Page 8 of Sins of a Scot (Bound by a Highland Curse: The Morgan’s Clan Stories #7)

CHAPTER SEVEN

T he previous night had been an eye opener for Owen, and this morning, he couldn’t help but feel worried. He and Iseabail, or Lady Mackay, as he now knew her to be, had devised a story to tell his father and Eden but, as his stomach clenching with nerves, he worried Eden would see through their veil of lies.

I cannae let that happen. Iseabail has made a valid threat. If I dinnae help her, Faither will discover the lies Daire and I have told him. I cannae dae that tae Daire. He’s put himself in a dreadful position fer me sake.

After washing and dressing, he made his way to Iseabail’s room and knocked lightly on the door. Her distant voice echoed through the thick wood that separated them.

“Just a minute.”

A few seconds later, the door opened and she looked up at him nervously. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” Owen said quickly, trying to curb his nerves. “Are ye ready?”

“I am.”

“Then let’s go.”

They travelled down the corridor, Owen reminding her of Eden’s powers in a low murmur. “If she discovers anything ye say tae be a lie, our plan is ruined.”

“I ken,” Iseabail said. “Believe me. It is I who kens what is at stake here more than anyone.”

Of course she did. He had witnessed her genuine distress last night when she had spoken of her father and brother’s kidnapping. Of all the things he imagined she might say, that had not been one of them. It had been surprising enough to learn that she was a noble. But everything she said after that just seemed to get worse and worse.

After he had retired the night before, Owen’s mind had replayed the whole conversation, looking for any holes in her story, but he could find none. She was either a fantastic liar, or everything she had told him had been the truth. He had sided with the latter. It all made sense. Especially when she explained the reason she had wanted to take his necklace.

He was hardly pleased that, without having to use her powers, she had managed to trick him into helping her, and yet, he had had little choice. He had been backed into a corner with no escape, and he certainly couldn’t fight his way out of this one.

They reached the family breakfast room to discover that everyone else had already arrived. Daire glared at Owen when they entered, and he had good reason. Last night, their prisoner was still safely locked in the dungeon. Now, she accompanied Owen as though they were the closest of friends.

By the time Owen and Iseabail had finished their discussion last night, it had been too late to go and speak to Daire. Though, as Owen now considered his companion’s confusion, perhaps it might have been wise to find him earlier that morning. Now, he was going to have to sit there and wonder what the devil was going on.

Eden looked up at their entrance. “Good heavens, Owen, what happened tae ye? And… I see we have a guest.”

Realizing Eden meant the state of his now bruised eye, Owen replied, “It’s a long story. And aye, I have brought someone tae meet ye all.”

At Eden’s words, his father had looked up from buttering his bread. Upon seeing Lady Mackay, Madigan immediately stood from his chair, being the gentlemen he was. Daire quickly followed suit.

“I would like tae introduce ye all tae Lady Iseabail Mackay,” Owen announced.

He watched Daire’s eyes widen even further, but he ignored the astonishment on the man’s face and continued. “Iseabail, this is me faither, Laird Madigan Sinclair, and his wife, Lady Eden Sinclair. Me aunt, Lilidh, and Daire ye have already met.”

“It is a pleasure tae meet ye all,” Iseabail said warmly.

“And ye, me lady,” Owen’s father said. “Please,” he gestured to a seat, “will ye nae join us?”

Owen pulled her a seat from the table, and Iseabail sat down. Owen sat beside her, and only then did his father and Daire sit.

“Dae tell us, Lady Mackay,” Madigan said, “tae what dae we owe this pleasure o’ a visit?”

“Actually,” Owen cut in before Iseabail had a chance to speak, “I met Lady Iseabail last night in the tavern. Well, actually, Daire and I met her in the tavern, Didnae we, Daire?”

Daire now looked bewildered that he had been brought into the conversation, and clearly not expecting it, he nearly choked on his bread. “Aye…” he spluttered. “Aye, we did.”

“Lady Iseabail is in fact, in a little bit o’ trouble, Faither.”

“She is?” Daire asked pointedly.

If Owen’s legs were long enough, he would kick at him beneath the table, but gritting his teeth, while at the same time, pinning a smile on his lips, he only gave Daire a look.

Madigan frowned and gazed at Iseabail with concern. “Dae tell us, Lady Iseabail, what trouble are ye in?”

