“I have been searching for you,” this time Ethan addressed Gerard. “The constable has confessed to killing the laird. He was hung from the south tower yesterday at first light.”
Isabella’s eyes widened in shock. Their ordeal was over. They could return home. She slipped her hand into Gerard’s and gave it a squeeze.
Gerard didn’t look convinced. “I find it hard to believe the constable would confess so easily.”
Ethan’s expression was grim. “Let’s just say he had some help and leave it at that.” He nodded in Isabella’s direction. “After all, we wouldn’t want to upset the lady.”
“No,” Gerard murmured, as understanding dawned. “No, we wouldn’t want to upset the lady.”
The atmosphere inside the Great Hall was quiet and subdued when Isabella and Gerard walked through it on the way to the laird’s bedchamber. A few people murmured hello, but most adverted their eyes, embarrassed by the swift judgement and actions they had taken.
Isabella grasped Gerard’s hand as they climbed the stairs to the second floor. It seemed like a lifetime since she had walked these halls, but in reality it had only been a couple of days.
The bedchamber door creaked open at their touch and they cautiously stepped inside, uncertain of what awaited them there. Eva was sitting by the fire, she turned as they entered and gave them a wan smile.
“I’ve been worried about the two of you,” she said, as she rose from her seat and walked over to give them a hug. Tears shown in her eyes as she took a step back. “So worried.”
Gerard nodded, his expression solemn. “I have heard the news about the constable.”
Eva made a face and her eyes flashed fire. “That hateful man. To think that Rowan trusted him and all the while he was plotting against him.”
“Aye,” Gerard said, “it’s too bad I couldn’t have witnessed the constable’s death. I would have loved to have killed him for you.” A look of pain flashed in his eyes. “For Rowan.”
Eva shivered. “It was a ghastly affair and one I don’t wish to witness again.”
Gerard nodded. “I wish I could promise that you will be spared from viewing death, but hanging is a common thing.”
“Aye.” Eva shivered. “But the constable was drawn and quartered first and then he was hung.”
Isabella paled. Now she knew the meaning behind Ethan’s words when he had said the constable had help confessing. Her stomach churned and she walked over to the bed to sit down.
“Isabella, are you unwell?” Eva rushed to her side.
Isabella could only shake her head as she moaned. She wrapped her arms around her stomach protectively, as if to shelter the unborn child from the cruel world.
“Bella’s stomach has been a bit queasy,” Gerard said, addressing the both of them. “I have heard that it is a common thing in pregnancy.”
Eva gasped as she turned to her. “You’re pregnant?”
Isabella nodded.
“That’s wonderful,” Eva said sadly. “I just wish Rowan were alive to hear the good news.”
Gerard nodded.
Eva grasped Gerard’s hands. “Rowan loved you. He thought of you as a brother.”
“And I, him,” Gerard said, as he turned away, but not before Isabella saw the sheen of tears in his eyes. He missed his cousin greatly and there would be a hole in his heart for years to come.
“I have something I wish to ask you,” Eva said, capturing Gerard’s attention once again. “As you are aware, I know next to nothing about running a castle.”
“You know enough,” Gerard said evenly.
Eva gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you for being kind, Gerard, but we both know it isn’t true. I don’t know nearly as much as I should and I am woefully ignorant when it comes to the castle finances.”
Gerard looked taken aback. “It isn’t the place for a…” he trailed off.
Eva gave a short laugh. “Gerard Mackenzie, if you call me a mere woman I will slap you.”
Gerard gave her a half-hearted grin. “No, not a mere woman. Never, a mere woman. You are special, Eva. Rowan wouldn’t have married you otherwise.”
Eva took a deep breath. “I do have a favor to ask you.”
“Anything,” Gerard replied solemnly.
Eva took a moment to answer, but when she did her voice was firm. “I want you to be the new laird.”
Gerard shook his head and frowned. “What about Nicholas?”
A sad look entered Eva’s eyes at the mention of her son. “I trust you to do what is right when the time comes, but until then, I want you to be in charge.”
Isabella could see the weight of the decision resting on Gerard’s shoulders. He didn’t answer right away, but instead crossed to the window to look out at the Scottish countryside he held so dear.
He turned. “I will accept your offer, but only until Nicholas comes of age.
“For Rowan,” Eva whispered.
Gerard inclined his head. “For Rowan.”
Firelight danced across the walls, chasing away the shadows, but did little to alleviate Isabella’s fears. She lay in Gerard’s arms in a bedchamber she had never thought she would set eyes on again and thought about her future and the future of her unborn child.
“Isabella?” Gerard lifted up on his elbow and stared down at her. “What’s wrong, luv?”
“There is nothing wrong,” she said, as she turned away from him.
He pulled her back around to face him. “I can tell you are lying. Are you troubled about me being the new laird?”
She nodded. “Aye, it troubles me greatly.”
Gerard pulled her close to place a kiss on her lips. “Why? Why does it trouble you?”
Isabella knew it would be useless to lie. “I am afraid you will eventually re-marry and my child and I will not have a home.”
Gerard frowned. “Didn’t I say I would take care of you?”
“Aye, you did, but your new wife might have other ideas. She might not wish to share her home with your mistress.”
Gerard grinned, the kind of grin that made her toes curl and a delicious ache to begin low in her belly. “Then it is a good thing,” he murmured, as his hand traveled higher on her thigh. “That the only woman I intend to marry, is you.”
“You wish to marry me?” Isabella’s voice trembled.
The look in Gerard’s eyes softened. “Aye, lass, I do. I want it very much.” He reached out to tenderly stroke a lock of hair away from her face. “I love you, Bella,” he rasped.
“You do?” Isabella could scarcely believe her ears. She had longed for this day, but now that it was here it seemed almost too good to be true.
“Aye, Bella.” Gerard kissed her lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. The truth is, I have loved you since the afternoon we first made love in your cottage, but I was just too stubborn to admit it. Will you marry me, Bella?” he asked, as he gazed deeply into her eyes.
“Aye,” she whispered as she pulled him down for another kiss. “I will.
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