Page 19 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“You’ll always be my lass, forever.” He kissed her soundly on the mouth and gave her a playful bounce by dropping her back onto the bed. She laughed but rearranged her night rail, then climbed out of bed and headed to the door. “You could stay and we could try it again.” His grin told her exactly what he meant.

“And trust that Logan will take care of the lads?” she asked, her hands on her hips.

“You win. I’ll hurry along.”

Once Alex finished dressing, Maddie opened the door, not surprised to see her maid, Alice, headed her way.

“What has them so excited this morn?” Alice asked, looking from Maddie’s face to Alex’s. “I probably need not ask, as I am sure it would be the fine Logan Ramsay.”

“Aye, he’s going to show them how to slide down the snowy hill in some contraption. Would you get Kyla up and dress her, please? We’re going out to check on Logan, and we’ll take her along.”

“The babes have all broken their fast, so all’s left is the dressing. I’ll see to Kyla, my dear. And I do believe the sky is gray, so the snow will not melt so quickly. A good day for it.”

Maddie smiled as the maid turned to fetch Kyla. Alice had been Maddie’s maid for most of her life and came with her from England, and she adored the bairns. The truth was Maddie would be lost without her. She’d married their stablemaster before Maddie had met Alex, and she’d never been happier. Mac could always put a smile on Alice’s face.

Alex finished his ablutions, came over, and kissed Maddie’s cheek. “I’ll leave you to dress while I go in search of food. May I bring you anything?”

“Nay, I’ll hurry along so we can make certain both lads do not decorate the snow with blood.”

“Aye.” He chuckled.

“And don’t forget your promise, Alex.”

He stopped and turned back to her. “Promise?”

She sighed and said, “To consider our Yuletide journey.”

“Aye, I’ll speak with my brothers later.”

He left and she finished her ablutions, then dressed with the cold weather in mind. The last thing she did before heading downstairs was brush her long blonde locks and plait them. On her arrival, the hall was full of boisterous chatter. The boys stood next to their uncle, waiting for him to finish his porridge and warm cup of broth.

“Good morn to all,” she said.

“Mama, I have my boots and trews on, ready to go,” said Jamie, his eyes bright.

Jake added, “I’m ready to go whenever Uncle Logan is ready.”

“Lads, I’m glad you’re prepared.” She bent down and planted a kiss on the top of each head. “Why don’t you leave youruncle for a moment and play by the fire? I’d like you to keep an eye on your sister while I chat with him. Where is Papa?”

“He went to the lists already,” Logan answered. “He said he’d be back in a quarter hour. He took an entire loaf of bread with him.”

She glanced over at the hearth as Jake said, “Come, Kyla. We’ll play swords.”

They pulled out their small wooden swords, handing Kyla the smallest.

Kyla shook her head and said, “Nay!”

“Here, Kyla. This one is for you,” Jake tried again.

“Big! Big!” Kayla shouted, pointing at the larger wooden swords.

“Mama!” Jake said.

“Lads, the longer it takes me to talk to Uncle Logan, the longer it will be before we can leave.”

Jamie said, “Just give her what she wants, Jake. I want to go outside.”

“Big! Shakey. Big!”