FATHER GELROY HELPED HER DEAL WITH HER LOSS BY making her feel guilty.
“Of course you miss your guards. They’ve been like older brothers to you all these years, but you’ve got to think about them finding their own path. St. Biel is their home, and you should have joy in your heart that they can now return to their lives there.”
Gabrielle knew the holy man was right, but it was still difficult for her to find joy when she missed them so much. Fortunately, she was kept busy and had little time to mope.
The clan made it easy for her to settle into their way of life. Gabrielle had won them over when they heard that she had killed a man to keep Liam safe. She earned their love and respect when she married their laird and gave him Finney’s Flat. Standing up to Lady Joan and putting her in her place showed them that she had a temper, which they considered a fine trait.
Everyone took turns instructing her. Maurna and Willa helped her learn how to be mistress in her home. It was up to Gabrielle to decide the menu for each meal, when the rushes needed to be changed and the bedding aired out, and a thousand other things that made the castle run smoothly.
Neither the housekeeper nor the cook ever said “no” to her or came right out and told her she was wrong about anything. They had a more subtle way to let her know when they felt she’d made a mistake.
“We shall have meat pies for dinner tonight,” Gabrielle told Willa.
The cook shook her head ever so slightly. Gabrielle tried again. “We will have chicken?”
Another quick shake of the head followed that order. Gabrielle sighed. “Mutton then.”
A nod of approval. “Yes, Lady MacHugh. Mutton it will be.”
The stonecutter and the candlemaker instructed her in the goings on with the various clans. They felt it was imperative that their mistress understand all the feuds.
Gabrielle wasn’t even sure where all the clans lived.
“Why is it important for me to know about the feuds?” she asked.
The candlemaker looked astonished that she would ask such a question. He answered with one of his own. “If you don’t know who’s fighting, how will you know who to speak to and who to curse?”
She didn’t have a ready answer for him.
That evening as she prepared for bed, she asked Colm about the clans. “There are so many of them in the Highlands, I cannot keep them straight.”
“Tomorrow I will draw you a map and show you where each clan lives.”
“Will you draw this map before or after you take me to the Buchanans?”
She stepped out of the light while she removed her undergarments and put on her nightgown. Her shyness amused Colm. He was already in bed. He lay on his side and, leaning on his elbow, propped his head up and lazily watched her.
Gabrielle moved back to the fire to warm herself while she brushed the tangles from her hair.
“Why do you put that gown on?” Colm asked. “I’m only going to take it off as soon as you come to bed.”
She put the brush down and turned to him. “I must pay a visit to the Buchanans. Will you take me tomorrow?”
“No.”
“Lady Gillian is my dearest cousin.”
“You’ve never even met the woman.”
“She is still dear to me.”
“I have duties tomorrow. I cannot.”
“Could someone else take me to the Buchanans?”
“No.”
“The day after tomorrow?”
“No. Come to bed.”
She stared at him a long minute. “No.”
He didn’t seem fazed by her refusal. She was disappointed, for she hoped to make him angry. She would have stormed out of the room, but she didn’t have anywhere to go. Besides, she couldn’t storm anywhere unless she got dressed. Gabrielle decided there was too much effort required just to irritate him.
It only took a few more seconds for her to admit to herself that she was going to have to get into bed or she would freeze to death. She crossed the room to the side of the bed.
“Just so you understand. I’m not coming to you. I’m coming to bed.”
She started to climb over him to her side of the bed, but with one movement he pulled her gown over her head and she landed hard on his chest. He pushed her legs down, trapping them with his, and then rolled over so that she was pinned beneath him.
He nibbled her neck as he said, “Just so you understand. I’m going to make love to you.”
He had the last word.
GABRIELLE WAS WALKING to the lake with Braeden’s wife, Lily, who was large with their first child. She wasn’t so much timid as shy, and she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. She was a sweet-tempered woman, and Gabrielle enjoyed her companionship.
“Is this the lake the men swim in?” Gabrielle asked.
“On the far side where we can’t see them. They wouldn’t mind,” Lily said, “but they know we would.”
“Isn’t it a beautiful day? The air is so crisp.” Gabrielle stretched her arms out and let the sun warm her face.
“Wait until you see the lake. It’s clear water,” Lily said. “Freezing to the touch, though. Even in the summer months the water never warms. Just dangling your feet in it will cause your teeth to chatter. I do not know how the men stand it.”
“Thank you for warning me. I will be certain never to test it.”
Gabrielle sat under a tree enjoying this peaceful time of day. The noon meal was finished, but there were still a few hours before supper.
Lily talked about the preparations she was making for the baby, and Gabrielle was about to ask her a question when Ethan and Tom came charging through the trees. Tom was chasing Ethan.
