love, this is Kenzie Jacobs Macleod, and I do believe she’s our descendant.”
Braxton’s smiled dissipated, and Kenzie hoped she’d not disappointed him with her visit. She only wanted to bring joy to them all, not to be a burden or a cause of trouble.
“Our descendant,” he repeated, frowning. “How so?”
Gwen gestured for her to explain. Kenzie clasped her hands to stop them from shaking. “I’m your great great, many times over, granddaughter. My family line comes from your daughter Madeline.” She shrugged. “And so, here I am.”
“Yes, here ye are.” Gwen pulled her into another hug. “How wonderful to hear that wee Madeline’s line thrives to the your time.”
Kenzie nodded, knowing that such knowledge would be welcome for a parent. To know their children survived long enough to have a marriage and bairns of their own. “From what I know of the family tree and from reading letters and journals—all the marriages in my line were happy ones, barring my own mother’s, but I’ll tell you about that another time.”
A light knock sounded on the door, and Gwen bade the servant enter. The young lass in a grey, heavy skirt came into the room, her shirt tied up right to her neck and her hair tied back in a simple knot. She looked at Kenzie with large brown eyes, taking in everything, before walking out and closing the door behind her.
“I fear you’ll be a curiosity for the next few weeks until the staff get to know ye. Ye are staying for a few weeks, are ye not?”
“I hope to if you’ll have me.”
Braxton laughed. “If we’ll have ye? Of course, we’ll have ye,” he said, finally closing the distance between them and hugging her soundly. “I can see my mama in yer eyes. ’Tis extraordinary.”
“I look like your mother?” Kenzie’s eyes smarted. “That’s so lovely to hear.”
“But ye sound slightly English for a Scottish lass. Why is that?”
Gwen ushered her to a chair, and they all sat while Gwen poured her a cup of mead.
“Mama divorced Papa; the marriage was anything but a love match. They hated each other in the end, and because Father refused to leave the estate, Mama took me to England and raised me in London. Mama is still in London, but Father passed away last year.”
Braxton made what sounded like a growl.
“Life happens, people make mistakes, but I didn’t come here to make you upset. I came to meet ye. And, I gather, from seeing a little girl race off toward the beach and a woman madly chasing after her, that was Madeline? Can I ask who the other children are?”
Gwen laughed, her eyes lighting up with the mention of her babe. “Aye, Madeline is the most precious doll. She’s almost two now, and no doubt, she’s busy with Nurse collecting shells. The other children you saw are the Nurse’s babes. She’s a widower ye see, and while caring for Madeline, she’s also able to care for and educate her own.”
“She sounds adorable, and in my time, there’s a painting that hangs in this very room, of her as a young lady. I do believe I should warn you she’s a beauty, and very much sought after, if history has any truth in it.”
Braxton growled again, and Gwen beamed. “It’s so lovely to hear that. Although, by the reaction of Braxton here, he wishes her to grow into a haggard, old woman. “You do realize, my love, that children grow up and marry their own loves. As will Madeline, and eventually, as will our Kenzie.”
Kenzie shook her head. “I’m never marrying. Ever.”
Gwen frowned. “But ye must. How will ye have children and ensure the estate stays in the family for generations to come?”
Kenzie could think of a few ways that would be possible. “That is a conversation for another day. For now, let us just enjoy each other, but there is probably one thing we must discuss before my stay here goes any further.”
“Of course, what is it, my dear?”
“What do you wish for me to call you? Somehow, I don’t believe grandmamma or grandpapa would be suitable.”
Braxton came and sat on the table, laughter in his gaze. “I think Braxton and Gwen would suit just fine, and we shall call you Kenzie. A distant relative of Gwen’s will suffice and allow the staff not to be suspicious of ye. What say you?”
“I say, yes.” Kenzie took in their features and could see a resemblance to herself in Gwen’s high cheekbones and full lips.
Gwen