After finishing their tea, the little group bundled up in cloaks, made their way outside the castle’s stone walls.
“Now, which log shall be the chosen one, I wonder?” Penelope asked, looking around with wide, eager eyes.
Isabelle took the girls’ hands in hers, letting them lead the way, while Mabel followed quietly behind. The crisp winter air filled Isabelle’s lungs, and she felt a rare lightness in her chest.
“We’ll find it! We’ll find it!” Hallie shouted, running a few steps ahead and stopping suddenly to point at a gnarled old oak stump.
“No, over here!” Beth called, tugging at Isabelle’s sleeve and bouncing on the balls of her feet.
Penelope, not to be outdone, darted toward a moss-covered fallen branch. Isabelle and Mabel exchanged amused glances, allowing the children to lead, their enthusiasm infectious.
“Ye know,” Mabel said softly, falling in step beside Isabelle, “I’m surprised ye convinced me braither to let this happen. He’s nae a man to bend easily.”
Isabelle smiled, glancing down at the triplets’ energetic little forms. “He’s nae as cruel as I thought about Yule, Mabel. He’d do anything for these bairns, even if I couldnae see it at first. Idinnae ken the reason for it. I dinnae ken about Tristan. I am very sorry for yer loss,” she replied, a sudden warmth creeping into her chest as she admitted the truth to herself.
Mabel’s gaze softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thank ye. Ye neednae worry about what’s past, Isabelle. It’s clear ye care for them, and it’s not often ye see joy in this castle.”
Isabelle’s eyes lingered on the girls as they ran ahead, laughing and shouting, their cheeks flushed pink from the cold. She felt a pang of guilt, realizing she had judged Declan harshly without understanding the history he carried with the children and his brother.
“I suppose I was insensitive before, suggesting he was cruel,” Isabelle said quietly, more to herself than to Mabel. “I had nae idea about his faither or the way the past shaped him.”
Mabel patted her arm gently. “Ye’ve learned now, and that’s enough. We’ll celebrate anew, and it will bring joy back into these halls.”
The girls, oblivious to the conversation behind them, suddenly shrieked in unison.
“We found it! We found the perfect log!” Hallie cried, pointing to a broad, sturdy oak trunk that lay half-buried in the snow.
Beth and Penelope leapt to her side, hugging the log and each other in delight.
Isabelle and Mabel laughed, their hearts swelling as they hurried forward to join the children.
“Ye’ve chosen wisely, me dears,” Isabelle said, kneeling to brush snow from the log and inspecting it with mock seriousness.
The girls giggled, proud of their selection. Mabel crouched beside her, her hand resting gently on Isabelle’s shoulder.
“It’s a fine choice, Isabelle. Seems the Yule spirit is already with us,” she murmured, her eyes twinkling with quiet approval.
The triplets bounced around the log, their excitement infecting everyone nearby.
“We’ll carry it ourselves! Can we?” Penelope asked, her hands clasped together as if in prayer.
Isabelle chuckled, ruffling the girl’s hair. “I believe it is too heavy. Let us get a servant to help us,” she said firmly.
Mabel nodded in agreement, casting a watchful eye on the girls.
“Ye’ll learn responsibility and have fun at the same time,” she said softly.
Isabelle felt a wave of contentment wash over her as she watched the girls’ laughter ring as they ran back to get help.
“This,” Isabelle murmured to Mabel quietly, “this is what makes all the fuss and anger fade away.”
Mabel smiled knowingly.
The log lay ready before them, a symbol of warmth, new memories, and hope. Isabelle’s heart swelled with a mixture of joy and resolve; today, she could set aside her worries and simply be present for the children. A few moments later, the children returned with a servant to help carry the log.
“Let’s get it back to the castle,” Isabelle said, standing and dusting off her hands. “We’ll place it by the hearth and prepare for Yule.”
The girls cheered. Mabel and Isabelle walked side by side, sharing quiet laughter as they guided the trio.
