Page 69 of The Lion

From what Ella had said, the peddler who came every month carried all sorts of hard-to-find items. Beatrice and she had been waiting for him impatiently. Now here he was, on the day that she cared little for anything.

Isobel didn’t move, her gaze following the wagon that entered through the gates. When she threw a stick for Albie, he lost interest and raced after the wagon.

Later when she walked past, Beatrice tried to convince her to go look at the peddler’s offerings.

Her pretty face was flushed with excitement. “He has items I have never seen. Beautiful combs and ribbons. I am sure it will be a good distraction for ye.”

“Go, enjoy yerself. I have a headache and need to rest. Soon it will be last meal.” Isobel hurried through the great hall and up the stairs. Then she went directly to the sitting room only to find it empty. Of course, Lady Mariel and Ella were probably at the peddler’s wagon.

When she walked into her new bedchamber, she regretted it as Darach walked in after her.

“We should talk.”

Just the sound of his voice sent trickles of fury up and down her spine. Isobel shuddered when she looked up to him. “About what?”

“I wish to explain why I went to the village directly after leaving Uisdein.”

Isobel didn’t want to hear a word. What she wanted was for him to leave her be and not speak to her for a long, long time.

She let out a harsh breath. “It is clear, Laird. Ye do not have to explain. What led ye directly to her is love.”

“Love?” He neared and reached to lift her chin, but she backed away.

“Do not touch me. Do not dare touch me.”

He looked to her with darkened eyes. “Ye cannot possibly think that is true.” Darach searched her face. “I came to explain and make ye see why I went there.”

The clenching of her jaw made her back teeth protest, but she could not keep from it. Isobel forced her gaze up and met his. “It is the truth. I do not begrudge ye what ye feel. However, I do not forgive the insult to me and our marriage. For this affront in front of everyone will not be soon forgotten. How could ye?”

“I needed to know…”

“It matters not to me what yer reasons are. I cannot bear to hear any reasoning ye might have. What is done is over now and cannot be repaired.”

When he looked about the room, taking in that all her belongings had been moved, he turned back to her. “Ye cannot remain here. Yer place is with me, in our bedchamber.”

When he went to continue, Isobel held up her hand. “As yer wife, I cannot deny ye access to my body. I am fully aware of it. However, I will not lie next to ye every night while knowing ye love another. Ye cannot force me to do it.”

“Isobel,” he began, and she interrupted.

“Darach. I will not bend on this.”

“Fine,” he replied through clenched teeth and left the room.

It was as if the room became completely devoid of everything when he walked out. The very air seeming to still; her lungs expanding as she fought to draw it in. Her marriage was now what it was supposed to be from the very beginning. An arrangement. A contract between two clans for an alliance. That she was part of it, was only to ensure the agreement was sealed.

It was foolish to think otherwise. To hope for a love match or at least a marriage where her husband would be loyal.

Isobel vowed not to cry. She would not allow herself the pain of any more physical torture than she’d already experienced. At the sound of gulls calling, Isobel went to the window and stared out for a long time.

When last meal came, she managed to keep a calm façade when entering the great hall. Conversations lulled, the room’s atmosphere changing as those present attempted to look to her without it seeming obvious.

How exactly was one to act upon first seeing the lady of the keep right after her husband proved his love for another? With pity or concern? Or perhaps, like most there, with curiosity to see the interaction between them.

Darach stood upon her approach and held out her chair. When she lowered to sit, he did as well and turned to her. “Ye look very pretty this evening.”

Knowing everyone watched, Isobel forced a smile. “Ye look very different to me today.”

For a moment, a crease formed between his brow, but then he only nodded.