Ire flashed in Isla’s eyes, and she stood up so sharply that she overturned her plate. “I shall be ‘reasonable’ by excusing myself from this table before you provoke me into saying something that might thoroughly banish any chance of a wedding between us!”
She stormed out, once against leaving him feeling befuddled. All he had done was express his desire to help the MacLeods with the same fervor he’d exhibited when assisting his own clansmen! How could she have found that objectionable? He’d practically bent over backward for her, and she still refused to make any effort toward a meeting of the minds!
Brodie did not wish to consider dissolving the agreement between his clan and theirs. But to enter into a contract that would mean spending the rest of his life with a woman who did not respect him?
Brodie always knew that aggression should not be exercised on women; that was a sign of weakness, not strength. But he needed to make his future wife understand how things were, and he knew no other way.
When he gave serious thought to the lifetime of tedious arguments such a marriage would result in, his head began to ache.
Isla went to her bedchamber, flopped facedown on her bed, wept for a while at the utter injustice of her present state, and then called for Margaret. The maid appeared within minutes, and from the concerned look on her face, Isla had no doubt believing the girl had been standing at attention next to her door for hours, patiently waiting to be summoned.
“I take it your breakfast with young Master MacKenzie did not go well?” Margaret asked, her eyes brimming with sympathy.
Isla was suddenly aware of how puffy and red her own eyes must have been from crying, and she nodded sadly, telling Margaret all that transpired from her point of view.
Upon hearing, Margaret consoled Isla, but inwardly, she could not help but admit to herself that she admired Brodie’s point of view. She was hardly surprised that Isla had balked at the idea of building a watermill—or anything, really—but neither did she blame her. Margaret knew that Isla was not a bad person. Such things simply weren’t her way.
Still, Margaret wished thatshecould have helped Brodie and the others build the mill. The thought of participating in such a useful and communal activity made her heart swell.
“I should be riding with Andrew instead,” Isla told Margaret.
“Begging your pardon,” the maid replied timidly, “but I think you know what a dreadful idea that is. You have been promised to Brodie, and to allow yourself to be courted thus by another would dishonor both clans.”
Isla scoffed, rolling her eyes dramatically. “For goodness’ sake, Margaret! When I said ‘riding with him,’ I meant on horseback, nothing more!”
Margaret blushed a deep crimson. The double meaning had not even occurred to her, and she had a strong suspicion that Isla knew that. Once more, her friend was teasing her and reveling in her reaction. She knew it was not meant maliciously.
“What is the harm in riding with the one I have known since childhood?” Isla went on innocently.
“You are no longer children,” the maid pointed out, “and the engagement complicates things. And I believe you know that.”
Isla sighed. “And if I wed Andrew? What then? Would my father truly disown me for marrying a good man from a fine family? It’s not as if I wished to marry a stableboy!”
“Myself, I have known plenty of stable hands who would make worthy enough husbands,” Margaret answered wryly. “Still, your point is well taken. But before you do something rash, perhaps you might just give it one more try? Mayhap you could speak with your father and seek his advice? Surely you cannot be the first girl to find yourself in such a position.”
Isla knitted her brow anxiously. “I am not certain that would be the best course of action. My father can be a prickly one and not always inclined to listen.”
Margaret took Isla’s hand, looking into her eyes intently. “You are the daughter of Seamus MacLeod. I freely admit that it is an honor I do not share. However, I have been a servant to the man for years, and I feel I’ve come to know him well. I believe him to be a good man. I have no doubt that he wishes nothing but the best for you in arranging this marriage. And he will want you to be happy, more than anything else. You must confide in him and seek his counsel. You owe him that, at least, before you consider embarking on any venture that might hurt him.”
Isla smiled ruefully. “You think I am capable of running off and marrying Andrew without my father’s blessing?”
“I believe you to be capable of anything you put your mind to,” Margaret answered. “I only ask that you put your mind to it a bit more before making your choice.”
Isla appeared to give this some thought, then nodded and threw her arms around her maid. “Thank you for your advice, Margaret. You are right as ever.”
Except before I do that,Isla thought,I shall have one more ride with Andrew…in secret so that no one need get into trouble. I owe that to myself and to him. If, upon looking into his eyes, I find that I cannot bear to wed anyone but him, I will be armed with that knowledge when I confront my father, and I shall stand my ground before him, no matter the consequence.
