Page 51 of The Lion

She turned in his arms and he kissed her. How she loved the feel of his arms, of his body against hers, and the smell of him. “So ye do think they are ugly then.”

The sound of his laugh rumbled, and she gave him a playful swat. “I am going to have new ones made and ye are to pay for them.”

“Do as ye wish,” he said and then pulled her behind when someone knocked.

Stuart, a guard, and another man entered.

“Apologies,” his brother said seeming to have forgotten Darach would not be in the room alone. “I should have announced myself.”

“Aye, ye should have. Await me in the corridor,” Darach growled. “Go now!”

The men shuffled out.

“It must be something very important,” Isobel said to his broad back.

Turning to her, he smiled down. “I am not sure they didn’t do it on purpose hoping to get a glimpse of ye.”

“That I doubt,” Isobel said, enjoying the compliment.

When left alone, Isobel went to the door and cracked it just a bit to hear what the men spoke about.

“He’s gone,” Stuart said. “Someone came and let him out when Seamus took his leave to relieve himself. Whoever it was must have kept vigil.”

“I accept all responsibility and expect to be punished for it,” a man said, his voice trembling. “I cannot believe to have failed ye so soon, my laird.”

Someone else, probably the guard spoke next. “It has to be someone he paid off. I will begin an inquiry.”

“Do it,” replied Darach quickly. “Seamus go with him and question every servant and guard who was in the house last night. Ensure each of them gives ye any details of what they may have seen or heard.”

After that, the group walked away.

Isobel hurried to dress. If there was a present danger, she had to ensure Beatrice was safe from harm.

After not finding Beatrice in her bedchamber, Isobel scurried down the corridor.

Her hair still down and probably a tussled mess, she stormed into the sitting room where she found Beatrice and Lady Ross drinking tea.

“Goodness, ye look as if ye were dragged behind a cart,” Beatrice exclaimed with a snicker. “Is something amiss?”

Isobel shrugged. “I am not sure. Stuart and two men came to fetch Darach. They were talking about someone escaping. I wanted to be sure ye were out of harm’s way.”

“Ah yes,” Lady Mariel said. “Cairn, the traitorous snake. He must have gotten away. I do not believe him to be harmful. His sharpest weapon is that poisonous tongue of his.”

“What did he do?” Isobel asked sitting down and began running her fingers through her hair.

“I am not sure. After noting he’s been absent, Stuart informed me that he’d be thrown in the dungeon for plotting against our family.”

“Goodness,” both Beatrice and Isobel stated in unison.

“Let me help ye,” Beatrice pulled a small comb from her pocket and began untangling Isobel’s hair. “We cannot have ye going down to first meal looking like this. Honestly Isobel, ye must do something about yer clothing.”

Lady Mariel laughed. “I will send for a seamstress from the village to come. She is very quick and quite talented.”

“Thank ye,” Isobel replied. “However, on the days when I plan to go for walks, I will be wearing my serviceable gowns.”

Despite herself, she became excited at the thought of new more colorful dresses. Isobel let out a sigh. “Lady Mariel, I find myself growing quite close to Darach. Is it normal? I am fearful of when the fortnight ends and how it will change our relationship.”

“I do not think things will change between ye and my son. He is a very loyal man. Believe what he tells ye. Darach is a man of his word. It will be different of course as time passes. He has many duties to see to, and ye will be busy with yer own.”