"Pray pardon, Mistress. I am a wee bit anxious," Isobel said. She knew not if she would spend the next night here or elsewhere. Since Dirk and the other men hadn't returned the night before, she knew naught of what had happened at the castle. Had they been attacked or welcomed? She wished Dirk would hasten back and bring news. Aside from that, she missed him.
"Please call me Aunt Effie."
Goodness, she could not be serious. That implied she was family.
"Very well, Aunt Effie." She forced herself to sit on a stool near the hearth.
"I can understand how you're feeling, being away from home and all."
Isobel nodded.
"And I'm certain you're wanting to see that big strapping lad again."
"Lad?" Isobel asked.
"Aye, Dirk. I can see you already have a fondness for him. He's easy to like, that one."
Heat rushed over her. Effie thought she held a fondness for Dirk? Well, she did, of course. But she didn't want anyone else to know that. She would have to be more careful.
"I'm thinking he's a wee besotted with you as well, lass." Effie winked.
Isobel was sure her face glowed brighter red than the coals in the hearth and her heart pounded loud in her ears. "Nay. I hope not." Well, that was a flat out lie but surely it would disguise her attraction to him.
Effie blew out a doubtful breath. "I ken you're wanting to keep it a secret but 'tis clear to me."
She almost told Effie she was betrothed to a MacLeod, but she should probably keep that information to herself. The fewer people who knew the better.
"I only want to return to my brother's home as soon as the weather permits," Isobel said.
"Dirk will keep you safe in the meantime. Once they inaugurate him as chief, he'll be needing a wife."
Heavens, would the woman not stop with her matchmaking talk? Certainly the ruse of being married to Dirk had been a pleasant diversion, but it was not true. It could never be true. Her brother would have to negotiate again with the MacLeods and determine if and how he could remove her from the contract. If he couldn't, she'd run away to her aunt's home further south.
But she couldn't marry Dirk, the neighboring clan chief. Surely that would cause a feud between the MacLeods and the MacKays. To imagine violence and bloodshed, perhaps even loss of life, because of her was unthinkable. Besides that, the MacKays would have a dim view of both her and Dirk if they made him chief and then he started a war over her.
"It near broke my heart years ago when he had to leave us. We've all missed him sorely."
"Why did he have to leave?" Isobel asked, hoping Effie would give her more information than Dirk had.
"He didn't tell you? Someone came mighty close to murdering him."
A shock went through Isobel. "Who would do such a thing?" Dirk was so likable and respectful that she couldn't imagine anyone hating him enough to murder him.
"Well, who do you think?" Aunt Effie raised a brow as if Isobel should know good and well who'd want him dead.
"I have no inkling."
"His stepmother, of course."
"But Maighread Gordon is his stepmother." And she had been Isobel's mother's best friend for many years.
"Aye. You have the right of it," Effie assured her.
Though Isobel didn't know Maighread well, she had always seemed decent and friendly. "Why would she do such a thing?"
"So one of her sons could inherit."
"I see." Isobel didn't know whether to believe this news or not. But what reason would Effie have to lie? Mayhap they had it all wrong. "How did she try to kill him?"
"She hired someone to knock him off a cliff at the headland that juts out into the North Sea. The cliffs out there are a fright, around three-hundred feet high. Dirk fell several feet down the side of it and landed on a small outcropping. Conall rescued him. One of Conall's other nephews was killed that day by the same man."
"Dear heavens!" Isobel gasped. How could the Maighread she knew instigate such a tragic and violent event? Why would her mother befriend such a woman? She couldn't have known about her murderous side, surely. And it was no wonder Dirk was always on edge and vigilant for danger.
"Some people will go to great lengths in the service of greed," Effie said.
A horrid thought occurred to Isobel, sending icy fear through her veins. "Since he's come back, do you think she will try to kill him again?"
"'Tis what I've lost sleep over." Effie nodded. "I only pray Dirk is careful this time. Of course, he would never admit to fearing a gray-haired woman now that he's such a fearsome warrior, but she is sneaky. A lot of the clan members are loyal to her. She could hire anyone to do her dirty work."
