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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 To what appeared to be the saet Gabrielle to eat The boys seeh
“They’ll be staying inside until tomorrow,” the aunt proh for saving you froize 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’ood 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 ive them”
Gabrielle took the old woman’s hand in hers “I’ll speak to the laird,” she pro”
On her return to the castle, Gabrielle felt pangs of guilt After her co on toohim yet another problem to solve
She aiting at the table when Colreat hall Frorin, she assumed they had already heard about the incident at the lake
“Did you enjoy your swim?” Liam asked
She wasn’t in the et to ban them from the lake?”
“I thought I had,” he said “Are you all right?”
His concern cal 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 hiht the aunt was
“I don’t hty,” she said
“Actually, she’s about your age,” Liam said “That’s what three years with those boys will do”
She scowled at hi”
Gabrielle turned back to Colm “She loves those boys, but they’re toothem 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 as necessary
Two days later Gabrielle walked into the great hall carrying a basket of herbs and saw Ethan and To 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 beenhere”
Maurna turned toward Gabrielle with a sned 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 arrangehter from upstairs She had her answer
IT WAS A GLORIOUS DAY COLM HAD SURPRISED GABRIELLE AND taken her riding They len and slowed their horses to an easy walk
Colm had never before left his duties to spend idle time with her, and Gabrielle was deeply suspicious of his motives
“I have no other motive, Gabrielle,” he told her “I knew you wanted to ride Rogue, and so I decided to accommodate you”
“Faust would usually ride with htful!”
“Do you want to spend our tiether, or would you prefer to actually ride?”
It was lovely having her husband all to herself, but the time slipped away too quickly
He talked to her about Ethan and Toiven chores that they can handle, and they may play when the chores are completed”
“Who will give them these chores and see that they are completed?”
He nudged his horse close so that he was beside her Reaching over, he pulled her to him “The mistress of my home”
He kissed her before she could argue When he lifted his head, he said, “You did suggest that I delegate”
“Yes, but—”
“It’s tiet back,” he said
He’d sounded reluctant, she thought, and that pleased her Perhaps he liked spending time alone with her as much as she did with him
They were nearing the drawbridge when a soldier intercepted them
“Laird, there is a er who says he comes from your wife’s father”
“My father?” Gabrielle cried out
Colo racing off without him
“Where is this er?”
“At the base of our uards know not to let hi your permission”
“Have hie”
“Aye, Laird,” he replied
“Gabrielle, you ait inside”
“I would prefer to go with you, husband”
“You will go inside”
She was through being diplo with you Before you deny ain, I will mention that I know er is froshire or not Besides,” she rushed on before he could interrupt, “I will still be on your land You’ve let uards many times”
It was a sound argue his mind
She stayed behind him and slohen she reached the sharp turn in the trail just above the dividing line between Finney’s Flat and the mountain
“Cols bad news?”
“Then ill hear it together”
She didn’t have time to fret over that possibility, for once she had rounded the tight bend in the trail, she could see the er
“It’s Nigel!” she exclaimed “He is one of my father’s most loyal servants, and I have known him for years”
Gabrielle nudged Rogue to go faster as she called out a greeting to her father’s steward Nigel didn’t wait for her to dis her the scroll in his hands She knew the enuine because it bore her father’s seal She was so excited she could barely contain herself as she read it
“My father comes to see me…see us,” she corrected, “and will be here by the end of the week This is wonderful news, and I thank you, Nigel, for bringing it to me”
She looked up at Colm “He ish to refresh himself May I offer him your hospitality?”
“You uards “Take him to the kitchens”
As soon as Nigel was out of sight, she opened the e and read it to Colm
“Daughter, I shall arrive at your new home by week’s end to see for myself that you are safe and well cared for I have been told that you are e for myself once I have met your husband and looked into your eyes
“When I was told what you had endured at the abbey, I was enraged I frantically searched for you Word came from Laird Buchanan that y
ou were safe and protected My relief was great, Daughter, but e remained I called up my vassals to prepare for war Other barons joinedCoswold and Percy have done, but I will not rest until both have paid for their sins”