“Well,” Iseabail began, a slight tremor in her voice, “the fact o’ the matter is, I, er, I have been robbed,” she said, casting a glance to Owen who nodded eagerly.

“Robbed?” Madigan growled. “Good lord! Who robbed ye? What did they take?”

Owen cut in again. “When I met Lady Iseabail in the tavern, she was, well, she was…” Owen struggled to keep his story as true as possible. Whatever he said, Iseabail had to be able to agree to, or Eden would pick up her lie immediately, “nearly knocked across the room by a man.”

“That’s right,” Iseabail said, nodding fervently and grasping onto the truth as tightly as Owen.

“Is that why yer face looks as it daes?” Madigan said, gesturing to the bruising and cuts.

Owen had applied witch hazel last night, and while it had helped, it had certainly not left his face free from any tell-tale signs that he had battled with someone.

“Er, well, I did have tae fight, aye,” Owen said, casting a glance at Daire, who had now sat back in his chair with his arms across his chest, listening to their story with mock interest.

“The truth is, me laird,” Iseabail said, jumping in to save Owen from having to elaborate, “I feel a little lost. Nae lost, as in, I dinnae ken where I am, o’ course. But I wasnae expecting what happened tae me, and thus, me life has now been turned upside down.”

“Aye,” Owen jumped in, “and seeing that Lady Iseabail needed our help, I have agreed tae help her.”

Eden was looking from Owen to Iseabail and back again. Owen prayed that she wasn’t sensing their huge omissions and creative truths, but by her expression, she seemed both bemused and disturbed. He could only hope her reason for that was the fact that Iseabail had experienced a dreadful ordeal, even though they had not actually mentioned it yet.

“And what help is it that ye need, me lady?” Madigan asked again. “Whatever assistance ye need, we will surely provide.”

“I, er, well, I must journey…”

“Home,” Owen cut in quickly. “She must journey home, and given she has lost her guards, I have offered tae help her.”

“How on earth did ye lose yer guards?” Eden asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Tis a long story, me lady. I am only grateful that I met Owen. I dinnae ken what I would have done otherwise.”

“I have offered tae accompany Lady Mackay back tae… back tae,” he hesitated again, knowing that Iseabail had to follow on from whatever he was about to say.

“Well, tae the castle, really,” Iseabail said. “That is the final destination, after all.”

Owen could not help but feel impressed with the swiftness in which she picked up his struggle. She was certainly no fool, and so far, it appeared that Lady Iseabail Mackay was far cleverer than she looked.

Daire now appeared completely flabbergasted with everything the two had said so far. His eyes had darted from one to the other as they had spoken, and now, he just gawked at Owen looking utterly bewildered.

“Then I must gather some guards tae accompany ye, me lady,” Madigan said, clearly taking all this in and only seeing the distress of a helpless woman.

“Though I am grateful tae ye fer yer offer, me laird. I dinnae think it necessary. There is a possibility we may meet me own on our travels.”

Owen nearly winced at her words, for surely, there was no possibility at all of that happening. But as his mind worked quickly, he imagined that she might be thinking that the closer they got to the castle, the higher the chances were, and thus, her words were not untrue.

“In fact,” Owen added, “if that is the case, I will then return. I might nae even have tae travel all the way.”

“That’s right,” Iseabail said.

Eden still looked slightly perturbed by their story and Owen was certain she was suspicious. But by the fact that she hadn’t said anything, not in that moment at any rate, Owen could only hope they had succeeded.

“Well, we are both very sorry this has happened tae ye, Lady Iseabail,” Eden said. “Owen is a brave warrior and the best scout we have. If he cannae find yer guards, then naeone can.”

Iseabail then turned to Owen and the two shared a look. “Is that right?” she said, a slight smile growing on her lips.

Great. Now she has even more reason tae keep me close.

“Eden exaggerates,” Owen replied, trying to keep the frustration from his voice.

“Och, it’s nae like ye tae be so modest, Owen,” Eden said with a smile. “In fact, I’m surprised ye havenae bragged about yer many talents tae Lady Iseabail already.”

Madigan chuckled and shared a knowing look with his wife, while Owen could feel his face reddening.

“Well, I am eternally grateful tae ye all, both fer yer hospitality and yer help,” Iseabail said. Looking at Eden, she continued. It has been more than distressing.”

