Page 61 of Bride takes a Scot
Declan shouted “guards” and two men hastened inside the cottage. “Attend this woman while she packs her belongings. She is to be taken to the border of our land and left there. See it done before the sun rises.”
The soldiers took Helena’s arms even as she continued to complain. Isabella stood by the table, not sure of what to say to Declan. She understood the reasons for his hatred toward Lady MacKendrick. She didn’t like the woman much either, but still, to have her banished perhaps was a little too harsh. Yet she knew that in this instance, it wouldn’t be right to say so to her husband. They stood in silence until the soldiers passed by with Helena and the door to the cottage closed.
Declan took slow steps toward her. “How are ye? Ye should probably be abed.”
Isabella opened her arms to him when he reached her. She thought he’d be tense with ire or shaking from dealing with the horrid woman. But all Isabella sensed from him was his gentle arms holding her. Even his heart beat in a rhythmic lethargy. She kept her cheek pressed against his chest and wanted to stay that way, protected.
“I was hungry,” she said when she finally found her voice.
“Ye should return to bed, love.” He rested his head on hers and continued to hold her.
“I am well, Declan. Even my throat is returned to normal thanks to Edith’s concoction.”
Declan pressed her back, then touched her chin with his fingertips and lifted it until she looked into his eyes. “I suppose ye are hungry since ye missed last eve’s meal, the morn and mid-day meal too. Come and sit at the table. I will get ye something to eat.” Even as he offered, he refused to release her, and she continued to hold him.
Their moment alone was suddenly invaded. Edith strolled into the room, holding a tray of foodstuff on her hip. She set it on the table and smiled at them. Noah followed behind her, skipping into the room, and as soon as he saw Isabella, he rushed forward to wrap his arms around her and Declan both, as far as he could reach. Isabella returned his embrace with her closest arm and after a moment, Declan let her go with one arm and dropped it down to hold onto the lad in their three-way hug.
Anse opened the door to the cottage and marched forward. He bowed to her and then to Declan. “I am here for the meeting, Laird,” he said and snatched a roll from the basket.
“Sit first and have your supper with us.” Declan let go of them and helped Isabella sit on the closest bench. Noah scrambled to sit beside her as Declan set a trencher in front of her. “Edith, will ye bring a jug of wine to the table?” He sat down beside her as Anse dropped onto the bench on the other side of the table.
“Ye never drink wine. Is this a special occasion?” Isabella hadn’t ever seen her husband partake of wine, only mead, ale and whatever was in Anse’s flask. But she favored wine, so she was pleased to have it with her supper. She filled her trencher with the delicious-looking bread and stew and peered at the food.
“Aye, we are celebrating the completion of our home. Anse has come to report on the latest and we are going to discuss when we can move in,” Declan explained.
Isabella wondered what kind of meat was in the stew. “Is this chicken?”
Edith set a cup of wine before her. “Oh, nay, Milady. Venison. The men hunted yestereve and brought back enough meat to fill our stores for winter.”
“But it’s only late summer.” Isabella almost gagged at the scent. She hastily pushed the trencher away. Never fond of the meat, it was worse now and smelled wretched. Her stomach coiled and she couldn’t get the smell out of her nose.
Declan pulled her trencher back to her. “Ye need to eat, love.”
“I cannot stomach venison right now. I will just have bread.”
When Edith heard her, she returned to the table. “There’s leftover pottage from the midday meal. I shall get you some, Milady.” She took the trencher away and hurried from the room.
“Are we really going to live in that monstrosity?” she posed the question to Declan.
“That monstrosity is necessary for the protection of my family.”
“Da, can I go to Gran’s?” Noah asked.
Declan nodded and smiled at him. “Have Slone take ye. Ye will stay there this night and be a good lad for your gran.”
Before Noah vacated the room, he approached her. “Milady, I am glad ye wasna hurt. Next time, I will protect ye.”
His promise was sweet, but Isabella hoped with all her heart that she didn’t need saving again. She took his hand and squeezed it, tears forming in her eyes. His words made her want to bawl with happiness. “You are gallant, Noah, and I’m glad you can hear again.”
“Will ye sing to me again?”
“If it pleases you. Perhaps on the morrow, we shall spend the morning together.”
He bowed to her. “Milady, I would like that,” he said, then turned and fled.
Declan chuckled. “He has been mimicking the soldiers all day. I told him to emulate them, and he has taken it to heart.”
Isabella wanted to weep. Her heart burst with joy to see the lad speaking and hearing. She was amazed at how clear his voice sounded. It was remarkable that he hadn’t suffered any permanent damage.