Page 80 of The Hawk Laird

“It is an excellent sanctuary.”.

“I spent years inside a castle, seeing little of the world outside. I thought I was protected, but it was false. A prison. Here I feel safe. Free.” She glanced at him. “I want to stay here with you.”

He was quiet, then sighed. “You have a gift, Isobel. Your words should be heard by many, though some might use you for that gift. So your father did what he could to keep you safe. The marriage he arranged with Leslie is intended to continue that protection. Consider that.”

“What are you saying?”

He stared outward and did not meet her gaze. “I cannot give you what you need. Safekeeping, and a true home. You deserve a walled castle, a rose garden. A place to raise children in peace and plenty, a place where you can use your ability to benefit others. That is important for you.”

“Love is important to me. Freedom is important to me.Youare important to me.”

“Your gift is rare. It is significant. If you shut yourself away with a man who hides from the world, your visions will not be known.” He shook his head. “A homeless outlaw cannot guard such a treasure. A lord who commands a stout castle and has the might of England on his side—he can.”

“I thought you regretted sending me to Sir Ralph.” She could not keep the tremor from her voice.

“I do regret it. But I want you to go.”

She scowled. “You want Janet.”

“Och, now,” he murmured. “You know the truth of that.” He glanced at her, then away. “My lass, if you stayed here, we would always be hunted. You might never have peace, plenty, or a home.”

“This is a home. Here,” she insisted. “I—I could not bear to be Sir Ralph’s wife. Not now.” She reached out, took his hand, felt his grip hard over hers. “And he would make sure that I make prophecies for King Edward. For the English.”

“Then say them well. You will have all you ever need or want.”

“All I want!” Fear and anger flared. She released his hand. “All I want is you!”

“And all I want,” he said sternly, “is your safety. I have thought long about this. It is the only way to save you, and your gift.”

“And Janet.”

He was silent. The hawk kakked, shifted, stirred his wings.

Her heart slammed. “There is one problem in your scheme to barter for Janet.”

“What is that?”

“I will not go.”

He cocked a brow and glanced down at her. “But you will.”

She scowled. “When we go to Stobo, you keep Janet in the church after Sir Ralph sends her in. Then I will go out and tell him I will not go with him.”

“That would start a bloodbath.”

“Do not make me go. Please,” she added.

He blew out a breath, an anguished sound, and reached out to pull her close with one arm. She wrapped both arms around his waist—she had taken off the sling at last—and held him. “Listen to me. I have to let you go. The prophetess of Aberlady has too much worth for an outlaw to keep to himself. And what about your father?”

“Leslie will want to control my visions like sacks of wool for the market. There must be another way to help my father. Father Hugh can help us, or some other friend. We can get him back. I know it.”

“Perhaps not,” he murmured. “He is at Wildshaw.”

“But—” She straightened as a thought occurred. “What if I go with Sir Ralph to Wildshaw, as he expects, so you can rescue Janet? And then, if my father is there, I will find a way to leave Wildshaw with him, and come back here to you.”

“Nay,” he growled. The wind ruffled his hair, and his eyes were deep blue in the sunset light. “Remember our bargain. You made me promise to let you go. I will keep my part of it.”

“Then I will come straight back here to you.”