Page 12 of Bride takes a Scot (Highland Vows & Vengeance #1)

I sabella rummaged through her satchel and couldn’t find her supper dagger. She remembered putting it in there before she left for the king’s castle. It was her favorite dagger and had an ivory hilt. She was saddened to lose it. Her brother had given it to her, and she cherished it.

While she was in the bedchamber, she folded her shawl and put it with her belongings. The day had warmed, and she didn’t need it. Her things had been moved but nothing was missing. Declan must have moved her garments to get inside his trunk.

She had expected to see Declan still slumbering because henbane was potent and often put one to sleep for days, but he’d risen and had left their chamber. With haste, she tidied up the room and rounded the side of the massive bed. As she reached for the corner of the bedcovering, she noticed a MacKendrick tartan she assumed was Declan’s, rumpled in the center. Isabella leaned forward and grabbed it. There was something inside. With a flick of her wrist, she fanned it out and gasped. A bloodied dead rat with her supper dagger sticking in it had been wrapped inside the tartan.

She backed up and almost screamed with fright at seeing the ghastly rat. Who would do such a thing? Someone was pulling a jest on her, she suspected, and her suspicions led her to one of Declan’s family members. Isabella grabbed the handle of the dagger she so loved, carefully carried the carcass to the window, and flung it through the opening. The tartan was too soiled, so she rolled it into a ball to be discarded. More importantly, the dagger her brother had given her was soiled forever now; she’d never be able to use it again without thinking of this moment. She saddened at that.

After such a horrid sight, Isabella needed air. She left the cottage and walked toward Declan’s gran’s home. Noah had to be awake by now and she hoped to spend time with him. On her walk, she saw some of the clan’s women and rushed past them. Isabella kept her head down and couldn’t bring herself to offer a greeting. Fortunately, she hadn’t eaten much morning fare. If she had, she might well be retching by the nearest bush. Her stomach continued to convulse. She couldn’t shake the sense of fear that such a loathsome trick brought to her.

At Marian’s cottage, she knocked and waited for the door to open. Marian greeted her with an unexpected smile, and that—for a moment, anyway—cleared the clouds of concern from Isabella’s mind. “Good morn, Milady. I was wondering when you were going to come by.”

Isabella bowed to her. “Please, Marian, I thought we said we wouldn’t be formal. Call me Isabella. Is Noah within?”

“Oh, nay, that lad finished his morning fare and sprinted outside early this morn. I have not seen him since. ’Tis such a bonny day. I imagine most are doing their chores outdoors.”

She nodded as she stood by the door. “Indeed, it is warm. Is there anything you need of me this morning? Do you have clothing to launder or perhaps you wish me to put on your supper?”

Marian smiled. “Ye are a kind lass to offer, but nay. Helena had a servant stop by this morn and she took our laundry. As to supper, ’tis too warm for anything hot. Mayhap we shall have some cut-up vegetables and I’ll cut up a bit of the chicken left from yesterday’s supper.”

“That sounds good. Would you mind if I joined you?”

“Ye are welcome. I am going to take a mid-morn nap. These old bones tire easily these days. I shall take to my sewing later after my rest.” Marian motioned her to the door.

Isabella hesitated. She didn’t want to appear hasty to leave, especially since Marian appeared to be friendly this morning. “If you wish, I’ll be happy to help. My mother insisted I learn to sew, and I can do fine embroidery too.”

“Oh, nay, ’tis only mending I need to tend to.”

“Enjoy your rest then. I will go in search of Noah.” Isabella closed the door behind her and peered about the lane. Noah was nowhere in sight.

She hurried along the lane and near the wall, she spotted him. He was trying to throw rocks over it. The poor lad was bored. Isabella had thought of a wonderful surprise for him, however, and would see to it later that day. So that she didn’t startle him, she approached from the side and smiled as she stepped in front of him so he could see her face and her mouth move when she spoke to him. “Can I join you?”

