Page 61 of The Lion

“He does not care for Darach to be gone so long,” Lady Mariel said. “I have tried to urge him to eat since yesterday.”

“I will help,” Isobel said. “I think he will enjoy a walk.”

“Do not go far,” Lady Mariel said already rushing to whatever the next task was.

“Come Albie,” Isobel called motioning to the dog, who rushed to her side. They walked out into the courtyard and on through the side gates to where she and Darach had walked together with Albie before.

The excited dog ran to find a stick, while Isobel stood, looking off toward the sea. It was so utterly unnecessary for there to be constant conflict. Why couldn’t people remain satisfied with what they had? It was as if certain men fought for power, not caring about the cost to their people or realizing the fact that nothing in life was permanent. Sooner or later, the power-hungry men would die, and all the strife would not stop it.

Albie appeared from the edge of the woods with a much too large branch. The pup struggled to drag it toward her, and she couldn’t keep from laughing. Taking pity on it, she hurried to grab the branch, broke off a piece, and gave it to Albie, who ran in a circle.

Although the dog was happy in the moment, like her, once back inside, they would feel the emptiness from Darach being gone.

“Ye should not be this far out,” the unfamiliar voice made Isobel swing around. Caelan stood a few feet away. She couldn’t keep from taking in the man.

Despite Darach being blond, the resemblance between him and his brothers was obvious. They all had hazel eyes and the same strong chin. There was something about them too that was similar, in their stance and build.

Caelan however, was nothing like the others. His features were aristocratic, a slender patrician nose, and his almond-shaped eyes were blue. Caelan’s rich auburn hair was sheered to just below his jawline and combed back away from his face. He was of good stature, but not as broad as his brothers. Of all of them, he had a regal air, as if he were nobility.

Isobel had to admit to finding the man intriguing. For whatever reason, he rarely visited the keep. According to Darach, it was because he had been cast away to live in the other home since a child and was therefore not as close to the others.

When Duncan had also been asked to leave, he’d gone to live with Caelan, it was only since then that the brothers had gotten to know Caelan better.

“When do ye think they will return?” Isobel asked, not moving, keeping a watch on Albie.

“There is no way to know exactly. I do feel that once the Uisdein sees the size of our army, and that we do not expect to be challenged, he will relent immediately.”

Isobel closed her eyes. She wanted to ask the most pressing question on her mind but was terrified.

“My brother is unharmed. It would not be in the Uisdein’s interest to hurt him in any manner.”

At his words, she turned away and wiped an errant tear. Her husband was in danger. Just the thought that he could be killed sent painful stabs all through her body. If she were to be honest, it was hard to fathom what would happen if he never returned. Her mind refused to go to that place, the dark corner of fear.

“I do not know ye very well. I do not know Darach very well for that matter,” Isobel said making her way back to the keep. “In what birth order do ye fall?”

Caelan knew that she tried to distract herself by the understanding look he gave her.

“I am the same age as Duncan, he is older by only a couple of weeks actually. Darach is the eldest, followed by Duncan and me, then Stuart, finally there’s Ewan, then Gideon, and the youngest is Ella.”

“There are so many of ye,” Isobel said with a smile. “There are only four of us. My brothers are older than Beatrice and me. She is the youngest.”

He looked to the keep as if considering it for the first time. “I am sure yer father is very different than mine.”

Not one to keep from the truth, Isobel nodded. “From what I’ve heard, aye. My father is kind and dotes on our mother, my sister, and me. My brothers and our father get along as well.” She paused in thought. “I wish every marriage would be like my parents’.”

“Perhaps if people stopped insisting on arranging marriages between strangers.” Caelan met her gaze. “If I were ever to marry, it will be the woman whom I choose.”

Isobel chuckled. “And hopefully chooses ye in return?”

“Of course,” he replied.

She liked Caelan. Although just meeting, it was effortless to feel at ease with him. Isobel hated that he didn’t feel comfortable enough to remain at the keep for longer visits. She was sure they would become fast friends.

“Yer sister should be able to return home once Darach is back.”

“I will inform her. Although to be honest, I wish she would stay longer. I will miss her terribly. She and Ella have become fast friends as well.”

She gave Caelan a teasing look. “Have ye met her?”