Page 76 of In Search of a Husband
She raised her eyebrows at everything that statement implied.
“Today,” he clarified. “No’ done today.”
Liar.
“We’ve a cat to find,” she shouted after him as he raced down the stairs to Finn standing in the doorway holding Maisie upside down as Elsie wielded an old china vase in her hand as a weapon.
“Whoa, now. Finn, unhand my niece.” Gabriel approached, holding out his hands. “And Elsie, if ye break that vase, then ye’ll have less of a dowry than ye already do.”
“It’d be worth it to see this man knocked unconscious.”
His sister scowled, balling her fists tight at her side.
“Now.” Gabriel came between the pair of once childhood lovers. “Ye’ve kent he’s workin’ for me. I suspect he’s here on business.”
“Running whisky again,” she muttered. “I thought ye were through with illicit whisky.”
“I am.Weare,” he corrected.
Finn gently lowered Maisie to the ground and helped her to her feet, ruffling her hair before the little girl darted behind Elsie’s skirts.
“Girls, help me in the kitchen. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry, and we’ve apples to use up before they turn soft.” Kate swooped in, and for the first time, he noticed how undone she had become, how comfortable. How she wore her hair looser, as if daring it to slip from its pins. How she didn’t bother hiding how red her lips turned after he kissed her. How she sang and danced and floated about as if she no longer hid from the scorn of others.
As if they were not only partners in business or partners in bed, but partners in life.
“Gabe?” Elsie yelled, tossing her hands up in frustration. “Kate, we’ve a new rule. Nae men are to step foot into this castle. We women are claiming it for our own.”
Kate shrugged, peeking over her shoulder at him as if she would entertain the idea.
“Ye better no’,” he said, addressing her. Only her.
That’s when Finn cleared his throat. “I came only to pass on the ledgers to Gabe and to let him ken I’ve word some guests are due to arrive early tomorrow morning.”
“We’re trying to find Ben,” Elsie declared.
“He’ll come around.”
“He might be dead,” Gabriel said matter-of-factly. He never cared for the cranky cat, and the cat had lived here for at least twenty years.
“Well Christ, he must be five-and-twenty. Poor fella must be exhausted.”
“Might be eighteen at best.” Elsie glared at him. “Hand over the ledgers and leave.”
“Nae, I gave him to ye after yer Ma’s?—”
“I remember when,” she shot back. “And ye didna give him to anyone. He was a wee kitten, and yer father threatened to toss him in the river.”
“He was jestin’. My da wouldna hurt anyone.”
Except that wasn’t true. And the weight of that omission hung heavy in the air between the trio.
“I think we can find a middle ground here, dinna ye, Elsie.” Gabriel attempted peace, but wounded hearts hurt deep, and he was certain his sister wouldn’t rest until Finn was ruined for what he had done.
“Hell will freeze over before I can tolerate this blackguard’s presence again.”
“Pack up, Elsie dear, because this man isna leavin’. He’s yer brother’s business partner.”
Elsie spun around and whacked Gabriel in the arm. “Ye wouldna. Ye bloody traitor. I returned here for ye and the bairns. I gave up?—”
