Page 52 of My Brave Highlander

"'Tis a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Jessie," Isobel said with a curtsy. "And 'tis a shame we haven't met before now."

Someone called Dirk's name and he strode across the great hall, leaving the women alone.

"Indeed. My father would never take me to Dornie when he took my stepmother to see your mother," Jessie said. "And I fostered with the Keiths for seven years. Come, I will show you to your chamber."

They chatted as they climbed the narrow stone stairwell to the second floor and moved down a long corridor, Beitris following. A door led to a tiny room containing a bed covered in a generous layer of multicolored plaid blankets. A couple of straight-backed chairs flanked the hearth where a fire burned. What appeared to be an abundantly padded pallet lay before it, with more blankets. A narrow window, not much wider than an arrow slit, occupied the back stone wall. Isobel found the room to be quaint and cozy.

"This is a wee room but 'tis one of the warmest in winter," Jessie said. "And it has always been a favorite of mine."

"I thank you. 'Tis lovely," Isobel said.

"I help Aiden manage the household staff as I did for my father before his death."

"That's generous of you to help your family so much."

Jessie shrugged. "My stepmother has never enjoyed staying here. For a certainty, I don't enjoy living with her. So 'tis a pleasant arrangement."

Isobel nodded, wondering whether Jessie had been married, or if she planned to marry eventually, but Isobel always hated it when someone asked her about her marital status. "You don't get on well with your stepmother?" Isobel asked instead.

"Nay. And she knows I don't care to be in her company."

Did Jessie know her stepmother had tried to kill Dirk? Or was this a secret he was keeping from her? Isobel would have to discuss it with him before she talked too much. She had never liked gossiping.

"Although she and my mother were friends, I'm starting to think my mother didn't know her very well," Isobel said.

"Aye, likely not. And it irks me to no end that Haldane has gone to fetch her. Maybe she'll freeze into a block of ice before she reaches Durness."

Isobel barely contained the snort of laughter that almost burst out. 'Twas obvious Jessie disliked her stepmother almost as much as Dirk did, yet she was far more candid about it.

"Did you know Dirk was alive all these years?" Isobel asked.

"Nay. It was a complete and wonderful surprise to me! You can't imagine how happy I am to see him again. We were close as wee bairns, probably because our mother died." Jessie shook her head, her eyes taking on a forlorn look. "Well, I know you must be exhausted from all the travel. I'll leave you to rest for a few hours. Supper will be at eight."

"I look forward to it."

With a smile, Jessie exited.

Isobel pulled aside the heavy wool draping the narrow window. Beyond the wavy glass, there was no view to speak of. Just a section of the castle wall and gray clouds moving briskly over the sky. At least they could get a bit of light during the daytime.

She allowed the cloth to drop over the window again and turned to the room where Beitris was attempting to coax more heat from the fire.

How long would she have to stay here? Had she made a mistake by traveling north instead of south? Given the harsh wind and weather, she might have to stay here until spring.

Without doubt, the MacLeods and the MacKenzies would search for her. If she didn't turn up soon, they'd likely think she and Beitris were dead. In one way, Isobel liked the idea they would make such an erroneous assumption. It would mean freedom instead of being forced to marry whichever man her brother ordered her to. Of course, Cyrus and all her brothers would be grief-stricken if they thought her dead. She didn't wish to hurt them, but she would love more independence.

If they found her here, there would be trouble.

Still, she wanted to stay long enough to be sure Dirk was safe from his stepmother and his youngest half-brother.

A few hours later, after Isobel had napped and bathed, a young maid appeared in the doorway. "'Tis time for supper, m'lady. Master MacKay asked that you be seated at high table with him, Laird MacKay and Laird Rebbinglen."

Isobel nodded, eager to leave the small confines of this room.

When she entered the great hall, all manner of servants and clan members bustled about the four long tables that filled most of the room. She approached the high table on a dais near the fireplace, where Dirk, his brother and Rebbie sat along with a few older clansmen.

Her heart leapt into her throat when her gaze met Dirk's. Why did he cause such turmoil within her? He stood and pulled out a chair for her between himself and Rebbie. He was such a gentleman and always made her feel special. Still, she felt odd being the only woman at the high table. Why was Jessie not sitting here?

"I thank you."