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Gabriel’s eyebrows scrunched with confusion for a moment as he wondered how Jacob instantly knew who he was talking about. Sitting straighter in the chair, Gabriel waved for Jacob to sit with him.
“How did ye ken I was thinkin’ of that man?” Gabriel asked.
“It’s a bit obvious,” Jacob said. “Of course it does help when ye have Isobel whisperin’ in yer ear about the issues around here. Then of course, the servants pick up things, ye ken. They ken all that goes on.”
“And what have ye heard?” Gabriel asked, leaning closer to Jacob.
“I ken Isobel’s sister, Anna, cries herself to sleep at night,” Jacob answered. “And that she often stays in Isobel’s room. Isobel has told me that they use the excuse that it is Isobel who needs Anna more than Anna needin’ Isobel.”
“And what would ye do to stop such behavior? Anna’s issues are causin’ Elena stress that she doesnae need. I promised Elena I’d handle the situation, but unless I’m willin’ to send the lot of them away, and isolate Elena, I daenae ken what to do.”
“Have ye tried speakin’ wit’ Vincent about all this?” Jacob asked.
Gabriel’s head bobbed a moment and he shrugged. “A bit. The last thin’ I told Vincent was that if he lifted his hand to Anna while in my home, I’d have him flogged. But I’ve nae seen any signs of such dealings.”
“Then it would seem Vincent is skirtin’ around yer wishes,” Jacob said, arching his eyebrow. “Just like a bairn, nay?”
“How so?”
“Well,” Jacob said, leaning back in his seat. “A child will test a parent’s boundaries every chance they get, right? Seems to me that is what Vincent is doin’ wit’ ye. He’ll nae raise his hand to his wife here, but he’ll make sure she kens he’s the one in charge.”
“And how should I stop such behavior? Elena will be mad if I tell them to go. Nae to mention, there’s nay tellin’ the damage Vincent will do once they are gone. And wit’ Iona and the rest of the family here, I cannae come outright wit’ such accusations. It’ll be my word against his and Vincent is clever.”
“Then ye’ll have to get him away from the castle,” Jacob answered. Suddenly everything became so clear to Gabriel he wanted to slap himself for not seeing the solution sooner.
Lunging forward, Gabriel drew Jacob to him and hugged him tightly. “Brilliant. I’ll invite Vincent to a hunt. Get him away from everyone and speak wit’ him then. And should any issues arise it’ll be away from Elena and the others. Yer brilliant, absolutely brilliant.”
“Well, I thought it would be the easiest solution,” Jacob said, grabbing his vest as he lifted his head a bit higher than before. Gabriel could see the pride in Jacob’s features as he rose to his feet.
“Go then,” Gabriel said, “and make ready the horses. I’m certain it’ll nae take much convincin’ on my part to get Vincent to come.”
“Just tell him there will be a bottle of whiskey for him,” Jacob snorted. “I’m certain he’ll come if ye offer him that.”
“Aye, yer probably right. But I need Vincent sober in order to get him to listen to me.”
“And what if he doesnae listen?” Jacob asked.
“Suppose Anna and her children can remain here for a bit and I’ll send him away,” Gabriel said. “But I doubt it’ll come to that.”
Gabriel flashed Jacob a smile as he stood and stretched the sleep out of him. Although he was feeling a bit tired, he knew what he had to do.
Moving to the hall, Gabriel kept his head high and shoulders straight. He doubted that Vincent would be up so early, but at least that would give him time to get his gear ready. The moment he stepped into the hall, his eyes widened.
“There’s the lad,” Darragh said with a shout. “We’ve been wonderin’ when ye would wake up.”
“Good day to ye,” Gabriel said as he walked into the room feeling a bit confused. But at least Vincent was awake, although he didn’t look too happy to be so.
“We’ve decided to go for a hunt,” Darragh said, slapping Vincent hard on the shoulder. Gabriel’s heart sank into his stomach. He’d wanted to use the excuse in order to speak with Vincent alone. He never thought Darragh would be coming with them.
“Have ye now?” Gabriel asked as he moved to the large table lined with food and plucked a small roll off the tray.
“Aye, and from what I’ve been told, the horses are being prepared as we speak,” Darragh said.
“Suppose I’ll have to go tell Elena I’m leavin’ then. Ye ken how women get worried about the smallest things.” Gabriel’s eyes flickered to Vincent. Vincent seemed as if Darragh had dragged him from his room at some ungodly hour and was nursing a headache. For a moment, Gabriel couldn’t help but wonder if Darragh knew of Vincent’s problem, or if all this was a mere coincidence.
“Is that nae what servants are for?” Darragh asked with a hearty chuckle.
“Perhaps to ye,” Gabriel said, pulling in a deep breath. Still feeling a bit tired, he wasn’t certain if bringing anything up to Vincent about his actions under his roof was a good idea with Darragh there. But, it would be the only time he would get to speak to Vincent alone.
