On the stairs earlier, they had met Isobel for a brief moment, as she and Calla were going to put the bairns down for naps while the nursemaids watched over them.
Though Isobel resembled her eldest brother in coloring, her friendly smile was vastly different from his stern facade. "The bairns are sleeping now. Wee Griff is worn out from the journey."
"He's adorable." Lily grinned. "I hope I can hold him later."
"Of course."
"Is your handsome eldest brother as intimidating as he appears?" Rose lifted a mischievous brow.
Lily gasped and Elspeth was astonished Rose would simply blurt out a question like that.
Isobel chuckled. "Not to me, but everyone else seems to think so. Cyrus is a very serious man. Very driven."
"Our young Lily is hoping for a love match, are you not?" Rose inquired.
Lily blushed. "I don't wish to speak of it now."
Ignoring her, Rose went on. "As her cousin, I feel 'tis my duty to help her, especially since her mother isn't here."
"Of course." Isobel smiled. "Women must give each other advice about marriage. And of course, love matches are the absolute best."
Calla nodded. "Indeed."
"I'm glad you think so," Rose said. "What kind of husband do you suppose your brother would be to Lily?"
"Rose, cease your questions," Lily hissed in a scolding tone, her face flushing an even deeper scarlet.
Isobel still appeared amused. Thank goodness. Elspeth certainly didn't wish to see two women fighting this day.
"If you can capture his heart, you will have a happy life. But I must admit… he is rather stingy with his affections." Isobel sobered. "'Tis because a lass he loved betrayed him when he was younger, and he has not given his heart again. He swears he doesn't have one, but I ken he does. He watches over all of us—his siblings, and indeed the entire clan—as if we were his children. He cares deeply, and if any of us are in trouble, he rushes to our rescue. Fire and sword to any who would harm us. He is overprotective, if you wish the truth. When our brother Shamus was held hostage by the MacDonalds, Cyrus laid siege to their castle. He and his men were the victors."
Rose's mouth dropped open. "Good heavens. Did Shamus survive?"
"Aye. In fact, he married the new MacDonald chief's sister, and all is well. They have a wee son. You should see Cyrus when he carries his nephews about. He treats them like his own children. 'Tis clear he will make a good father."
Elspeth found she was holding her breath, hanging on Isobel's every word about her oldest brother. She could not imagine the fearsome man cuddling bairns.
"And I believe he will make a fine husband," Isobel said. "He will provide anything a wife and children could want or need. I simply hope he will find love." Worry weighing Isobel's expression, she looked to Lily. "It depends on whether you are determined to win his heart. My husband required some convincing before we married." Isobel grinned mischievously. "'Twas well worth the extra effort."
"Indeed. The path to true love can be extremely arduous, but in the end, very rewarding." Calla's gray eyes sparkled with joy and intense emotion. "Rebbie's and my path certainly was."
Isobel patted Calla's hand. "Dirk and I are thrilled you and Rebbie found each other again."
Elspeth wasn't certain what she meant. They must have been together previously.
Since Elspeth had arrived earlier in the day, she had noticed that Calla and Rebbie were completely devoted to one another. He would often kiss her forehead or cheek in full view of everyone. Clearly, he adored her.
Such closeness made Elspeth feel exceedingly lonely. Most of the time, she did not give herself time to think about it. She stayed occupied with her businesses. But she had never experienced such love as they were discussing. 'Twas a completely foreign concept, and she felt even more naïve than Lily when it came to deep emotion. She'd felt no romantic interest in her husband nor the earl. She had not even been certain such sentiment existed. But if it did, the love story always ended tragically, as the bards' poems foretold, did it not?
∞∞∞
Cyrus and his brothers, along with Rebbie and Dirk, entered the large comfortable library with a low-burning fire in the hearth, brown leather chairs, vivid tapestries on the walls and thick rush mats underfoot. Cyrus was impressed with Rebbie's great wealth, but he also liked the man for his down-to-earth, forthright nature. With his sense of humor and even temperament, he made everyone around him feel welcomed and relaxed.
Rebbie poured drams of whisky for all of them and then offered a toast to their health. Talking, they all took seats upon the cushioned chairs and settles near the hearth.
Cyrus tried to envision Lady Lily but the female that popped into his mind was the beautiful redhead. The way Rebbie had introduced her had not told Cyrus whether she was married or a widow. And whose daughter was she?
She was perhaps three or four years older than Lily, but not old by any means… certainly several years younger than he was himself. Cyrus couldn't ask anything about her. Hell, he didn't even want to think about her.
