Tavish buried his face in her neck. “I don’t like this.”
“I know, my love.” She pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “All will be well. You’ll see.”
Isla stepped intoGray’s study.
Her brother nodded in greeting, face impassive. However, the tapping of his fingers against his thigh betrayed his irritation.
Granted, Isla’s behavior had been calibrated to needle him. Payback for the autocratic tone of his note to her.
Tavish had borrowed a small gig from Castle Balfour for Isla to drive herself to Dunmore. He accompanied her as far as the boundaries of Grayburn land.
“Return to me soon,” he had said, kissing her soundly. “Ye joked about me storming Grayburn’s palace, but I will do so without hesitation.”
Upon stepping through the front door of Dunmore, Isla had immediately requested a bath be drawn. This had been followed by an extensive toilette and rather sumptuous luncheon.
Only then, with her belly full and an elegant London day dress upon her person, did she present herself to her brother.
He was not amused.
Gray stared as she closed the door to his study with a politesnick.
“You wished to see me, Brother?” she said by way of greeting.
He pointed at the leather armchair opposite his desk. Isla lifted an eyebrow but dutifully took her seat.
Leaning forward, he clasped his hands together atop the desk. “You appear in better spirits than last I saw you.”
Isla barely stopped an eye roll. How like Gray. To toss her out on her ear, leave her sobbing and alone on a rural country road waiting for Tavish and Captain Ross to happen by, and then act as if they had merely been taking the air when next they spoke.
“Yes. I have rather sorted things.”
“Things like Tavish Balfour? I understand you have been staying with him at Cairnfell Castle, though thankfully, the news of your indiscretion is still well hidden.”
Isla didn’t dignify his verbal poke with a reply. “What is it you wished to say to me, Gray?”
He studied her for a long moment. Isla couldn’t discern what he was looking for, though his gaze did drop momentarily to the gold wedding band on her left ring finger.
As for herself, she felt different in Gray’s presence. In the past, there had always been a thread of anxiety in their interactions. A gnawing worm of worry. The never-ending fear that Gray could not be trusted and might, at any moment, broadcast her illegitimacy and set her adrift in the world.
But now . . .
Tavish glowed bright in her mind. Even though he wasn’t beside her, his strength and support buoyed her.
No matter what happened here with Gray, Tavish was hers.
“During our last conversation, you pleaded with me to assist you in unraveling the matter of your marriage.” Her brother leaned back in his chair.
“I did, but I no longer require your help.”
Gray continued to study her.
Silence.
Isla blinked first.
“Well, if that is all . . .” She pushed out of her chair, standing tall and turning for the door. “I shall pack my things, though I would like to discuss the needs of Malton Hill before I depart.”
She was reaching for the doorknob when Gray spoke.
