Page 33 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

Isolde waited and watched until the last man was over the drawbridge. Only when the iron portcullis closed behind the enemy did she finally lower her bloodied sword. The battle was over.

Gwendolyn and Rowena entered the courtyard with Fiona and Emlyn following behind. Isolde drew an easier breath knowing the women and the young girl were unharmed. The English had not succeeded with their plan to force Alastair and all of the MacLeods to stand with the English against their countrymen.

“Are you well?” Gwendolyn asked when she reached Isolde’s side. Slowly, the tension that had driven her during the battle drained away, leaving only exhaustion and pain.

“We must see to the wounded and bury the dead,” Isolde said.

Gwendolyn stayed her with a touch to her arm. “You have done enough for us this day. I insist you go inside and let us take care of you now.”

“She’ll need a bath and a new dress,” Fiona stated with a sympathetic look at her soiled clothing. “And no doubt a visit from Lottie to resew the wound at your arm. It appears to have reopened while you were fighting.”

Isolde looked down at her arm to see blood dripping from the bottom part of her partially healed wound. She had pushed herself to the limits today but had ultimately overcome the enemy with the help of the castle guards and the mysterious woman who had appeared on the tower. Could she have had something to do with opening the gates? What was it the Grey Lady had said? ‘Someone will unknowingly betray the clan.’ Or was the woman with the white hair an image Isolde had conjured up in a time of great need? She should keep her suspicions to herself until she could prove the woman had been real.

“Isolde? Are you all right?” Isolde’s thoughts were broken by Gwendolyn touching her arm.

“I’m well enough,” Isolde replied, bringing her thoughts back to the moment. “My wound is nothing when compared to the injuries others have no doubt sustained. Lottie must care for them first.”

Gwendolyn shook her head. “Nay. I insist you let us care for you first. If not for you, those men who entered the castle would have reached me and the outcome of this battle would be entirely different.”

“Agreed.” Rowena’s gaze said she would not take no for an answer either. “Once you and the injured are seen to, I will also try to determine who opened the castle gates.”

Gwendolyn’s face paled. “I fear we have yet another traitor amongst us.”

Rowena offered Gwendolyn a sympathetic look. “We’ll find them. We always do.”

Oblivious to the seriousness of the conversation going on around her, Emlyn bent to retrieve the sgian-dubh Isolde had dropped and held it out before her. “I want to be a warrior just like you.” The young girl did her best to imitate Isolde, swinging her sword in front of her.

Isolde looked about her and moved to pick up a small stick that would have been the size of a small sword. She took her blade from the girl’s hands and offered her the stick. “You should practise with this first until I can make you a proper wooden sword.”

“You’ll make me a sword?” Emlyn swung her makeshift weapon left then right, demonstrating her skill. “I want to protect people like you do.”

Isolde couldn’t help but smile. The girl reminded her of herself at that age. “I will agree to letting Lottie sew my arm, a bath, and new garments.” Her gaze swung to Rowena and the interesting clothing she wore. “Are those breeches you are wearing or armour?”

Rowena smiled. “A little of both. This outfit was made for one of our ancestors for battling our enemies. I’ve decided to put it to use again.” Growing more serious, she added, “It’s imbued with fairy magic to help protect the one wearing it.”

Isolde’s eyes went wide. “Perhaps you should have more made for all the MacLeods.”

“That is not a poor idea,” Rowena said quirking her brow. “I’ll have to talk to Mother about that.”

“Could I make a request about those new garments?” Isolde hesitated, then said, “Could I ask for a tunic and a pair of breeches for myself?”

“After what you did to save us,” Gwendolyn replied, “we will give you whatever you desire.”

Isolde instantly sobered. No one could give her what she truly wanted. Not now that Lieutenant Collins knew where she was and that she still lived. Nowhere and no one in Scotland would be safe around her. For while she’d managed to get the Englishman to declare he wouldn’t harm the MacLeods; she’d forced no such promise upon him for herself.

As soon as Lottie sewed her arm, after she bathed and changed, then made a wooden sword for Emlyn, she would leave.

*

Aria waited in the bedchamber where she’d been hiding, waiting for silence to settle over the castle, wrestling with her own demons. What had she done to the MacLeods today by opening the gates? She had wanted to see how the strong and independent women she’d watched for days would respond to a male visitor. Aria had had no idea that man in the red uniform was their enemy.

As soon as conflict had broken out, Aria had grabbed her bow and quiver and raced to the tower to help. Now all that exertion had taken its toll. She was hungry. Nay, she was famished. She usually waited until the family was in the great hall during a meal or in bed for the night to walk the halls, exploring. Her growling stomach objected to that idea.

Once it was quiet, she would sneak down to the kitchen and help herself to whatever she could find. After her hunger settled, she would determine what to do next. The woman they called Izzy had seen her on the tower. Aria’s presence was no longer a secret. It would be best if she presented herself and her offer sooner rather than later. Perhaps when the MacLeod men returned.

A bedchamber door closed farther down the hallway. Aria silently opened the door and peered out to see Gwendolyn and Rowena heading for the staircase. She closed the door and turned back to the chamber. Only a few moments more and she could search for food.

The bedchamber she’d been hiding in had a layer of dust on every surface, as though it hadn’t been used in a very long time. White sheets had covered the furnishings when she’d first entered the chamber. She had since stripped them from the bed and a chest of drawers so that she could use them.