Isobel had to do something. Of course, she wasn't strong enough to protect Dirk from an assassin, but she could watch his back. She would keep her eyes and ears open and learn if there was a plot against him.
"Where is his stepmother now? I wonder if she knows he's back."
"'Tis unlikely as of yet. She lives in a manor house at Tongue most of the time."
"And she is in good health?"
"Aye. She was a few years younger than Laird Griff when he married her."
Even if Maighread didn't travel to Dunnakeil herself, she might send an assassin.
"Please don't tell Dirk I told you any of this," Effie said. "He and Conall like to keep it quiet, considering who Maighread is. She's the sister of an earl and her family is powerful."
Isobel nodded, remembering who Maighread's family was. Although some from powerful families had gotten away with murder, Isobel had to make sure Maighread didn't.
"But I wanted you to know of the danger," Effie added.
"I thank you for telling me."
Although Isobel felt completely inadequate for the task, she had to help Dirk stay safe. Having done nothing like this before, she was unsure what she should do. Stay with Dirk every moment? Slip around and eavesdrop on the servants to see what intrigues they were gossiping about? If Maighread showed up, she'd cozy up to her to see what secrets she might reveal.
Conall MacKay opened the cottage door and held it for Dirk and Rebbie, who both ducked beneath the top of the door frame and entered, bringing the smell of fresh winter air with them.
Isobel's heartbeat raced at the sight of Dirk with his windblown copper hair.
"A good morn, one and all," Conall said in a jovial tone.
Isobel stood and curtseyed.
Dirk gave a brief bow. "M'lady." When his bright blue eyes met hers, she realized how much she'd missed him last night.
"Come, warm yourselves." Effie ushered the men toward the hearth.
"Don't get up on our account, I beg of you." Rebbie waved Isobel back to her stool.
"I've sat too long." And besides, she was feeling overwarm of a sudden. She paced to the other side of the small room, away from the hearth.
"How did the meeting go?" Effie inquired.
"Very well," Conall said. "The elders recognized Dirk, as did Aiden. Haldane was too young to remember him well. Claims Dirk is an imposter."
"Mmph," Effie grunted. "'Tis as I expected. Anyway, you're all just in time for midday meal." She waved them into the small kitchen and dining room.
While they ate oatcakes and leek soup, they continued the conversation about Aiden and Haldane.
"Aiden has agreed to let us stay at the castle," Dirk said. "Plenty of room there. We wouldn't want to crowd you out of your cottage, Aunt."
"You're welcome to stay as long as you wish. But Aiden is a generous lad. I'm glad his mother and his brother have not managed to turn him yet."
"Nay, he is as I remember him," Dirk said. "He has a good heart."
"The way he plays music, I believe he is an angel sent from the Almighty," Effie said.
"Och, you'd think he is Saint Andrew himself, the way the two of you go on," Conall proclaimed.
Isobel bit her lip to keep from grinning.
"Oh hush, you old goat," Effie scolded while giving her husband
an affectionate pat on his bearded jaw.
"A good-hearted lad he may be, but he is not suited to be chief," Conall went on. "His da knew it, as does most of the clan."
Dirk knew Aiden didn't wish to be chief either, contrary to what his mother wanted. The reason she'd gone to great lengths to murder Dirk as a lad was so her son could inherit. Now, all her plotting and manipulation were coming to naught. She would be furious. If the elders would vote him in and Aiden would step down as chief before his mother could start her scheming again, Dirk would have a better chance. His stepmother certainly held less sway over the clan than she used to since she was now dowager.
At the moment, Aiden was likely a puppet chief of his mother and younger brother.
Although the matter of the clan and the chieftainship was heavy on his mind, Dirk's attention drifted to Isobel, sitting on the opposite side of the table. After having slept two nights in the same room with her, he'd felt bereft waking up and not seeing her, first thing. He wanted to talk to her now but didn't wish to draw unnecessary attention.
