“Fine,” she muttered under her breath, tossing back the blankets and swinging her feet to the floor.
“Let him rot in his precious stone room then.” She dressed swiftly, forcing her thoughts away from her husband. If Declan wished distance, then she’d find comfort elsewhere, namely, in the joy of three little girls who never failed to brighten her mood.
When Isabelle entered the nursery, the room came alive with laughter and the patter of small feet.
“Lady Isabelle!” Hallie cried, running forward with her sisters tumbling close behind.
Beth clung to her skirts while Penelope waved a sprig of holly she had found somewhere.
“Ye came early today!” Hallie said breathlessly, her curls bouncing as she looked up.
“Aye, I did,” Isabelle said warmly, bending down to gather them in her arms. “Couldnae stay away from me three wee whirlwinds.” She smiled as the girls giggled and crowded around her. “Now, what are ye up to this morning?”
“We’re gonna be makin’ Yule vines today!” Beth declared proudly, holding up a length of twine she had pilfered from the nursemaid’s mending basket. “Ye promised we could, remember?”
“Aye, I did,” Isabelle said with a nod, her smile deepening. “And I always keep me promises.”
She turned to the nursemaid standing by the window. “Bren, dress the lassies warm. We’ll be gathering the holly and vines ourselves this morn.”
Bren curtsied obediently. “At once, me Lady .”
The triplets squealed in delight and scattered across the room, rummaging through chests for their mittens and scarves.Isabelle’s heart softened as she watched them, their chatter and laughter filling the air like music. For a brief, blissful moment, she forgot about Declan entirely. The sight of the children’s unbridled joy made her chest ache in the sweetest way.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway. “Good morn to ye all. What’s this commotion I hear from halfway down the hall?”
Isabelle turned to see Mabel entering, her dark wool gown trailing behind her, a soft smile on her face.
“We’re going out to gather vines and holly for Yule decorations,” Isabelle said. “Would ye like to come with us?”
Mabel’s eyes brightened with quiet delight. “I’d be honored, truly.” She stepped closer, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Though I must say, ye’ve got quite the spirited little troop on yer hands.”
“Aye, they keep me on me toes,” Isabelle said with a laugh as Hallie tried to tug on her boots without sitting down. “We’ll be done in a moment, Mabel. Bren’s dressing them warm for the cold.”
Mabel nodded approvingly. “Ye’re a kind soul, Isabelle. It means more than ye ken, what ye’re doing for the bairns. They’ve been… quieter these past years until ye came.”
The words struck Isabelle’s heart with a soft, tender ache. She lowered her gaze, smiling faintly.
“They’ve brought as much joy to me as I have to them, I think.” Her voice lowered a touch. “It feels good to have a purpose again.”
Mabel tilted her head slightly, her eyes gentle. “Declan may not say it aloud, but he sees what ye’re doing, lass. Ye’re healing more than the girls, ye ken.”
Isabelle’s chest tightened at the mention of Declan’s name. “If only he’d let me see that,” she murmured. Then, forcing a bright tone, she said, “Enough of that talk. Let’s fetch our cloaks before the bairns lose patience.”
Mabel chuckled softly. “Aye.” She turned toward the door, her steps light. “I’ll fetch me own cloak and meet ye all in the courtyard. Isabelle, dinnae leave without me.”
“We’ll wait for ye,” Isabelle promised with a nod.
As Mabel left, Isabelle turned back to the girls, who were now bundled in mismatched mittens and scarves, their cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Right, me bonnie lassies,” she said with mock sternness. “Are ye ready for an adventure?”
“Aye!” they chorused, nearly tripping over one another in their enthusiasm.
“Then off we go,” Isabelle said, her heart swelling as she took their tiny hands in hers.
She felt a flicker of peace settle within her. Perhaps Declan could keep to his stone room and his stubborn silence for now; she had warmth enough in her day without him.
The air outside bit at Isabelle’s cheeks as she stepped into the courtyard with two baskets in hand, her breath rising in small clouds before her. The triplets skipped ahead with Bren close behind, trying to keep them from tumbling into the snow.
