Page 84 of A Highland Bride Taken
“Aye, Me Laird.”
They rode out of the castle as though the devil was hot on their heels. All the while, he kept praying, hoping the boys were safe.
32
“Ye should rest, Me Lady,” Talia advised, coming to sit beside her on the sofa. “It has been a long day.”
Mabel shook her head, staring listlessly into the fire in the grate. “I cannae, Talia,” she mumbled. “I cannae rest until I see me boys.”
Talia’s eyes went wide, then she lowered them.
Mabel would have wondered at her strange behavior, but concern for Ollie and Connor far outweighed anything she may have noticed.
Though she had promised her husband she would eat and try to sleep, the tray he had had sent up to her remained untouched. And though she had lain in bed to induce sleep, she was unable to close her eyes, not with the image of sweet Poppy on the ground burned into her memory like a hot brand.
Her worry over what harsh treatment the boys would receive kept her from giving in to the exhaustion that plagued her mind and body.
How could a day that should have gone well end so badly?
Even though she had awoken feeling numb as she had since the night of Laird McCormick’s visit, the day had promised to be good, since she had fewer tasks and more time to spend with the boys.
They had improved greatly in their reading, and she had opted to use one of the stories she had favored as a child instead of the books Talia had recommended. She had granted the girl a day of rest and had been enjoying having the boys to herself.
Campbell’s presence had been unexpected, and his suggestion even more so. But while she should have been happy, all she could think of was the last night he had been in her chambers and the realization that, despite his intentions, she had fallen for him.
The embarrassment of that fact haunted her and had her avoiding him all week, even during meals.
“The Laird willnae be happy to see ye like this,” Talia urged. “At least lie down. Ye look verra pale. ‘Tis already late into the night. Ye should keep yer strength for when the boys are found.”
Mabel knew the governess meant well, but irritation bubbled up inside her. Couldn’t they just understand her grief?
She was supposed to be keeping an eye on the boys, knowing that they were in danger, yet she indulged in frivolity, and now they were captured and possibly hurt.
Still, she hoped that her husband would at least return with positive news about the boys or with them, even.
“Me Lady, ye should?—”
“Dinnae presume to stop me grieving, Talia. Ye are…”
Mabel had been about to dismiss the governess when she heard the faint sound of horses’ hooves in the courtyard. She stood up quickly and donned a robe over her nightdress before rushing out to the courtyard, where she found her husband dismounting his horse.
He was startled to see her, but was quick to adjust. He had a guilty look on his face, but he didn’t scold her.
“Ye shouldnae be out here in the cold, wife,” he said, walking up to her as soon as he handed the reins to a stablehand. “I told ye to rest. ‘Tis already late. Where is Talia? I asked her to watch ye.”
“She tried, but I couldnae sleep. I’ve been waiting for news,” she answered. “Me mind and body are filled with worry for the boys. I keep wondering whether they are well. I cannae sleep.”
Campbell sighed and pulled her close, wrapping her in his warmth.
His eyes were shadowed, and he looked defeated, betraying the words he hadn’t yet told her.
“Ye didnae find anything?” she asked calmly, trying not to show the grief welling up inside her.
Hot tears pooled in her eyes and spilled over when he shook his head with a grimace.
“Oh, me boys,” she cried into his chest.
She knew her behavior was improper—she was the lady of the clan, after all—but she was past the point of caring.
