Page 43 of A Highland Bride Taken
The thought gave her pause.
She was starting to sound like her husband, and the fact was amusing.
Connor and Ollie seemed fascinated with the hustle and bustle of the area, and as their eyes took in the scene curiously, she held on tight to their hands so she did not lose them in the crowd.
The Laird had warned that the town wasn’t entirely safe, and she did not want them to fall into the wrong hands. He might not forgive her if anything happened to them. She wouldn’t even forgive herself.
When she stepped into the inn, the owner, a burly old man, showed her to her sisters’ room. She knocked.
“Mabel,” Scarlett greeted excitedly when she answered the door. “I wasnae sure ye would come. I was just telling Skylar that we might need to barge into Muir Castle if ye didnae come today.”
“Thank goodness that we didnae have to, or I wouldnae have been able to live past the embarrassment,” Skylar said dryly, coming to draw Mabel into a hug. “Thank goodness ye are unharmed.”
“Why would I be otherwise?” Mabel asked with a laugh.
Skylar must have spotted the boys then because she released Mabel to kneel in front of them.
“Who do we have here?” she cooed. “Quite adorable lads, ye are. Do ye mind telling me yer names?”
The boys were doing their best to hide behind Mabel’s skirts. They had still not shed their mistrust of strangers, and she could see how it affected her sister, who loved children.
“Dinnae worry verra much, Skylar,” Mabel said with a laugh. “They are usually shy. Trust me, they will warm up to ye when ye spend time with them.”
Skylar nodded in understanding. “Please, come in. The tea here is nice, and they have yummy biscuits.”
Just then, a group of children ran across the hallway, laughing and giggling happily. The sound caught the boys’ attention, and they were now staring longingly at the children.
“Aunt Mabel,” Ollie called quietly. “May we play with them?” he asked, earnest hope blooming in his eyes.
With that look in his eyes, Mabel could refuse him nothing, even if she was worried they might get hurt or lost.
“Aye, ye may,” she allowed, after giving it some thought. “But stay close to the inn. Dinnae stray verra far,” she warned.
The boys nodded earnestly, and soon, they were running after the other children, more agile than they had been a while ago.
She was thankful that at least they would be able to play with people who could match their energy. The activities of the previous days were starting to catch up with her, and she was thankful that soon she would be able to share the burden with someone else.
“Well, well,” Scarlett said with a laugh, “lads will always be lads. I guess they dinnae care to play with us bonny lasses.”
Skylar burst into giggles while Mabel sat at the table in the room. She poured herself a cup of tea and sipped it, acutely aware of her sisters’ scrutiny.
“Now that I can see ye closely, ye dinnae look very well. Ye have dark circles under yer eyes. Dinnae tell me that yer beast of a husband is treating ye badly,” Skylar said with a concerned look.
The sound of that dreadful moniker caused Mabel’s head to snap up, and anger bubbled up in her chest. With restraint she did not know she possessed, she put her cup down on the table.
“I dinnae appreciate ye calling me husband a beast, Skylar. He isnae one. He has treated me with nothing less than the utmost respect since we married. I might look tired, but believe me, it has nothing to do with him. I just havenae had a good night’s rest in quite some time. While the boys can be quite charming, they arenae easy to put to sleep at night.”
“Dinnae be angry, dear sister.” Skylar raised her hands placatingly. “We were just worried that we hadnae heard from ye since ye married a stranger about whom we have heard nothingbut terrible rumors. Remember what Maither said at Scarlet’s wedding? ‘Tis nae like he was verra sociable before he married ye. We worried that ye were miserable, trapped in a marriage that ye didnae want.”
“I wouldnae say that Laird Muir is a stranger. He is, after all, me husband’s friend, and he has a reputation for being a good and upright man among those who ken him well. Word has it that he was given that dreadful moniker by his enemies, who wanted to feel better about themselves after trying and failing to conquer his lands,” Scarlett interjected.
“Ye never told me that before now, Scarlett.” Skylar pouted. “And ye didnae correct Maither either.”
“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.
