“Who has seen it?” Isla demanded.
The servant girl hesitated, twisting her hands in front of her as though she had just been asked to shove one of them into a roaring fire. Her mouth pursed, but after several moments, she forced herself to respond. “Lachlan, for one. He confided it tae me. Indeed, this very morning, he told me that such a rendezvous is planned for tonight.”
“Will he take me there,” Isla asked, “so that I may witness it for myself?”
Moira’s eyes widened to the size of platters. “Ye must be mad, my lady! Tae ask Lachlan tae risk such a thing? Why, if Laird Alex found out…”
“If he finds out, it shall be because I confront him while he’s at it, and he need never know Lachlan was involved… or you either, for that matter. Lachlan need only take me to the place you speak of, and then he may ride back tae the castle unseen. I shall claim that I had my own suspicions, and followed Laird Alex on my own.” She put her hand on Moira’s insistently. “However, I must know the truth for myself, Moira, so that I may know what tae do next. Please.”
Moira shook her head back and forth slowly for several moments, as though wondering whether Isla was indeed some sort of lunatic for making such a demand. Finally, she relented. “I will make the request of Lachlan, my lady. But I must tell ye, I doubt he will agree tae it. In which case, I’ll nay have ye pressure him! His life as a soldier means the world tae him, and I’d nay have him jeopardize that, no matter the reason!”
Isla held up a placating hand. “Ye have my word on that. I have no wish tae make life harder for anyone. I simply must know what sort of man I am betrothed to… and whether I can remain so.”
As Moira took her leave, Isla realized that she didn’t entirely know which would be the worse outcome: If Lachlan refused to take her to the appointed spot, or if he agreed instead. The uncertainty was humiliating, but seeing it confirmed would be all the worse.
Why had she been so foolish as to reveal her secret to him? If she had only waited a while longer, then seeing his infidelity would have been enough to extricate her from the betrothal, and then her unfortunate history might have remained hidden. She’d have had the perfect opportunity to end the engagement.
But she had told him. Indeed, doing so had meant a great deal to her. Now that she had shared such intimate details with him, she had been looking forward to their wedding.
It seemed as though the worst of all possible outcomes were crashing down upon her head at once. It felt like more than she could bear. She could not eat, or sleep, or even cry. All she could do was stare at the blank wall of her chamber, and wait.
She didn’t have to wait long.
There was an uneasy knock at the door, and Isla nearly jumped out of her skin, thinking that it was Alex come to fight again, or worse, offer pitiful excuses.
Instead, she looked up and saw Lachlan lingering.
“Moira has… conveyed yer request,” he began, swallowing hard. “Surely you cannae wish tae see such a thing for yourself?”
Isla stood up from the bed, drawing herself up to full height. She hoped that if her presence seemed commanding enough, it would make him feel as though he had no right to refuse her. She knew the odds were against this approach working, but she could not think of anything else to do. “Aye, I must. I cannaewed a man who would do such a thing, and I cannae end the engagement without having seen the proof of it firsthand. Lachlan, I know it is no small thing tae ask of you, but ye must assist me in this.”
His expression was pained, his posture conflicted. “Er, ‘tis only that, if I were tae be discovered bringing ye there… it would likely lead tae my banishment, or worse! Might I nae simply provide you with the location, so that you may investigate for yourself?”
“I’m afraid that simply will not do,” she informed him, trying to keep her tone as imperious as possible—even though she felt closer to breaking down with each passing moment. “If I am unable tae find it based on your instructions, I might find myself exposed. And I cannae let him see me at it, at least nae until I’ve caught him in the act. Nay, Lachlan, you must guide me there yourself. Once you have, you may ride off again so you’ll nae be spotted.”
Lachlan shifted his weight nervously from one foot to the other, thinking it over. He hadn’t looked nearly so nervous as this when he’d been sparring with the other soldiers.
Isla gave him time. Though she was impatient for his answer, she did not wish to overplay her hand and tip him in the other direction.
Finally, he gave in. “Very well. Meet me at the stables just after sunset, and I’ll take you there. But I warn you, themomenthe’s within sight, I intend tae turn and head back here. As far as everyone else is concerned, I’ll have had no part in any of it!”
“Your secret shall be safe with me,” she assured him. “I have some practice at keeping them, as it happens.”
He nodded, though he didn’t seem especially at ease. Then he withdrew.
Isla spent the remainder of the day wandering outside the castle. She was not eager to be seen or spoken to, now thather secret had become common knowledge. Likewise, she had no desire to have another confrontation with Alex, for she was unwilling to face him again without first determining whether his continued association with Lady Romilly was true.
So she made herself as scarce as she could, and was grateful when night fell without anyone attempting to seek her out or speak to her. She made her way to the stable, and found Lachlan lurking outside of it.
“Come,” he urged, “I’ve saddled yer mare, and a horse for me as well. But we must be bloody quick about it, for I’ve nay good excuse tae offer as to what we’re up tae if anyone asks!”
Isla nodded briskly, mounted her horse, and followed him off into the night. There was no sign that anyone spotted them, and she thanked heaven for that.
They rode for over two hours, and as they did, Isla wondered what she would do if shedidfind Alex with Lady Romilly. She’d previously thought to walk up to him then and there, so he would be humiliated as she had been.
The more she thought about how that might play out, though, the less she found it appealed to her. Would she face Romilly as well? Did she have the emotional strength to rage at both of them, when she’d already been through so much? Or would she simply embarrass herself all the more by weeping and breaking down in front of them?
Perhaps the better way would be to simply observe them from a safe distance, just to confirm for herself that what she’d been told was true. Then she could spare herself the heartache of getting any closer, of seeing details that might be seared onto her brain forevermore. Yes, she would ride back instead and be gone before morning, leaving only a letter for him saying that she saw him with her own eyes.