“I can only imagine,” Madigan replied.

Now the worst was over, Owen relaxed a little. They had managed to get through it, as nerve-wracking as it had been. Lady Mackay seemed like a determined woman, and he had no doubt in his mind that if things had not quite gone to plan, she would have made true on her threat to tell his father everything. He just couldn’t let that happen. But it had gone as he had hoped, and now, all he had to do was eat and leave.

The sooner the better. The longer we stay here, the more chance o’ us letting the cat out o’ the bag.

“I see that yer husband and Owen wear the same crystal necklaces, me lady,” Iseabail said. “Where they a gift from ye?”

Owen nearly choked on his tea at her question.

What is she doing? This wasnae part o’ the plan.

“They were, actually,” Eden said amicably.

“They are beautiful. May I ask, where ye found them?” Iseabail continued.

Eden looked at Iseabail for a long moment, and then replied. “I purchased them from a merchant in a village. I believe he sells his wares at the market.”

“Perhaps I may stop by there on our way. I would be delighted tae find similar pieces.”

The breakfast continued with small talk, Iseabail expertly bending the truth when Madigan asked about the wellbeing of her father and the clan in general. Eventually, Owen, worried that the longer they spent there, the more likely it was that they were going to get caught in their web of untruths, brought the conversation back to their trip, and announced that they would be leaving immediately.

“Immediately?” His father frowned. He turned his attention to Iseabail. “Would ye nae like tae rest a while with us, Lady Mackay? Ye have a long journey ahead o’ ye.”

“I am eager tae see me braither and faither again,” Iseabail replied masterfully.

“O’ course,” Madigan replied. He glanced at Eden, who nodded, and then turning back to Owen, he said, “Well, I suppose it is the right thing that ye are doing, son. Are ye certain ye dinnae want tae take another with ye. What about Daire?”

“Nay!” Owen answered far too quickly. “Nay,” he said again, a little slower and calmer. “I’m certain we will be perfectly fine. Like Lady Iseabail said, we may well find her guards on the road when we travel.”

“Very well.”

Later, in the courtyard as the horses were being readied, Daire grabbed Owen by his tunic and dragged him over to a nearby wall. Swiftly looking back and forth to ensure no one was near to hear him, he turned and glared at Owen.

“What the devil is going on? Last night this lass was a prisoner, someone ye needed tae interrogate. Now, ye are taking her home?” he balked in disbelief.

“It’s complicated,” Owen said in hushed tones. “I cannae explain it all now, I dinnae have time. Just know that everything is fine.”

“And what about our other problem?” Daire murmured, flicking a glance to Madigan.

“I cannae think about that right now. Iseabail needs me.”

Daire’s eyebrows flew to the top of his forehead. “Och, does she now? Last night ye were ready to keep her imprisoned until ye got answers. Now, she needs ye? What happened between the two o’ ye?”

“She told me the truth. Truly, it will be fine once we’ve found what we’re looking fer.”

Daire’s brow crinkled even further. “What yer looking fer?”

Owen swiped a dismissive hand. “I swear, I will tell ye all about it when I return. But fer now, we need tae leave.”

The huge man cast a suspicious glance in Iseabail’s direction. “Let me guess,” Daire snarled. “That fallacy the two o’ ye just came up with at breakfast isnae what ye’re really doing, is it?”

Owen shook his head. “Nay. It isnae.”

“And what if these men catch up with ye on yer travels?” Daire pressed.

“I highly doubt it will happen, but if it daes, then I will have tae deal with it. But they have nay notion who I am, or where tae look fer me.”

Daire shook his head. “I think ye’re lying tae yersel’ Owen. It’ll nae take them long tae discover yer identity.”

Owen shrugged in frustration. “Maybe ye’re right, but truly, I cannae worry about it. What I have tae dae now is far more pressing.”

A little while later, Owen and Iseabail left the courtyard on horses, with saddle bags packed for the journey. Owen had hugged his father tighter than usual. Only afterwards, did he wonder why. It wasn’t as though he thought he would not return, but then, with the gang of men still after him, and with the uncertainty of the journey ahead, one never really knew.

They had been riding for several hours, and already, Owen had asked the same question numerous times. Each time, Iseabail had seemed to avoid it, but this time, he was not taking no for an answer.