"How is your hand, Lady Isobel?" Rebbie asked.
"Much better. I thank you, my laird."
Annoyance wormed its way through Dirk's vitals. He knew not why. Rebbie was being his normal solicitous and friendly self. Dirk wished he could be more like him. Carefree and relaxed with the ladies… that would be much easier to deal with than the intensity he felt around Isobel.
Damnation, what was wrong with him? His father had just died. He might or might not become chief of his clan. And all he could think about was a woman who was practically married to someone else. It was not like him at all. Surely he was not becoming obsessed with women like Rebbie and Lachlan were. Of a certainty, Dirk also enjoyed women, but they were not at the top of his list of priorities. At least they never had been in the past.
Rebbie's gaze met his. "What's wrong?"
"Naught. We'd best be on our way." Dirk rose from the table, attempting to erase what must have been an incensed expression. He glanced to his aunt and uncle. "I thank you for the hospitality."
"You're most welcome anytime." Aunt Effie patted his hand. "And we're so glad you've come home."
Conall nodded. "Aye, indeed."
As they were gathering their possessions and leaving, Isobel embraced Aunt Effie. That seemed right and homey, somehow… like family. Dirk yearned for something he should not be imagining.
Dirk, Isobel, Rebbie, George, Beitris and Conall filed outside into the icy wind. The tempestuous sky with its swift gray clouds and moments of bright sunlight shifted and moved overhead.
Isobel stopped beside him as the others mounted up. "I haven't had a chance to tell you… I'm sorry about your father. You have my deepest sympathies." With her good hand, she touched his arm lightly.
"I thank you." Her words, and her touch, meant more to him than he could express. Since she'd lost her father not long ago, he knew her words were not empty. She truly did understand how he felt.
He was tempted to capture her hand in his and kiss her fingers, but she drew her hand away.
"Are you certain I'll be welcome at the castle?" Her deep brown eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, captivated him as she gazed up beneath the wool cowl.
"Aye. Aiden said you were. But you'll still want to watch your back."
"I always do."
"I worry about my youngest brother, Haldane. He is unpredictable and untrustworthy."
She frowned, as if in deep thought. "I will be careful."
"Let me see your injured hand," Dirk said.
She placed her hand in his, the light weight of it and her trust in him somehow made him feel as exalted as a king.
The broken finger was still bandaged with the splint, but the top of her hand now held a deep violet hue.
"There is much bruising." The blue bruise to the side of her face remained as well. Rage crawled through him. Damn Nolan MacLeod. "Does your finger ache?"
"Some, but I can tolerate it."
He gave a brief nod and released her. He was proud of her strength. A lot of ladies like her would do nothing but complain with every breath, being injured and here at the edge of the land where the wind off the sea lashed with a vengeance.
"If you don't mind too much, you can ride pillion behind me again," he said, offering his arm.
Her hand slipped around his elbow, and they moved toward Tulloch. "'Twill be my pleasure, kind sir."
Pleasure? Did she get as aroused as he did when they rode together? 'Twas not possible, surely.
Once they were mounted, Isobel astride behind him on the bedroll, Dirk finally felt normal. She grabbed onto the back of his woolen mantle.
"Give me your good hand." He reached back for it and tugged her arm around his waist.
She held on tight, then placed her other arm around him. His body stirred as it always did when she touched him, his blood flowing hotter while delicious carnal images formed in his mind. He could easily visualize trailing his fingertips over the bare silky skin of her curves.
Damnation! He had to stop.
He glanced aside and found Rebbie grinning like a coddled puppy. Dirk would no doubt have to endure more teasing later.
Refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response, Dirk urged the horse onto the trail through the village and toward the castle.
He could never think of her as his, or he'd never be able to give her up.
***
The many whitewashed cottages of the village reminded Isobel of Dornie. She was tempted to ask Dirk when someone would escort her home, but with the wind gusting as it was he'd likely not hear her. Besides, knowing the danger he was in, she was in no hurry to go home.
