He glared at Munn, who had
followed at his heel. “Make it work.”
“Cannot.”
“Why not?” he managed to get the question out
through gritted teeth.
“Will only work when you are ready.”
“I am ready now.” Though that wasn’t true. All he
could think about was Patrick’s daughter hugging his leg and gazing at him
through Isobell’s violet eyes. It wasn’t his twin’s daughter he imagined. ’Twas
his.
He couldn’t leave Isobell behind. He must convince
her to come home with him.
Archibald woke the next morning in the chamber
assigned to him, after a fitful night, more confused than ever. He had a
lady-wife he loved with all his heart no matter the crime she committed against
him, which he could easily forgive, and against his clan, which was not so
easily forgiven.
What should he do? He had this one day to find an
answer to the dilemma.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I sobell
tiptoed to the window. Snow dusted the garden and continued to fall in soft,
fluffy flakes. Even being lost in the blizzard hadn’t destroyed her ability to
appreciate the beauty. Fresh snow for Christmas Eve morning. A new beginning
for Isobell.
Was it to be here in the future alone or dare she
hope Archie would agree to stay?
He’d been especially attentive when he first
arrived. Each time their gazes met, he gave her a secret smile that made her
heart beat faster. Then yesterday, he questioned her about the past year. His
frustration was understandable. He deserved a truthful answer.
Today would be the day of reckoning.
She kept busy during the morning at the inn,
helping the women prepare for the feast and decorating a large fir tree with
the children. A lovely tradition.
Archie always seemed to be nearby, and she stole
covert glances. If he couldn’t forgive her, she would probably never see him
again after tonight. Her heart ached with the desolate thought.
Loud voices outside the front door brought
everyone to a halt. The door swung open and Archie’s sister Elspeth stepped in
carrying a wee bairn . Mairi screeched and ran forward, enveloping the
pair in a hug.
A handsome, sandy-haired man crossed the
threshold, carrying brightly colored wrapped packages. Must be her husband
Finn. The other men approached him, one by one, grasping forearms in a warrior
greeting. Finn’s eyes flared when Archie presented his arm. Finn pulled him
into a manly embrace with much backslapping. “It’s good to see you.”
“And I, you.” Archibald turned to Isobell, grasped
her arm and tugged her forward. “Let me present my lady-wife, Lady Isobell.”
Flustered, Isobell dropped into an awkward curtsy
because of the jeans she was wearing. Finn bowed in a courtly fashion and
brought her fingers to his lips.
“We will have none of that, you scoundrel.” Archie
grabbed her hand away before the kiss. Everyone laughed good-naturedly.
He was jealous. Good. He should stay with me in
the future . Then she would never need to tell him about her furtive
activities of revenge.
Mairi clapped. “Come. Come. Come into the other
room.”
They headed for the chamber Mairi called the parlor where wee lights on the decorated tree sparkled. Gifts were given round. Laurie
placed a large box on Isobell’s lap.
“What is this?” she asked.
“A Christmas present from me and Patrick. Everyone,
including the children, will change into traditional Scottish clothing for
midnight service. This is something for you to wear.”
“I am touched.” Inside the box, Isobell found a
woman’s linen leine , an overdress, and a white-striped wool arisaid .
She wiped a tear from the side of an eye. “Thank you.”
Mugs of warm spiced wine were passed around and
the adults enjoyed playing games with the children. Just before dinnertime, the
front bell rang and Caitrina entered the inn, brushing snow from her shoulders.
A large man with long black hair joined her, carrying more gifts. He towered
over Patrick and Finn who hurried to greet him.
“Douglas,
followed at his heel. “Make it work.”
“Cannot.”
“Why not?” he managed to get the question out
through gritted teeth.
“Will only work when you are ready.”
“I am ready now.” Though that wasn’t true. All he
could think about was Patrick’s daughter hugging his leg and gazing at him
through Isobell’s violet eyes. It wasn’t his twin’s daughter he imagined. ’Twas
his.
He couldn’t leave Isobell behind. He must convince
her to come home with him.
Archibald woke the next morning in the chamber
assigned to him, after a fitful night, more confused than ever. He had a
lady-wife he loved with all his heart no matter the crime she committed against
him, which he could easily forgive, and against his clan, which was not so
easily forgiven.
What should he do? He had this one day to find an
answer to the dilemma.
CHAPTER TWELVE
I sobell
tiptoed to the window. Snow dusted the garden and continued to fall in soft,
fluffy flakes. Even being lost in the blizzard hadn’t destroyed her ability to
appreciate the beauty. Fresh snow for Christmas Eve morning. A new beginning
for Isobell.
Was it to be here in the future alone or dare she
hope Archie would agree to stay?
He’d been especially attentive when he first
arrived. Each time their gazes met, he gave her a secret smile that made her
heart beat faster. Then yesterday, he questioned her about the past year. His
frustration was understandable. He deserved a truthful answer.
Today would be the day of reckoning.
She kept busy during the morning at the inn,
helping the women prepare for the feast and decorating a large fir tree with
the children. A lovely tradition.
Archie always seemed to be nearby, and she stole
covert glances. If he couldn’t forgive her, she would probably never see him
again after tonight. Her heart ached with the desolate thought.
Loud voices outside the front door brought
everyone to a halt. The door swung open and Archie’s sister Elspeth stepped in
carrying a wee bairn . Mairi screeched and ran forward, enveloping the
pair in a hug.
A handsome, sandy-haired man crossed the
threshold, carrying brightly colored wrapped packages. Must be her husband
Finn. The other men approached him, one by one, grasping forearms in a warrior
greeting. Finn’s eyes flared when Archie presented his arm. Finn pulled him
into a manly embrace with much backslapping. “It’s good to see you.”
“And I, you.” Archibald turned to Isobell, grasped
her arm and tugged her forward. “Let me present my lady-wife, Lady Isobell.”
Flustered, Isobell dropped into an awkward curtsy
because of the jeans she was wearing. Finn bowed in a courtly fashion and
brought her fingers to his lips.
“We will have none of that, you scoundrel.” Archie
grabbed her hand away before the kiss. Everyone laughed good-naturedly.
He was jealous. Good. He should stay with me in
the future . Then she would never need to tell him about her furtive
activities of revenge.
Mairi clapped. “Come. Come. Come into the other
room.”
They headed for the chamber Mairi called the parlor where wee lights on the decorated tree sparkled. Gifts were given round. Laurie
placed a large box on Isobell’s lap.
“What is this?” she asked.
“A Christmas present from me and Patrick. Everyone,
including the children, will change into traditional Scottish clothing for
midnight service. This is something for you to wear.”
“I am touched.” Inside the box, Isobell found a
woman’s linen leine , an overdress, and a white-striped wool arisaid .
She wiped a tear from the side of an eye. “Thank you.”
Mugs of warm spiced wine were passed around and
the adults enjoyed playing games with the children. Just before dinnertime, the
front bell rang and Caitrina entered the inn, brushing snow from her shoulders.
A large man with long black hair joined her, carrying more gifts. He towered
over Patrick and Finn who hurried to greet him.
“Douglas,
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