Noah nodded and handed her a stone. Isabella laughed when she threw the rock up high to try to get it over the tall stone wall. She missed the crest but not by much. Noah tried again and it hit the top, but the stone fell back down to the ground. She laughed and he smiled. They continued tossing the rocks and eventually, Isabella’s rock flew over the pinnacle and disappeared. Noah jumped and raised his hand in celebration. She hugged him and if their antics were noticed by the clan’s people standing nearby, they likely thought they were being silly.

“Milady,” someone called.

She turned hastily and found Silas standing behind her. Isabella hadn’t noticed his approach. All her good spirits from playing with Noah and from her encouraging encounter with Marian vanished as quickly as if they’d never been there at all. She bowed her head and bid him a good day.

“What are ye and the dour-faced lad up to?”

“Why must you be so mean?” Isabella frowned at him. For as handsome as he appeared, he was quite the opposite in his manner. Noah was just a child, and it wasn’t his fault he couldn’t hear or speak. Even though Noah was deaf didn’t mean he was a simpleton as Silas would have everyone believe.

“I apologize, Milady, forgive my brashness. Can we not be allies? ’Tis my fondest wish.”

Isabella stared at him with skepticism. He was the last person she wanted to befriend but it occurred to her that this was only because he was mean-hearted toward Noah. “We shall see.” She took Noah’s hand. “Come.” With quick steps, she hastened away.

Silas was by no means what she would consider a friendly sort nor did she want to have him as a friend. Isabella had forgotten to talk to Declan about him. If she saw her husband this day, she would remember to broach the subject.

They walked toward Marian’s cottage. There, she opened the door for Noah. Kneeling, she looked him in the eyes and held his chin. “Go inside and rest. I will come for you soon.”

He nodded in understanding and walked away from her. Isabella closed the door and hoped he obeyed and stayed put. While he was taking a respite in the afternoon, she thought she’d tend to his surprise. But she’d need Anse’s help for that, so she walked along the lane, searching for him. Finally, she saw him talking to a soldier and hesitantly walked toward him. It didn’t appear that Anse was reproaching the soldier but speaking confidently to him. She hoped she wasn’t interrupting an important discussion.

Anse saw her and ceased his speech with the soldier. “Milady, good day.”

“Anse, I was hoping… Ah, I apologize if I interrupted something important.”

“Nay, not at all. This is Slone, second-in-command of the MacKendrick soldiers.”

“Milady,” Slone said. “Pleased to meet ye.”

She was in awe of the sheer size of the man. He appeared taller than Declan and just as muscular. But Slone had kindness in his eyes and the way his dark wavy hair fell over his forehead lent him a charming look. Another handsome Highlander. Isabella was appalled that she’d misjudged them before she had arrived in the north.

“What can we do for ye, Milady?”

Isabella smiled. “I am pleased to meet you, Slone. I want to make a swing for Noah by the loch. There is a perfect tree branch for it, but I fear that I cannot climb high enough to tie the rope. Would you have a few moments to help me?”

The men bobbed their heads. Anse walked beside her. “I have the perfect rope for your project, Milady. Slone, go and fetch it. It is under my bunk in the barracks, and hasten to the loch so we can help Milady.”

“We will need a flat piece of wood and an awl to make holes in it to attach the rope,” she explained.

“Och, why do we not stop by the carpenter’s shack? He always has leftover pieces of wood and such. He can make the holes in the wood for you.”

Anse quieted on the remainder of their walk. When they reached the building place where the men had set up their work area in erecting the large fortification, he stopped and gazed at the objects strewn about. Finally, he seemed to spot what he sought and went to get it near a corner of the building, returning only moments later.

“Will this do?” Anse held out a piece of wood that appeared a perfectly sized seat for a child or maybe even a small adult.

“It is perfect,” she said and waved to one of the workmen. He approached and bowed to her and Anse.

“James, can you make two holes on the ends of this board for me?” Anse asked. “Make sure they are evenly placed.”

The workman set off and they waited for him to return.

“Have ye seen the laird this day?” Anse asked her.

“I haven’t but I left the bedchamber before he awakened. When I returned later, he was gone. I suppose he is about here somewhere unless…”

“Unless what, Milady?”

