Isla frowned, wiping her tears away. “Only that it didnae work between them… having much tae do with his constant demands for perfection, if I were tae venture a guess.”
“Ye’re not far wrong in that,” Moira conceded. “However, there are many here who say that he had deep feelings for her…that he bitterly regrets that their betrothal ended, and wishes he might somehow put things back together again with her. That perhaps he continues tae believe a union with that clan would be stronger than one forged between the Oliphants and the MacDonells.”
The significance of these words slowly crept into Isla’s heart like rows of ants marching over a windowsill. “Surely you dinnae mean tae suggest that… after I told Laird Alex the truth, he then betrayed my trust? That he is the reason everyone knows about it now?”
“I cannae say any such thing for certain,” Moira replied quickly, holding her hands up. “However, if he did intend tae purposely end his engagement tae ye while seeming blameless himself, might that nae be the surest method for him tae do so?”
Yes, that logic was difficult for Isla to fight against. Still, the sheer hideous betrayal of such a prospect was like a hatchet buried in her chest.
She had to know for certain. And the only way to do that, it seemed to her, was to confront Alex about it face to face.
17
As it turned out, there was no need for Isla to seek Alex out. Shortly after Moira had been dismissed, the laird entered Isla’s chamber, his expression stern.
“I understand that this has all been a shock tae ye,” he rumbled, “but I am nae accustomed tae having people flee from an audience with me without my leave…”
“I dinnae much care what you may be ‘accustomed’ tae or not!” Even as she spoke these words, Isla was surprised by her own tone. She had largely been at the mercy of Alex’s temper since her arrival, but now her own pain and anger were rising up within her. If their betrothal was damaged beyond repair—as it now seemed to be—then she had no more reason to push down her own emotions out of respect for his.
No, now it washerturn to demand honest answers, and she meant to have them no matter what it took.
Alex’s eyebrows went up. He, too, was unprepared for such a vehement response, and it seemed to have knocked him back on his heels a bit. “Whatdid you say?”
“You are nae the only wounded party in this, Laird Alex!” she exploded. “Indeed, the more I consider it, the more I cometae wonder whether there has been any truth tae anything ye have ever told me, right up tae this very moment! So you can bloody well save yer indignation!”
“How dare you speak tae me this way?” he challenged. “When it isyourpast actions that have brought us to this sorry state, nae mine?”
“And what ofyourpast?” she countered. “With Lady Romilly MacGregor?”
Now he appeared to be thoroughly confused, though Isla knew that his indignation might be an act, based upon what Moira had told her.
This prospect only infuriated her more.
She had been sent here, under extreme duress, to participate in a marriage of convenience. That had been awful enough, but now to have to deal with all of this horrid uncertainty and intrigue? It was more than she could bear.
“We were engaged tae be married, and then we were not,” he answered stoically. “Beyond that, I dinnae take your meaning in the slightest.”
“There are those who say your affections for her never abated!” Isla went on. “I told you of my previously-concealed truth, and, after the requisite yelling and raging that would be expected of you, after making such a grand show of forgiveness, after swearingmetae secrecy, suddenly everyone in the castle knows of it?”
He barked out an incredulous laugh. “Do you seriously contend that I would make a fool of myself by spreading such information to those around me?”
“A temporary loss of face, in order tae secure what you truly wanted?” she accused. “Aye, from a warrior and tactician such as yourself, I could easily imagine such a thing! You, who insist over and over that you must do anything and everything tae strengthen and protect your clan! If you still felt that alliancewith the MacGregors was a better path tae that, then I have little doubt that you would shame me publicly… all while doing little damage tae your own reputation! You have destroyed me, Laird Alex, do you not see that? With this deception and manipulation, you may get what you want, but in doing so, my name shall be dragged through the mud! My family and clan will be mired in shame, and I shall never be betrothed tae another!”
“Then at least those future suitors will be spared the indignity I have endured since your arrival,” he shot back, “of having a betrothed who keeps such secrets from them in the first place!”
Isla felt as though she had been slapped across the face. To her, his loathsome words were every bit as good as a confession, and she could endure his presence no more.
“All of this,” she whispered, her voice breaking as more tears came, “when you could have simply told me you did not wish tae continue our engagement, and asked me tae leave of my own accord. All of this humiliation and hurt, all for nothing but your own selfishness and spite. Leave me in peace now, I beg of you, before you do further damage to me.”
He stood awkwardly for several more moments, as though ready to challenge her dismissal, to insist upon some more conclusive resolution to all of these insults and accusations. But he was clearly overwhelmed as well, and so he turned and stormed out of the chamber, leaving Isla alone to weep.
As it turned out, however, Isla did not remain solitary for long.
Moira appeared in the doorway soon after, looking even more worried than before. “Can I do anything for you, my lady?”
Isla sniffled, trying to compose herself. “Aye, in fact, you can. Tell me, Moira, this suspicion you spoke of among the servants, that Alex remains infatuated with his former betrothed… what is the source of it?”
Moira looked embarrassed by the question, but dutifully summoned an answer nonetheless. “‘Tis long been said that upon certain appointed nights, Laird Alex sneaks out of the castle tae meet with Lady Romilly ‘neath the moonlight on the moors. It is said that there are many who have followed him on such nights, and witnessed it firsthand!”
