that stubborn, and it wasn’t hard to imagine his ire.

She sighed again.

So lost was she in thought that it wasn’t until she felt a hand patting her shoulder that she realized she wasn’t alone.

She bolted upright, startled, drawing the bedcovers around her more tightly.

“Pardon me for frightening ye, Me Lady, but the Laird requests yer presence in the twins’ room,” the slight maid said, curtsying. “I knocked several times, but ye didnae answer.”

Mabel flushed, embarrassed that she had been lost in irresponsible thoughts. Thankfully, she hadn’t been thinking out loud, or she would never be able to live past the embarrassment.

“Might I ask why?” she asked, rising quickly and donning her dress.

“He didnae say why, Me Lady,” the maid answered.

Mabel didn’t ask further questions and followed behind the maid with quick steps, wondering why the Laird suddenly had a change of heart. Perhaps she had been able to make him see reason, after all.

When she stepped into the room, she was not prepared to catch the small bundle that ran towards her. She stumbled at the impact but didn’t fall, thankfully.

She recognized the child as Ollie, since Connor was soundly asleep on the bed beside the startled Laird. She gave him a questioning look while wrapping an arm around Ollie, who still hadn’t let go of her skirts.

“Are ye well, Ollie?” she asked, picking up the boy.

He shook his head, burying his face in her shoulder as he let out a yawn. He was visibly exhausted, but whatever had happened had been enough to keep him from succumbing to sleep.

“I wanted to see ye, Mabel,” he mumbled.

Her heart clenched tightly at his words, and she held him tighter.

“I am here now,” she whispered. “Sleep.”

She cast another questioning look at the Laird, who shook his head. She nodded, though she wanted to inquire more. But her focus was on the boy in her arms. She could quell her curiosity for his sake.

She stole a glance at the Laird, who had Connor’s hand in his and smiled, knowing he had at least earned the trust of one of the boys.

She looked down at the yawning boy in her arms and swayed slightly, hoping to lull him to sleep. Ollie squirmed, visibly fighting sleep. She remembered a lullaby her mother used to sing to her and her siblings, especially when Skylar threw fits, and decided to see if it would work on him.

She felt conscious singing in front of the Laird, and was aware of his eyes on her, but she put him out of her mind and kept on singing till she felt the sleeping boy in her arms grow heavy. He had one finger in his mouth, which made her heart swell with adoration.

It would hurt her to leave them, but she couldn’t afford to be selfish. Even now, she worried she had overstepped. But it was the Laird who had summoned her, so he would have to handle explaining her absence to the children when she was gone.

“Let me help ye,” she suddenly heard him say behind her, and started.

She turned to him and held her breath as he took Ollie into his arms. She felt sparks dance along her skin where his fingers brushed her arms, only breathing when he finally moved the boy to the bed and tucked him under the covers.

The sight of him doing something so fatherly sparked a warmth inside her that made her long for a family of her own. She also finally accepted that the boys were indeed in good hands.

He stepped away with one final pat on the boys’ heads and placed a finger to his lips, nodding towards the door. She wasn’t going to say anything until they were alone anyway, but she followed him quietly, as she found herself doing around him.

When they stopped in front of the door to his study, she remembered his words from earlier in the day and felt uneasy about being alone with him again. She was now conscious of the fact that he was a man who could cause a girl to think and behave improperly. She bit her lip, eyeing the door.

He turned, seeming to notice her unease.

“Ye have nothing to fear from me, lass,” he assured her. “I only want to talk.”

She looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity in them, but she couldn’t ignore the voice warning her to stay away. He was a dangerous man for a woman to be alone with. With his rugged handsomeness, he could make a woman forget her values.

She followed him, nonetheless, but kept her distance. She still remembered how her body had warmed when he had touched her earlier. She would likely be one of those women if he decided to focus his attentions on her.

When he offered a seat, she took it, wondering at the change in his demeanor. He had been content to keep her standing earlier in the day, but was suddenly chivalrous at night.

She wondered if he had multiple personalities.

“I must apologize for waking ye up,” he started. “I am sure ye have questions.”

She nodded. “Ye said I should stay away from the bairns, but ye called me to their chambers. I dinnae ken what to think,” she said. “What had Ollie so upset?”

Mabel noticed him tense and clench his hands into fists. But as quickly as he had done so, he relaxed his posture.

“There was an intruder in their room this evening,” he admitted reticently, regret flashing in his eyes. “I dinnae ken if he wished to take them or harm them.”

“I dinnae understand!” she cried, rising to her feet. Then, remembering her manners, she sat back down. “How…?”

“I dinnae ken, but I will find out who is behind it,” he said firmly.

“Did ye capture the intruder?” she asked.

“Nay. The boys were frightened and wanted me to stay. I couldnae leave them.”

It must have been a hard decision for him to make, but she admitted that he had made the right decision. Her respect for him soared.

“I would like to help in any way I can,” she offered. “They will still be frightened by tonight. I can stay and?—”

“There is naught for ye to do here.”

“I will stay, Me Laird,” she declared stubbornly, unwilling to be dismissed this time. “I told ye I will do anything for the bairns.”

“Even marry me?”