Isabelle nodded, her eyes misty, yet shining with the deep comfort of kinship. “I’ve missed ye too, Norah, more than words can say. Now that ye’re here and with me nephews, the castle feels complete.”
For the first time in weeks, she let herself fully relax, safe in the knowledge that those she loved were beside her.
“Isabelle, I am so very sorry I was nae there for yer weddin’ day. It grieves me,” Norah said.
“As it does I, but neither of us could have kenned how that day would turn out to be me own weddin’ instead of Rosaline,” Isabelle replied.
“It still baffles me, Isabelle,” Norah said, her brows knitting. “I cannae believe Rosaline would go so far, takin’ ye away like that with bandits. The lockin’ in the closet with Declan, I can see her doin’ such a thing, but the rest…”
Isabelle nodded, her fingers drumming lightly on the arm of her chair.
“Aye, I was shocked too. I thought I knew her, but she’s crueler than I imagined.”
“I wrote to Faither , and he said he had no knowledge of what she was up to, only that she had run away. He thought she had run away with a suitor, and to protect her reputation, he dinnae raise alarm over it,” Norah explained.
“Aye, he wrote to me the exact same words,” Isabelle said.
“And do ye believe him?” Norah asked.
“I do. As awful as Faither can be, I saw him shakin’ in his boots when speaking with Declan when he offered me hand in marriage to him. I dinnae think our faither would risk war with clan McCallum to satisfy Rosaline’s vengeance,” Isabelle said.
“Does Declan believe that?” Norah asked.
“Aye. At first he had a temper about it, ready to march on our faither and demand answers, but I calmed that endeavor with reason,” Isabelle said.
“And what did Declan decide for Rosaline’s punishment? Does she still haunt yer dungeon?” Norah asked, leaning forward, her voice low with curiosity.
Isabelle took a slow breath, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “He trusts nae one to truly punish her but himself, so he hired a solicitor and sent his guards to take her off to France with barely any coin. She’ll have to fend for herself, make her own way, and she’ll trouble us no longer.”
Norah exhaled, a mixture of relief and admiration crossing her features.
“That’s… decisive, but fair,” Norah murmured, shaking her head. “Aye, he’s a laird, he’s clever, and he protects those he loves fiercely.”
Isabelle reached across the table and squeezed her sister’s hand, warmth spreading through her chest.
“It warms me heart to see ye here, Norah. I feared so long we might never share such a quiet moment again.”
“And I ye,” Isabelle said.
“Ye are welcome in this castle for as long as ye like and any time ye like. I hope that ye will take me up on that offer,” Isabelle said.
“Aye, indeed, I will. As often as I can,” Norah agreed.
After finishing tea and cakes, the two sisters made their way to the great hall to join the others. There would not be a grand Yule affair, but the small amount of decoration and family was enough for Isabelle.
The hall was alive with warmth and laughter as the family gathered before the massive hearth, the Yule log set in place upon the iron grate.
Isabelle clutched Declan’s hand, her cheeks flushed with excitement and the heat from the fire.
“Ready, me Laird ?” she asked, her eyes sparkling as the children chattered around them.
Declan nodded, his hand firm over hers, his voice low and steady, “Aye, lass. Tonight, we burn away the old and welcome the joy of the season.”
The log was large and gnarled, draped in ribbons and evergreens, and Declan knelt to set it alight.
“By me oath, ’tis a fine blaze we’ll have,” he said, striking flint against steel until sparks caught.
Isabelle leaned close, the scent of pine and smoke mingling with the rich aroma of roasted meats that drifted from the kitchen into the hall.
