Page 51 of A Highland Bride Taken
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 burstingwith 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.
21
“Connor, ye got the answer, but I would prefer if ye show clearly how ye arrived at yer answer,” Talia was saying when Mabel stepped into the room.
