12
Erik scanned the crowd of people in the great hall, his hands clasped behind his back. In honor of the visiting laird, Edna was throwing a huge feast, opening the keep’s doors and inviting in her clan.
As a result, there were revelers everywhere, the ale and whiskey flowing freely, and Erik couldn’t see anything over the crush of people. While he knew that it was hard to protect the Lady this way, Leeth had placed warriors near Edna with one sole purpose in mind: Protect her at all costs.
It would have been something that he would have done himself.
Clearing his throat, he moved through the throng of people, finding himself missing his own keep, his own people, his laird. Two more days and Erik would be heading back to the McGregor border, leaving this place and its people.
And Finley. He would be leaving Finley as well. He wasn’t so certain he liked that idea. After earlier, Finley was becoming someone he cared for, someone that had made him feel things he hadn’t felt since Isabel.
Feelings he never thought he would feel again. It complicated a hell of a lot for Erik, but there was no doubt that he would be returning home.
How together he would be...well, Erik wasn’t sure about that either.
“Erik.”
Erik turned to find Isabel standing before him, causing his throat to bob at the sight of her. She was dressed as a lady of the keep should be, in a green velvet dress that showed off the creamy skin he knew far too well. Erik noted that she was wearing long sleeves this evening, likely to hide the bruises she had shown him earlier, and he swallowed hard.
“Isabel.”
She looked around them before reaching out to touch his arm. “Can we...I would like tae speak tae ye, Erik.”
He should say no and walk away. She was not his to protect any longer and hadn’t been for quite some time.
But those large eyes looked at him with such hope that Erik found himself giving her a curt nod instead and placing his arm out for her to take hold. They moved through the crowd of people until he found an alcove off the great hall, ducking them in.
“Wot is it?” he asked harshly, dropping his arm.
Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. “I, I just wish tae say that I understand yer hesitation tae help me,” she started. “I’m another man’s problem, I know that.” She drew in a breath, placing her hand on his arm. “But ye have always been mah savior, and I dinnae know where else tae turn.”
Her words seemed to burst through the walls he had placed up around his heart when she left, vowing no woman would ever breach them.
“I dinnae wot ye want mah tae do, lass.”
She gave him a tremendous smile, reminding him of the lass that had stolen his heart long ago. “I need for ye tae discuss this with the laird. I dinnae want tae do it mahself.” She looked away, swallowing hard. “’Tis not going tae be easy for me if he finds out.”
Erik let out a slow breath. “I can get ye help,” he told her. If Edna wouldn’t help Isabel, then Kaiden would, especially if Erik asked him to do so. Kaiden didn’t know anything about Isabel.
Only Finley did.
At the thought of her name, Erik realized he needed to find her, to apologize for the way he had acted toward her today. She had caught him at a time when he was the most vulnerable, and he had told her things about himself that he wouldn’t normally have.
If she knew that he was going to speak to Edna himself, then perhaps she wouldn’t do so.
“I have tae go,” Erik responded. “I will speak tae her.”
Isabel moved closer, her hand sliding up his chest. “Thank ye, Erik. I knew I could count on ye.”
Erik cleared his throat as he looked down at her. “Ye always could, Isabel.”
Her lips parted, and a fleeting thought about kissing her crossed his mind before he moved it away. She was a married woman, even if she was married to a brute and what they had shared was long ago.
He no longer wanted her in that manner.
So, he removed her hand from his chest, giving it a light squeeze. “Give me time and I will ensure yer safety.”
Isabel’s tongue darted out to wet her lips, her eyes growing soft. “There’s a warrior,” she stated quickly, her eyes darting around. “One that is loyal tae mah husband. I overheard them discussing mah death tonight.”