“So, I have agreed tae come with ye, but I didnae agree tae ye ignoring me questions. I will ask ye again. Why have ye brought me with ye? Why is it that ye need me?”

Iseabail gave him a look, and then glanced away again, but she did not speak.

She’s more stubborn than I could’ve imagined, but two can play at that game.

Grabbing the reins tighter in his hand, he pulled back on them and brought his horse to a complete standstill. Iseabail glanced over, and upon seeing him stop, gave him another look of astonishment.

“What are ye doing?” she cried, bringing her horse to a halt and turning back towards him.

“I’m nae moving another step until ye answer me question, me lady,” Owen said firmly. “Ye can choose tae ignore me and continue on yer quest alone, or ye can tell me what I wish tae ken.”

Iseabail rolled her eyes and sighed as though he was acting like some petulant child. “Fine.”

Still, she did not speak for another moment, and then her slight frustration with him only seconds before seemed to dissipate, and dropping her gaze, she looked a little coy. It made Owen immediately suspicious.

Has she brought me out here on false pretenses?

“I told ye last night that if Laird Sutherland uses the stone, it may cause him harm,” she began. “But the truth is, I dinnae ken if I am able tae even touch it without it harming me.”

Owen’s eyes widened at her words. “Ye mean it will kill ye?”

Iseabail looked a little worried, and shrugged. “Truly, I dinnae ken.”

Lifting the necklace from beneath his shirt, he said, “Maybe we could test it?”

But Iseabail shook her head. “It’s nae the same. The crystal we’re looking fer is far larger and more powerful. It wouldnae be a true test.”

“I see,” Owen said, now understanding his role a little better. “But it will bring me nay harm?”

“Dae ye have a gift?” Iseabail smiled.

“I’m a great warrior,” Owen countered with a smirk. “And a great scout. Does that count?”

“Aye, yer stepmaither relayed that at breakfast.” Iseabail said. “Something ye forgot tae mention last night.”

Owen shrugged and tried to look nonchalant. “I didnae think it was o’ any importance.”

“Aye, course nae.” She flickered her eyebrows up in disbelief. She looked at the necklace again with an almost whimsical gaze. “The fact that I have a guardian with me who cannae be affected by gifts will also be a huge benefit. We dinnae ken what we will face on our journey.”

Her words surprised him a little, and in that second, understanding how vulnerable she truly was, a realization quickly occurred to him.

She’s nae the villain I first assumed. Last night in the dungeon, I thought she was a witch and a thief. It’s now clear that she’s neither.

Owen looked up at the ominous clouds that hung above their heads. “We should get going. It looks like the heavens are going tae open at any moment.”

About a half hour later, Owen’s prediction came to fruition, and the rain teamed from the sky like water from a bucket. They ploughed on across the glens, but the rain was so heavy, it was foolish to continue.

“We need tae find shelter,” Owen yelled. “Look, over there.” He pointed through the trees to a small, abandoned cottage.

Iseabail nodded eagerly, strands of her hair stuck to her face beneath her hood. “Alright,” she called back.

The cottage was indeed, abandoned, and once inside, Owen came to the conclusion that no one had lived there for many years. Old bits of furniture lay about; a few chairs, and a small table, nothing that would bring them any comfort. He discovered the remains of a wooden bed in a room at the back of the house, but with struts missing, no mattress, and the wood so rotten it fell apart as soon as he touched it, he doubted it would even be of any use as firewood.

Gathering scraps of other wood from around the cottage, he eventually managed to light a fire in the small hearth in the living area. Iseabail had already collected the saddle bags from the horses and, placing the items on the small table, she was trying to gather something for them to eat.

“Come and stand here near the fire,” he said. “Ye’re soaked through.”

She turned and looked at him. “As are ye,” she said, nodding tae his clothes.

“Aye,” he smirked, “it’s called rain.”

Once more, she rolled her eyes, but leaving what she was doing, she moved over to the small fire and held out her hands to warm them.

“I didnae find anywhere tae sleep, so we’ll have tae bed down in here.”

“Both o’ us?” Iseabail exclaimed.

He smiled down at her. “Well, if ye think I’m sleeping in a freezing cold room and leaving ye in here tae hog the fire, ye’ve got another thing coming.”