“Perhaps he has left the holding again. I don’t expect he would tell me that.” Lord, she sounded pitiful. Isabella put a smile on her face and explained, “I meant that I am sure Declan has much responsibility to see to, and I am just his wife. Why would he tell me where he is going?”

“Just his wife,” Anse said low. “Declan has not had to account for his whereabouts to anyone in years. Give him time to adjust. He will remember his manners eventually.”

Isabella laughed and felt it in her stomach. “Really? You jest, Anse. I doubt very much he’ll remember me when he has other pressing matters. It is just his way, and I don’t expect him to seek me out to tell me where he is going.”

“Most wives would expect so.”

She shook her head. “I wish he would, but I don’t expect it. Oh, here comes James.”

The carpenter returned and handed the piece of wood to Anse. He thanked him and they started toward the loch.

Isabella wondered if Declan had left the holding and asked Anse, “Well then…have you seen Declan this day, or did he leave again? I’m not complaining, mind you, but he should rest his leg.”

Anse slowed his pace. “Aye, I saw him earlier at the training field. You patched him up well, Milady, for he barely limped. I thought he would be laid up for a time. Och, he went off with his brother Claude and then he said something about meeting with Silas.”

“I had hoped to inspect the wound this day to ensure it was properly healing.” Isabella wondered if she could trust Anse. He had been kind to her since she arrived, and she thought her husband trusted him too since Anse was in command when Declan was away from the holding. She had to talk to someone about the mysterious “gift” left on her bed. It might as well be Anse. Isabella stopped walking and turned to him.

Anse stopped and frowned at her. “What is it?”

“I don’t want to burden you with this, but I need to tell someone, and Declan is never around…” She delayed in speaking the words. Would Anse believe her? She took a deep breath and stared at the ground, too shy to let him see the emotions she knew would cover her face like a mask. “When I was tidying up my…our… the bedchamber this morn, I found my—my supper dagger…sticking in a dead rat that had been wrapped in a tartan and left in the middle of my— our… bed this morn. It frightened me. I think someone was just trying to scare me or perhaps, they’re jesting.”

“Ye what ?” Anse bellowed as his frown turned into a fierce scowl and his brows slanted, furrowing his forehead. Isabella gasped and took a step back from the large, terrifyingly furious warrior. He blinked and appeared to duck his head, shrinking slightly in her gaze. He touched his forehead and his expression turned sheepish. “I do apologize, Milady, because I did not mean to shout.”

She found herself unable to speak. These Highland men were frightening when something riled them. She took a deep breath. “It was a rat,” she said in a small voice, in case he hadn’t understood her. He held up his hand, wide palm out, to signify she need not say more.

“I heard ye, Milady. But my concern is—why would someone do that? Ye should tell Declan about it. He will want to know. That is not a jest, and ye are the laird’s wife. No one in our clan would—or should—ever disrespect ye in such a way. I vow someone means to do ye harm.”

She nodded and bit her lip. Who? And why? But Anse was right. She needed to tell her husband. “Very well, I will tell him when next I see him. I want to doubt, though, that anyone intends to hurt me. They just mean to scare me. But I am not that easily frightened.” She shrugged. “I must admit, it was rather startling though.”

He nodded. “Aye, I have no doubt. I will keep my eyes open for this miscreant. It had to be someone who could easily and readily enter your chamber. So, I’ll keep my ears open too, for any gossip. Whoever left that message for ye is vile.”

“Do you deem it is a message? Why would someone leave such a message, and what do you think it means?”

Anse shrugged. “Hell if I know. Only the foulest of men—or women—would leave a bloodied rat in a tartan on your bed. Ye best tell Declan about it as soon as ye see him. Promise me ye will. He’ll want to protect ye.”

“Very well, I promise.” She nodded but dismissed his overreaction. Probably, she thought, it was just one of Declan’s siblings trying to frighten her. They didn’t like her, and his order that they be nice to her likely caused this reaction. It made sense, the more she considered the idea.

They reached the loch and found Slone waiting for them. Anse and Slone had the swing set up within a moment. How happy it would make Noah. Isabella couldn’t wait to show him. She remembered fondly the swing her father had erected for her and her brother when they were young. They had spent many happy days on it.

