"Aye, true enough.” He grew serious. “As I said, I am nay sure why I didnae tell ye. I have e'er thought ‘tis best to ken a threat e'en if the kenning brings some pain. Ye need to ken a threat if ye are to protect yourself from it."
"Do ye really think he will do it? Mayhaps he but boasts and rattles an empty scabbard."
"He is a mon to do that, but we cannae just assume that he will this time."
She reached across the table and patted his hand. “We are troubled by a madman and a fool. They see wrongs where there were none and wish to blame someone for what wasnae their fault. Ye didnae hurl Fraser on top of me and I didnae lure the fool on. Ye must cease to blame yourself for what isnae your doing and what ye have no control o'er. I put no blame upon ye."
He took her hand in his and kissed her palm, smiling faintly when she trembled. “Ye are of a verra forgiving nature."
She smiled and shook her head in silent denial. “What do we do about Fraser?"
"Naught, curse the fool's eyes,” growled a voice from the doorway.
Islaen gasped when she saw her brother Robert standing beside Phelan. Giving a soft cry of delight, she raced over to him and was caught up in his arms. She flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, then giggled as he strode over to the table still holding her, then set her down back in her seat.
For a while she was allowed to dominate Robert, plaguing him with questions. As she did so, the page, David, arrived with Iain's bread and cheese. The boy then hastily left to get some more as well as some more wine.
"Now, lass, if ye are satisfied that we have all managed to survive without ye,” Robert drawled, winking at Islaen, “I would be pleased to pass a word or twa with your husband."
"Weel, I will leave ye to it,” she said as she stood up, “and see that ye have a place to bed down for the night."
"I will be here for more than a night, lass. Fither says I am to set here until I can tell him that both Fraser and MacLennon feed the worms. T'would be worth me verra life an I return afore that."
Nodding in understanding, Islaen hurried away to find Storm. She hoped that Robert's presence and his insistence upon staying would not anger Iain.
"Ye think I cannae take care of her?” Iain growled as soon as Islaen was gone.
Robert shook his head. “Nay. Doubt of your ability isnae what brings me here. ‘Tis worry. When so many swords point at one who is so dear to ye, ye want to be there e'en if ye ken weel that ye arenae needed."
Iain relaxed and smiled faintly. “Anither sword on our side cannae hurt. Nay, nor anither pair of eyes watching the shadows."
"T'was sore tempting to end the threat of that fool Fraser with a dirk in the night."
Phelan laughed. “Alex was right about the roar. Phew, Iain, I ne'er saw such a display of tempers."
Grinning, Robert nodded. “We were all ready to ride straight to Fraser and cut the dog to pieces but the women blocked the door out o’ the hall. Is Alex still here?"
"Nay, he left this morning."
"'Tis best. I wasnae too certain I liked that mon sniffing round my sister."
"I wasnae too certain I liked him sniffing round my wife,” Iain drawled and Robert laughed.
"Come, tell me what ye are doing, though by God's toe-nails it seems we arenae allowed to do much."
Discussing the danger he and Islaen faced and what little could be done about it was the last thing Iain wanted to do. He had used the excuse of needing supplies to come to Caraidland but what he really sought was time alone with Islaen, in their chambers, naked. However, there was no way he could say that to her brother so, with an inner grimace of frustration, he entered into a rather fruitless discussion with Robert and tried very hard not to think of Islaen.
As the day wore on into the night, Iain began to wonder if he would ever get time alone with Islaen. His family soon gathered to meet this representative of Islaen's large family. As always, they wished to hear any news Robert might have that they had not heard yet. The food was good and the company enjoyable, but it was not what he needed or wanted. He found himself watching Islaen more often than he liked and grew a little angry at the way she seemed to pull him to her despite what he thought best for both of them.
"There, ye see?” Storm murmured, leaning close to Islaen. “Iain was home early this day and did not rush ye off to bed."
"He had no time. Robert arrived and wished to talk. Iain couldnae say, ‘Excuse me, Robert, but I really must go and bed your sister. ‘Tis why I came home.’”
"Oh Islaen."
"Look at how he stares at me and tell me that that is not what he thinks on.” When Storm looked, then blushed, Islaen asked, “What troubles ye? I have seen Tavis look at ye thus. Are ye no used to it?"
"Well, Tavis does not look at me just so."
