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“Jacob,” Elena answered hastily. “He is of fine stock and well bred. He happens to adore Isobel and has been at her side since they met.”
“Are ye talkin’ of the servant boy constantly around Gabriel?”
“He’s well funded,” Elena explained. “And I think they’d be happy together. If their relationship was somethin’ that ye could allow.”
Elena’s heart fluttered as she stared at Iona. Her mother’s scowl shifted as she leaned back into her seat.
“Jacob is of yer household, and seein’ as how yer the Lady McAllister, ye can decide for them,” Iona said with a hint of a smile. “If it is love that they have, let them have it. For this family has been through enough vengeance and deceit that we could all use a bit of hope in our lives.”
Elena couldn’t help but giggle as she let her mother’s words seep in. There was a sort of pride that filled Elena as her mother acknowledged her place. From the moment Elena and Gabriel were married, Iona seemed put off by the match. Yet, Elena knew her mother could no longer deny that she was madly in love with Gabriel.
As the carriage stopped at the castle, Elena slipped out of it and looked around. Three more were behind them. It seemed like forever before Isobel finally emerged out of hers. Elena rushed up to her youngest sister and kissed her cheek.
“For a funeral, yer awfully happy,” Isobel said as she flashed a quick smile to the child in Elena’s arms.
“Ye’ll be happy too, when I tell ye the news,” Elena said.
“What news?”
“Maither has declared that since there is nay Laird of Baxter right now, yer contract to yer suitor is nulled.” Isobel’s eyes widened as fear gripped her.
“What?”
“Ye daenae have to marry if ye daenae want to. Ye can marry for love.”
“Ye must be joshin’ me,” Isobel said, shaking her head. “That’s nae funny, Elena.”
“I’m tellin’ ye the truth. If it is Jacob ye want,” Elena’s eyes shifted to Jacob as he stood at the entrance waiting for Isobel, “he is yers. But he must ask Gabriel first since he is now the head of this house.”
Isobel’s face lit up as if she were the sun rising for the first time. Isobel’s eyes shot to Jacob and before Elena could say another word, she took off toward Jacob. Elena couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of her sister throwing her arms around Jacob’s neck and hugging him tightly.
“Come,” Isobel said, dragging Jacob behind her. “I’ve news to tell ye.”
Jacob fumbled behind Isobel as she drew him to the garden and away from the prying eyes and ears of the family. Elena sucked in a deep breath as she looked at her home. The castle was warm and welcoming. So different than what she had seen when she first arrived.
Her heart melted as she noticed Gabriel in the window of the study. Panic shot through her. Elena rushed inside and made a beeline directly to Gabriel.
“What are ye doin’ up? Yer nae supposed to be up for another two days,” Elena scolded.
“And miss ye comin’ back?” he said as she hugged him with one arm. Gabriel stretched his hands out eagerly. Elena slipped Darragh into his welcoming arms and plopped down into the seat as if holding the babe for so long was trying.
“I thought ye’d be sad today,” Gabriel said as he bobbed Darragh’s little nose.
“I am, to an extent,” Elena confessed. “I did after all lose an uncle.”
“So why can ye nae stop smilin’?” Gabriel asked.
“Because, my maither has relinquished her rights as Lady and will allow Isobel to pick the man she wishes to marry,” Elena answered. Gabriel’s eyes widened.
“Does that mean Jacob will be callin’ on me soon?”
“I reckon it will,” Elena said. “And what will ye tell him?”
“What do ye think I’ll say?” Gabriel’s eyebrow arched as he flashed her favorite grin.
“I’m nay mind reader, M’Laird,” Elena said as Gabriel leaned down and crushed his lips to hers.
A light rap of knuckles on the door caused Elena to pull away. Anna stood in the doorway, donning black garbs and a somber expression.