After the men tied the swing on the thick branch, Anse grinned. “I think we should test this out, aye, Slone? We do not want the lad to fall off and hurt himself.” He sat on the swing and pushed himself until he was flying in the air, grinning like a lad he must have been, bent on trouble instead of battles.

Slone scowled. “’Tis my turn.” He stopped Anse from swinging and shoved him off. Anse fell back and landed on the ground.

Slone sat on the swing and shouted as he went higher and higher. Anse stood by, dejected at not having another turn until finally he forced Slone to stop.

Isabella smirked at them and giggled. “Talk about men behaving as boys. I shall see you later. Enjoy the swing for now. I will bring Noah here on the morrow. I am certain no one will get a turn once he gets on it.” She left them and walked back toward the keep. With a quick wave, she passed by the gate and continued walking until she came to the chapel. She hadn’t yet spent any time inside and wanted to take a moment to pray.

Lady MacKendrick stopped her from entering the chapel. “Oh, there ye be, Isabella. Some things need tending to in the cottage. I left you a pile of mending, and there is a bucket full of spoons and cups that need washing when ye get around to it. Preferably before the evening meal.”

Isabella hoped her disdain didn’t show on her face. Her impatience with the lady was becoming as worn as an old piece of thread. She’d done nothing but offer kindness to her, and yet Helena continued to be difficult. Obviously, she didn’t care that Declan asked her to be nicer to her. Helena was plain rude and an unpleasant person to be around.

“I’ll see to it as soon as I finish my prayers.” She moved past the woman to make her way into the chapel, but she stopped her.

“Has Declan told ye how he came to be at the king’s castle when the king demanded he take a wife?” Lady MacKendrick peered at her with a smug look on her face.

“I don’t recall him telling me about it, but I suppose you’re going to tell me?”

“Oh, aye. He was accused of murdering his father-in-law, Laird Campbell, and was jailed for it in the king’s dungeons. Declan was pardoned when the king was searching for husbands for the border lasses. Yet he got saddled with ye, poor man, but that is the punishment he gets for killing a helpless aged man such as Allan Campbell.”

Isabella disbelieved her. Lady MacKendrick had to be lying. Surely Declan would have told her if he was accused of murder and that he’d been imprisoned. That he had been charged with murdering his father-in-law made the lie even more unbelievable. Declan wouldn’t hurt someone close to him, or someone aged. He was far too noble to do something so heinous. But Isabella felt the ire burn her cheeks. She was irate that he hadn’t told her and that she had to hear it from the wretched woman. She had thought he’d shared all his past with her, but apparently, he’d only shared with her the things he couldn’t hide, like his son, and the story of his deceased wife. What else was he hiding from her? And why?

“Your silence tells me that ye are affronted. Ye see, lass, some men are brutal like Declan, men who take the law into their own hands. Ye would be better off keeping your distance from him.” Lady MacKendrick didn’t wait for her acknowledgment but strode off.

Isabella shook off the conversation with her stepmother-in-law as she entered the chapel. Now was time to spend with God, not wallow in her dislike for Helena or worry over her husband’s duplicity. She could do that later.

The building was sizeable and made of stone. Isabella was surprised Declan had the chapel built before he had his men erect the enormous fortification they’d live in. Lord, she prayed for a delay but then she realized perhaps when it was finished that it wouldn’t be so bad. If only his stepmother stayed at the cottage or moved to England or perhaps some other far-off place. Isabella snorted a laugh at the thought of her moving to England. It was far enough away that she’d never have to deal with the harridan.

Her footsteps echoed on the flat stone slabs that led to the altar. When she reached the dais, she smiled at the wooden cross that took up most of the wall in front of her. Isabella knelt and bowed her head. But as she began to pray, she heard someone clear their throat. With a gasp, she turned and found a man standing beside her. She hadn’t expected to see anyone there and didn’t know they had a clergyman in residence.

“Good day,” he said politely.

She rose. “Good day.”

