Page 36 of Bride takes a Scot
“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 heshouldrest his leg.”