Page 35 of Bride takes a Scot

Rolly answered and swung the door open wide when he saw him. “Laird, come in.” He hastened to the table and cleared a chair for him.

Declan was gladdened because his leg twinged. “Rolly, I have not seen you in a while. Everything going well for the season planting?”

“Oh, aye, Laird. The extra coin helped, and the farmers are diligent at their tasks. Crops should be springing forth soon and be plentiful by harvest time. Our wool trade will bring us more coin than the last two years combined, what with the extra sheep we purchased. What brings ye by?” Rolly set a cup of ale before him and took a seat at the small table.

Declan was gladdened to hear that because he’d instructed Rolly to purchase the extra sheep when he’d returned from Edinburgh. During his recovery from being imprisoned, he was able to meet with the farmers and give them the necessary coins to purchase seed. The coins he’d set aside to pay tax to his king would ensure their livelihood for at least two winters.

“I want to have an ornate domed coffer made for my wife as a gift for her. Will you meet with the carpenter and have him create it as soon as possible?”

“Certainly, Laird. I shall see to it before the day’s end.”

Declan explained what he wanted and after he’d finished his drink, he left Rolly’s cottage. The coffer, along with the other surprises he had in store for his wife. would go a long way to showing her that he valued her. Then Declan scoffed at himselfbecause he more than valued her, he just wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

Now, he wanted to see Isabella and find out what had bothered her the day before. Certain that she was saddened, he hoped to find out what troubled her. That, and to give her a wee kiss. Or more.

Chapter Twelve

Isabella rummaged throughher 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 withMarian 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.