“Are ye the laird’s wife, Lady Isabella? I am Friar Faelan, newly come to the MacKendrick clan. His lairdship has asked me to oversee the souls of his clan’s men and women.”

Another thing her absent-minded husband forgot to tell her about. Why hadn’t Declan told her that a friar would serve them? It was of little matter, at least for now. Isabella bowed to the man and smiled as she took in the friar, a thin man garbed in a black robe belted by a rope at his waist as was traditional for the garb of a cleric. The length of his brown hair was tapered to his head.

Most of all, she noticed that he had a kind face and blue eyes that showed affection. “It is nice to meet you, Friar Faelan, welcome. I am glad you are here for I often spent time in the chapel where I was raised.”

“Are ye devout, Milady?”

She nodded. “I am and pray every day. Will you be performing Mass and Confession?”

“If ye would like me to.”

“I’m sure Declan would like that too. Might I make my confession now?”

Friar Faelan waved her onward. “I will sit here with my back to ye and ye can make your confession.”

Isabella sat then with her back to him. “I fear, Friar, that I have impure thoughts all the time, especially about my husband.”

“Oh, Milady, it is good that ye are attracted to your husband, and I am sure our good Lord would not condone such thoughts.”

“I am trying to be a good wife, but honestly, Declan makes it difficult.”

Friar Faelan cleared his throat. “Why…ah, how does your husband make it difficult?”

“He is guarded and tells me little about himself or his life. I did not even know he was previously married and had a child until I was here for two whole days. Then there is suspicion about him…Well, I cannot speak of it. He won’t tell me what bothers him or what he expects from me. In truth, I am not sure what to do with myself or how to be his wife.” She couldn’t stop herself from sighing aloud.

“I see. Well, were ye trained on the tasks of being a wife?”

“I was. My mother was thorough and ensured I was taught every aspect of being a wife and lady to a keep. My husband’s stepmother is also making it difficult, so I try to stay out of her way when I wish to speak foul words to her. She has said the most atrocious things about him…” Isabella realized suddenly that she was gossiping. Surely the Lord wouldn’t be pleased. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t speak so of her, but…” she paused, and then admitted, “I’m not happy. It’s difficult here. As much as I try to fit in, I feel as though I never will.”

Friar Faelan shifted behind her, then answered with a gentle tone, “Ye will find your way, Milady. Given time, ye will feel more at home. Ye should not listen to suspicions about your husband from others. Instead, seek him out and ask him yourself if what is being said is the truth. Prayer will help settle your spirit and now I am here whenever ye need to speak about your troubles.”

“I appreciate that, Friar. I just wish my husband wanted me for his wife. He seems to enjoy being with me at night when… ah, when we are alone.” As if she’d conjured him with her confessions, Declan suddenly appeared in the open door of the chapel, a dark silhouette against the daylight. “Oh,” she whispered, “He is here.”

Friar Faelan rose and peered at the entrance where Declan stood. He made the sign of the cross before her. “I absolve you from your sins, Milady. Say a good Act of Contrition and pray to the Blessed Mother for wisdom. She understands your concerns. And come again soon. Shall we go and greet your husband?”

She dipped her chin, then got up and walked toward him. Before she reached him, she took a deep breath to try to rid her ire. But she was more than angry with Declan, and sooner or later he was going to have to confess to her the deceit he was hiding. “Good day, Declan. Are you here to see the friar to confess your sins as well, perhaps?”

He stared at her and didn’t speak. Claude stood next to him and gave him a shove with his elbow. Declan took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Nay, wife. We did not mean to interrupt your confession with the friar…”

“Oh, you didn’t. We were finished. I shall leave you to speak with him.” Isabella didn’t wait for his farewell and hurried through the exit. On her way back to the cottage, she smiled to herself because she hadn’t known Declan was pious. With God’s help, his sins would be forgiven. At least, she hoped that happened. She also hoped that God would help her win his heart. But then she shook her head. She didn’t want him to love her because love was for fools. Isabella only wanted him to want her, to be treated with care as his wife.

With a scoff, she realized with a heavy heart that she was telling herself a falsehood. She wanted far more from him than she was willing to admit—his heart.