By the time he was dressed, they had decided that there was little that they could do. A more watchful guard would be kept and a search begun. It satisfied none of them but it was all that could be done. As the MacRoths started to return to their rooms, Iain went in search of Alexander. Later he would seek an audience with the king. He doubted that either man could do much, but now Islaen's life was also in danger and Iain wished to leave no possibility for her increased safety unexamined.
Islaen woke to find her brother Nathan sprawled at her side. “Where has Iain gone? He was hurt."
Nathan rose and poured her some wine. “'Tis surprising he was here at all. That mad mon could weel have found ye alone had your husband nay crawled back here from his whore's bed."
After taking a refreshing drink of wine, Islaen said, “He didnae bed her."
"Lass,” he sat down by her side, “we all saw him leave with the woman."
"Aye, but he didnae bed her. He told me."
"And ye believe him?"
"Aye. I willnae tell ye all he said for ‘tis not really your concern but t'was enough for me to ken that he spoke true."
"He meant to."
"Aye. He said as much. He stayed true to me, though. ‘Tis no small thing."
"Nay, I can see that,” Nathan agreed reluctantly.
She could see that he would be slower to forgive than she would, though, so she adroitly changed the subject. After finding out what would be done about MacLennon she sent Nathan after Meg. Firmly ignoring the woman's disapproval, Islaen got dressed and went in search of Iain. She wanted to be sure that he was not pushing himself beyond his strength.
To her dismay, she found Lady Mary. Seeing the beauty of the woman Islaen felt a pang of doubt, then shook it away. She had no reason at all to doubt Iain's words. She would not let her fears make her mistrust him. Whatever Lady Mary said, Islaen would choose to believe Iain. Islaen did wish, however, that the woman had not towed Lady Constance along to witness whatever the confrontation resulted in.
"Have ye lost your husband,” Lady Mary smiled coldly, “again?"
"'Tis a big place. I presume ye havenae seen him."
"Not since last night—in my chambers."
"Och, weel, I am after more than a quick peek at his backside as he leaves me."
"Ah, so he told you that we did naught and ye, like a dutiful wife, believed him."
"Aye, I believe him and, an I didnae have more important business to attend to, I would look close at why ye wish me to think otherwise. Adultery is a thing to hide as the shameful sin it is, not something to boast about."
"Iain said he didnae bed this woman?” Lady Constance demanded.
Even as Islaen wondered of what possible concern it could be to Lady Constance, Lady Mary laughed shortly, “She but says that to save face. And what husband would not lie? Iain but decided that t'was too early to tell her about me, ‘tis all."
"M'lady, an he took ye t'was but the briefest of tussles, nay more than a quick toss up of your skirts and a hasty rut. ‘Tis all he had time for atween the time I saw him walk away with ye to your chambers and when he returned to me. I think I will believe what Iain said, that he couldnae bed ye. Iain has his faults, as does any mon, but he doesnae lie.” Thoroughly disgusted, Islaen started to walk away.
"Nay, MacLagan doesnae lie,” Lady Constance said coldly. “Ye do, though, m'lady Mary. Ye didnae win the wager. I will have my coin back."
"Ye will believe that scrawny fool?” Lady Mary screeched.
Islean hurried away from the resultant squabble. She felt sickened by the women. It seemed distastefully cold to her that they would turn the destruction of a marriage into a matter for a wager. Islaen felt a real need to leave the court and all its leeches and sycophants. She wondered if she could convince Iain to speed up their departure.
Inwardly, she grimaced as she had to accept the fact that even though she might convince him to leave now, they would be back. Iain was his clan's representative at court, their ear to all the intrigues and possible benefits. She would just have to become hardened to the ways of the court as she did not intend to let him travel to such a pit of immorality without her. Islaen wondered how some of the men could look their wives in the eyes when they arrived home after the debauched way they had carried on.
Meg finally caught up with her and forced her to go and rest. Since she had just discovered that Iain was closeted with the king and her leg was throbbing some, she let Meg bully her into a rest. She was dismayed, however, when she not only fell asleep but did not wake until very late, the sun having clearly set a while ago.
Dressing quickly, she started towards the hall, sure that she would find Iain there. Concentrating upon getting there as quickly as possible she did not see Lord Fraser until she nearly bumped into him. Hastily taking several steps backward she noticed several things that filled her with dismay. There was no one about and Lord Fraser looked decidedly drunk.
"All alone? No hulking protectors about?” He began to advance upon her. “I have been waiting for just such a moment. I am nay as great a fool as young Ronald MacDubh. Attacking ye afore all in court was madness. They have banished him, ye ken."
"Nay, I gave no more thought to the rogue after Alexander took him away.” She tried to elude his advance but was finding it difficult, the corrider being too narrow for any good evasive movements. “Now, if ye will but move aside...."