“They should not be here alone,” Lily said.
Gabrielle agreed. She called to the boys. Ethan was trying to outrun Tom, but he couldn’t change direction in time. She watched him trip over his own feet and propel himself into the water.
Lily shouted for help as Gabrielle kicked off her shoes and ran in after the child. The water was so cold she feared her heart would stop. With Tom on the bank wailing, she fished Ethan to the surface and carried him to dry land sputtering and coughing.
“It’s cold,” he told Tom when he could get his breath.
“Lady Gabrielle, could I try—” Tom began.
She knew where he was heading. “No, you may not try the water. Both of you, come with me.”
Lily wrapped her shawl around Ethan. “You’ll be sneezing tonight,” she predicted.
Gabrielle’s teeth chattered. “Snow isn’t as cold as that water,” she said.
Lily nodded. “The boys’ aunt lives just two cottages away from mine. I will see them home. You should go change your clothes before you start sneezing.”
Fortunately, neither Colm nor Liam were inside the castle, and she was able to get to her room without being noticed. Unfortunately, little Ethan and Tom told everyone they saw about Lady MacHugh jumping into the water. By the time Gabrielle had changed her clothes and warmed herself by the fire, the entire clan knew she’d gone swimming in the lake.
Willa and Maurna pounded on her door. “Are you wanting more blankets, milady?”
“I’m fine,” she assured them. “But I do want directions to the twins’ home. I would like to talk to their aunt.”
Willa showed her the way. When the door was answered, Gabrielle understood why the boys were allowed to run wild. The aunt was quite elderly and looked in need of a yearlong nap.
Gabrielle was invited inside. Ethan was looking no worse for wear. Both he and Tom sat at the table eating what appeared to be the same vile paste Willa was always trying to get Gabrielle to eat. The boys seemed to like it, though.
“They’ll be staying inside until tomorrow,” the aunt promised. “Ethan, remember your manners. Thank Lady MacHugh for saving you from death. Apologize to her for her trouble.”
The apology was given and accepted. The aunt ushered Gabrielle outside and closed the door so the boys wouldn’t hear.
“I’m sorry, milady. Ethan and Tom are good boys. I’ve had them since their parents died. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve tried my best, and everyone in the clan has helped out, but they need more than I can give them.”
Gabrielle took the old woman’s hand in hers. “I’ll speak to the laird,” she promised. “I’m sure he’ll think of something.”
On her return to the castle, Gabrielle felt pangs of guilt. After her complaints to Colm about taking on too much responsibility and never delegating, here she was giving him yet another problem to solve.
She was waiting at the table when Colm and Liam walked into the great hall. From Colm’s frown and Liam’s grin, she assumed they had already heard about the incident at the lake.
“Did you enjoy your swim?” Liam asked.
She wasn’t in the mood for merriment. Glaring at Colm, she said, “Did you forget to ban them from the lake?”
“I thought I had,” he said. “Are you all right?”
His concern calmed her down. “That boy nearly drowned. Something has to be done.” She went to him and kissed his cheek. “You will take them in hand? They will not live to be six if you don’t.”
Willa carried supper to the table. Gabrielle had already eaten, but she sat by Colm while he and Liam ate.
“Do you know that after I fished Ethan out, Tom wanted to take a turn?”
Liam choked on the drink of water he had just taken. Gabrielle waited until he stopped coughing and then asked him how old he thought the aunt was.
“I don’t mean to be unkind, but she looked to be at least eighty,” she said.
“Actually, she’s about your age,” Liam said. “That’s what three years with those boys will do.”
She scowled at him. “That’s not amusing.”
Gabrielle turned back to Colm. “She loves those boys, but they’re too much for her. They have too many people telling them what to do, and so they don’t listen to anyone.”
Colm nodded. “I’ll talk to the woman.”
Gabrielle was content knowing he would do what was necessary.
Two days later Gabrielle walked into the great hall carrying a basket of herbs and saw Ethan and Tom running up the stairs. Maurna, standing on the bottom step, watched with apprehension.
“Where are they going?” Gabrielle asked.
“To your chamber,” Maurna answered.
Somewhat alarmed, Gabrielle was cautious to ask, “And why is that?”
“All of your things have been moved to the laird’s chamber. The boys will be living here.”
Maurna turned toward Gabrielle with a smile that showed she was resigned but also a little frantic.
“What about their aunt?” Gabrielle said.
“She will stay in her cottage. She is quite happy about this and said it is best for the boys. They will see her often.”
Gabrielle was about to ask how the boys felt about their new living arrangements, but she heard squeals of laughter from upstairs. She had her answer.