Page 67 of The Lion

Already Isobel had noticed his absence and held her hands to her chest. “Why is he not with them? Could it be the scout was mistaken?”

The brothers dismounted, but only Duncan walked to them. The others darted looks toward the women and seemed reluctant to enter the keep.

“What happened?” Both Isobel and Lady Mariel asked in unison. Lady Mariel grabbed Duncan’s arm. “Tell me, son.”

With an annoyed expression, Duncan met Isobel’s gaze and then pulled his mother against his side. “Darach is fine. He went to the village to see about something. He will be here for last meal.”

“The village?” Lady Mariel gave her son an incredulous look. “Why would he go to the village?”

Isobel instantly knew. He’d gone to see Lilia first upon being released. Of course. A man in love who thought he might die would want reassurance from the most important person in his life.

Whirling on her heel, she ran past the great hall and up the stairs. Effective immediately, she would not be sharing a room with him. It was enough to be humiliated in such a way, but to then act as if nothing happened and share a bed with him each night was not in her nature.

“Isobel?” Beatrice walked into the room. “What are ye doing?”

“Do ye not see? I am packing my belongings. Please call Annis. I am moving into the empty bedchamber across the corridor.”

“Are ye sure,” Beatrice asked. “I am sure he has a reasonable explanation.”

Unable to keep her anger in check, she met her sister’s gaze. “What do ye suppose he is doing at the village? Drinking at the pub with old friends?”

“It could be he needs to know about the bairn.”

“I do not care why he went there. What matters is that he wished to go straight to her upon being freed. Not here to me, or to his family home, but directly to the woman who may be carrying his child.”

Annis must have been alerted because she hurried in and without a word began pulling her gowns from the wardrobe and taking them to the bedchamber across the corridor.

“Oh, Isobel. I am so very sorry,” Beatrice said. “I had hoped ye would be in a love match. He seems besotted by ye.”

Her heart ached, but she fought tears. “I expected this would happen. I’d hoped it would not hurt as much as it does. However, I am sure, over the years, it will become easier.”

While they worked, Lady Mariel walked in. “Oh no, darling, ye should not do this. Wait to speak to Darach. There could be a good explanation.”

“Such as?” Isobel lifted a basket filled with her hair accessories and other items to her hip. “After being freed from captivity, is there any explanation for going straight to another woman than love?”

Lady Mariel blew out a breath. “I suppose not. It could be he was worried about her state.”

“Lady Mariel, I appreciate ye standing up for yer son.” Isobel allowed Annis to take the basket and met her mother-in-law’s gaze. “In my place, what would ye do? I cannot bear sharing the same bed with him each night. Not after he leaves hers. How can ye possible ask me to?”

Unable to keep from it, Isobel began to cry allowing Lady Mariel to hold her close. “I am so very sorry for this. I would not ever have expected him to disrespect ye in such a manner.”

Together they went to the other chamber. Isobel could not bear to remain in the one she’d shared with Darach any longer. Her entire body ached, every limb weak and shaky. She realized she had not eaten since the day before and now it felt impossible.

“I wish to lie down for a bit. I do not feel well.” She undressed, dropping her clothes to the floor, not caring who watched and slid between the blankets.

Beatrice climbed on the bed and snuggled next to her. Soon the room was quiet, everyone had gone except her sister, who cried softly next to her.

Voices woke Isobel much later, the room was dark meaning she’d slept for hours. At first, she was confused as to where she was, but then recalling the events of the day, she closed her eyes not wishing to face whatever came next.

It sounded as if Darach was arguing with someone, another male, Duncan perhaps, just outside the door.

Darach was midsentence. “…and my wife will not…”

“Ye cannot demand anything right now,” Duncan said and then grumbled something else in a lower tone, so Isobel could not hear.

The door opened and Isobel closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Beatrice sat up. “What are ye doing?”