Page 12 of To Win a Highlander’s Heart

“Aye. They are.” Orrick set his jaw as he glared at his brother. “One day when I hesitate, someone truly will die. It’s only a matter of time.”

“Enough of that kind of talk.” Alastair’s voice came out hard as he looked from Orrick to Tormod. “We have more important matters to address. The Nicolson clan is our ally. It is well known among the clans that John Nicolson banished Isolde over a year ago. If Laird Nicolson learns we are harbouring his sister, he will end his allegiance to the MacLeods. As soon as Isolde Nicolson is bandaged, we must return her to whatever hole she crept out of.”

Orrick’s blood raced with the heat of his anger even as he wondered why Isolde had been banished from her home. None of them had been on the Isle of Skye when whatever happened between the laird and his sister had transpired. And it wasn’t like Alastair to give credence to idle gossip. “What has gotten into you, Alastair? In the past you let your own eyes make judgements. When did that change? Or is it only because I am involved in this situation and not Tormod?”

Alastair flinched at the insinuation that he favoured Tormod over Orrick. “My response has nothing to do with you and me, or the past. My burdens are heavy at the moment. We have the English on one side pressing all of us to pledge fealty to their king. On the other side, we have the MacDonalds gathering the Highland clans against us. We will soon be at war, mark my words, no matter how hard I have tried to negotiate peace.”

“Aye,” Orrick replied, trying to keep his anger in check. “These are trying times. We have weathered our share of storms in the past. We will find our way through this one as well by working together and by helping all those in need of our help, no matter what side of the clan divide they fall on.”

Tormod shook his head. “You always were a bit idealistic, Orrick. Alastair is right about this. We need the Nicolsons to fight with us against the English and the MacDonalds.”

“From what I saw in the wilderness, Isolde is more an asset than a detriment. Besides, the two of you are getting ahead of yourselves. No one outside the immediate family even knows she is here,” Orrick said, digging in his heels. He would not abandon a woman who was injured because of his lack of action. “Allow Lottie to heal Isolde’s arm so she can continue to protect herself with her bow and arrow. Then, we will talk about sending her away.”

Alastair frowned. “You mean keep her presence here a secret?”

Orrick shrugged. “It wouldn’t be that difficult. With the state of her injuries I doubt she will be roaming the castle hallways anytime soon.”

“Our brother has a point.” Tormod shifted his gaze between Alastair and Orrick. “The girl hasn’t been seen in these parts for more than a year. It wouldn’t be that hard to keep her identity a secret.”

Alastair’s features steeled. “I will agree if you give the girl another name so no one can connect the sudden appearance of a female stranger with the year-ago disappearance of Laird Nicolson’s sister.”

“Agreed.” Orrick felt the tension in his shoulders suddenly ease. “Of the three of us, I know best how to stay to the shadows. That has been my role in this family for as long as I can remember. Stay back and stay quiet while you and Tormod take care of everything.” Orrick stepped around Alastair and headed for the door. This time Alastair didn’t stop him.

“That is not what I meant, Orrick,” Alastair objected as Orrick continued inside.

It might not be what he said, but it was how his two brothers always treated him. The three of them were all adults now. It was up to Orrick to decide how he lived his life from this moment forward. If he didn’t think he could ever lift a sword against another human again, then he had to find a different way forward. Part of that new beginning would be listening to all sides of a story before he passed judgement on anyone. Even if Alastair would not, Orrick wanted to hear from Isolde’s own lips what had happened between her and her brother to cause her current circumstances.

Until that time, there were other things that demanded his attention, such as making sure the woman didn’t die from her wounds.

Chapter Five

Isolde forced herself to breathe as she walked alongside the two MacLeod women to the upper chambers of the castle. They entered a room halfway down the hall. Once inside, the two women stared at her in a long silence. Isolde straightened and held her head high, trying not to let their exploring gazes ruffle her composure. She kept her hands at her sides and let them look their fill as she studied them in return.

The blond-haired woman’s loose-fitting green damask gown was designed to hide her thickened waist and full breasts, indicating that she was with child. The red-haired woman wore a soft peach-coloured silk gown with a stomacher and petticoat embroidered in green and lavender flowers. Their hair was neatly combed and swept back from their faces in refined styles. Isolde swallowed, knowing she looked a sight compared to these elegant women.

The blonde shook her head as though breaking whatever trance she’d been in and stepped forward. “Forgive us. We are being rude.” She offered Isolde a slight curtsey. “I am Gwendolyn, the laird’s wife. And this is Fiona, Tormod’s wife.” She looked directly at Isolde. “How do you know Orrick?”

“I don’t,” she lied.

“How did you become injured?” Fiona asked, studying her cloak with interest.

Isolde nervously folded her hands before her. “We met this morning while he was looking for the lost child, and I was hunting.”

Fiona’s gaze narrowed. “That’s how you got injured?”

Isolde nodded her head. “I was attacked by the same badger that chewed Emlyn’s leg. Where is the child? Will she survive her injuries?”

“The girl fell asleep after Lottie put a new poultice over her wounds. She could do the same for you. Why don’t you give me your cloak?”

Isolde unfastened the cloak. She slipped the bloody garment from her shoulders, exposing her singed and still-seeping arm just as footsteps sounded at the doorway.

“Why is there blood all the way up the stairs and into this chamber?” A dark-haired young woman came inside, stopping abruptly at the sight of Isolde. Alarm crossed her features. “What is she doing here? This woman is dangerous.” The girl propelled herself between Isolde and Gwendolyn, forcing the laird’s wife to take several steps back. “Get away from my sister-in-law. I’ll not let you hurt her.”

“Rowena!” Gwendolyn’s face paled as she shifted to the angry woman’s side. “Isolde is a guest here. She is no threat to any of us.”

“I refuse to allow her to stay under this roof.” Rowena’s dark eyes fairly sparked as she put her hand out, blocking Gwendolyn from advancing. “She is ruthless and attacks pregnant women without provocation.”

Fiona’s brow furrowed. “Why would you say such a thing?”