Isobel was a viper to be sure, a viper who spewed venom with very word.Leila did not respond but went to Fergus to ask him some detail about the meal.He surveyed her and concern lit his eyes as he perceived that she was disturbed.His gaze flicked to Isobel as his lips tightened.
“Sit between my father and me,” he said tersely and Leila nodded agreement.
Calum descended the stairs in that moment, his features brightening at the sight of her, and Leila escorted him to the board.The older man spared their guest only a quick greeting, then continued to speak French to Leila as he took his place.
She did not miss the warning in the other woman’s eyes, and knew this matter was not yet put to rest.To Leila’s thinking, Isobel could not leave Killairic soon enough.
Isobel’s allurewas diminishing so rapidly that Fergus could not imagine he had ever seen any merit in her.When he had changed and descended to the hall, he knew at a glance that Leila was upset.Her features were composed and her manner quiet, her thoughts hidden so surely that he knew something had gone awry.
Isobel looked pleased with herself, which meant she had said something to his lady wife.Fergus doubted it had been true, but could scarce discover the truth as the company sat down to the evening meal.He kissed Leila as if they had been parted for longer than had been the case and felt a little tremor in her response.He hoped his touch reassured her and kept his hand upon the back of her waist.He seated himself between the two women, certain this would simplify matters.He also invited Murdoch to sit by his father, so that the two warriors could share a trencher while he shared with Leila.
Isobel took this in poor humor, clearly having believed that she would share with Fergus instead of her son.
All the same, Fergus’ plan was ill-fated.Isobel pressed herself against him and talked ceaselessly to him.He thought she scarce took a breath, for fear that he might glance at his wife.He knew that she spoke in quick Gaelic, thick with dialect, deliberately so that Leila could not follow her words.She said little of import, merely reminding him of some event in their shared past or spoke of some mutual friend, but clearly intended to demonstrate that they shared a history that Leila did not.
Leila ignored Isobel, turning her attention to Calum.As much as Fergus admired her grace and good manners, he disliked that Isobel would so insult Leila in their home.He could not utter more than a word, though, and his temper rose steadily during the meal.
By the time the trenchers were cast to the dogs, he was furious with Isobel.
When she entreated him to accompany her to the healer’s hut, lest she become lost on the way, Fergus ceded to her request immediately.He had more than sufficient to say to his former betrothed.
He begged the indulgence of Leila, noting how she scanned his features before she nodded, then seized Isobel’s elbow and marched her from the hall.The boy ran behind them.
“Fergus!”Isobel said with pleasure.“I had no notion that you were so intent upon being alone with me.”
“How else should I chastise you for your rudeness?”he demanded.“What ails you that you would insult my lady wife in our hall?What seizes your wits that you would touch me as a lover in the company of my wife?”
Isobel smiled up at him coyly.“You would rather I wait until we are alone?”
“I would rather you recall that you are Stewart’s wife.”
“Stewart!”Isobel made a dismissive gesture, even as they reached the door to the healer’s hut.Fergus opened the portal, urged her inside, and left the door open while he lit a lantern.Isobel wrinkled her nose at the simplicity of the place, but Fergus did not care about her pleasure.
The boy was less insulted than his mother.Indeed, he was already eyeing the pallet with such yearning that Fergus guessed he was exhausted.
Fergus gestured to the pallet with clean bedding upon it.“You will be sufficiently comfortable here until your departure in the morning.There is oil in the lantern and you will not need a fire on so mild a night.They will give you bread to break your fast in the kitchens.”He inclined his head and bowed slightly.“I wish you a good journey to Dunnisbrae, for I doubt I will see you again.”
Isobel’s dismay was clear.“You cannot believe that I will leave Killairic for Dunnisbrae?”
“Of course, you will, and you will do as much before noon on the morrow.”Fergus smiled thinly.“I would not have you be without shelter when night falls and it is a long ride.”He nodded to Gavin, then turned to leave.
Isobel pursued him, snatching at his sleeve.“Fergus!I left Stewart to come to you!I have no plan to return to Dunnisbrae, and truly, Stewart might not have me back.”
“He is your husband.Of course, he will welcome your return.”
Isobel’s expression was sly for a moment, then she appealed to him again, looking feminine and vulnerable.“But he beats me, Fergus.I cannot bear to stay with him.”
Fergus glanced to the boy, who was visibly listening.“Then you must appeal to the king for sanctuary and to the bishop to have your match annulled.”
“I thought you would aid me.”
“You were wrong.”
Anger simmered in her gaze, but Fergus did not care.He stepped out of the hut, pausing to turn back and meet the fury in Isobel’s eyes.“Even if I were inclined to assist an old friend, your rudeness to my wife since your arrival would kill that impulse.Farewell, Isobel.”
“Farewell!”she echoed in outrage.“Your wife?”She lunged after him and drew him to a halt, her words falling in an angry torrent.“Just because you have a Saracen whore in your bed does not mean that your obligations to me are done.We were betrothed, Fergus.”
“And you chose to wed another.That is an effective means of ending a betrothal.”He shook off her grip.“Godspeed to you, Isobel.Do not be so fool as to return again without your husband.”