Her arms underneath his wool mantle were warm but her hands were exposed. She had no gloves and would be unable to wear one on her injured hand anyway. Her layers of woven wool did not shield her from all the icy needles of wind that penetrated the fabric. She shivered, wishing she could crawl under the mantle with him. Naked. To feel his hot skin against hers would surely be bliss. She didn't understand herself. She'd never had such lustful thoughts about a man.
He placed his warm hand over hers where they rested at his waist. She almost sighed, appreciating his heat and lots more about his body, like how muscular and fit he was, unlike her late husband.
She'd been responsible for taking care of Jedwarth during his illness and before his death. He'd been sickly since the day she met him, which was the day she married him. She hadn't loved him, but she'd respected him for treating her well.
Rumors and speculations had abounded. Was she barren? Was the old earl impotent? Why had she not conceived him an heir?
'Twas difficult to conceive an heir when her husband could not perform his duties in the bedchamber. He had tried but it never happened.
She wondered what sharing a bed with Dirk would be like. Some part of her, deep inside, tingled. He was surely a virile man, young as he was, only a couple of years older than herself. Likely, he would perform like a stallion in the bedchamber.
She didn't know why she was thinking of this now when she should be focused on their safety. Glancing over the open moorland, she perceived no threat. A veil of snow partially covered the gray rocks and dull brownish-green heather. The brisk wind ensured most of the snow drifted further south.
Since she'd been old enough to be interested in the lads, she'd dreamed of having a marriage like her parents. They'd shared a profound love, many times sitting together, talking and laughing at their own private jests. And a few times she'd found them kissing in some dark corner, much to her embarrassment.
Her mother had given her advice about men. Thus far, Isobel hadn't found the type of man she'd always wanted. Each time she saw Dirk, he seemed more and more like that type of man. But what of it? A mountain of obstacles stood between them, like the whole of the MacLeod clan. And her brother too.
The closer she, Dirk, and their party rode to Castle Dunnakeil on the shore, the stronger the wind buffete
d them. Part of the time, she scrunched behind Dirk's big body, hoping it would shield her from the worst of the wind.
When they crested the hill, she leaned around him. The ancient castle on its prominent rock formation and the ocean beyond lay spread out before them as far as she could see in both directions. What an amazing sight it was with the moody, violet-gray sky and the pale orange glow of the sun behind the clouds in the western sky.
Though the icy wind stung her eyes, she could not look away. The gray stone castle was large with three towers, surrounded by a tall stone wall. Clearly it was a well-built, defensive fortification. Though she knew not why, she liked it instantly.
She only hoped Dirk's clan accepted him as the chief he was born to be.
***
"Do you not see what he's doing?" Haldane asked loudly, his voice echoing off the stone walls of the dim great hall. The rest of the clan fell silent. "An imposter moving his friends in. He could be here to murder us in our sleep for all we know."
Dirk glared at his younger brother. You little bastard. He couldn't wait to send him away to live at Tongue.
"There is no need to be so dramatic," Aiden said. "I remember Dirk and this man is him."
Haldane rolled his eyes but refrained from arguing. Dirk was glad to see that at least Haldane was showing Aiden some respect.
"He's even brought his wife," Haldane announced, his gaze running over Isobel where she stood near the massive fireplace.
Dirk wondered what it was about him and Isobel that made people assume they were married. Simply because they rode a horse together, or because he escorted her up the steps and inside?
The gazes of twenty or thirty clan members switched between Dirk and Isobel, undoubtedly speculating whether they were indeed married.
His whole body heated. Embarrassment or rage? He couldn't be sure. Perhaps a mix of both. Since he'd taken a different name at the age of fifteen and hidden in plain sight all these years, he hadn't liked being the center of attention. And now, he shouldn't have to explain anything to his rude whelp of a brother. But since the marriage ruse was no longer necessary for Isobel's safety, he would be honest with his clan.
"She's not my wife. She's a lady I rescued on the way here."
My Brave Highlander Page 12