Isabella could not countenance several days of such pity.
“Nay. ’Tis kind of you, Frida. But a detour to Greenock would only slow your journey and I know how you long to be back with Callum and the children.” The words fell smoothly from her lips.
Frida inclined her head with a small smile. “I cannot deny that I have missed them all.”
Envy tugged at Isabella’s heart. “Anyway, ’tis all arranged. I am to meet an escort party from Greenock at Ember Hall. Our brother, Jonah, is expecting me.”
“Of course,” Frida shook her head in wonderment. “’Tis strange to think that Jonah is now the man of the house. He only ever came as a guest, but somehow he never left.”
Isabella rubbed at her arms and looked away. “Aye, well, with Esme and Adam so oft at Wolvesley.”
“So Mother can help with the twins,” Frida interrupted, smiling fondly.
“Of course.” Isabella smiled in return, though her smile was rather fixed. “I believe that Jonah has the house half closed up. He has only kept a skeleton staff.”
A thoughtful expression crossed Frida’s blue eyes. “I do not like to think of you journeying so far, with only our intractable brother and a skeleton staff to greet you.”
“What do you imagine could go amiss?” Isabella asked lightly.
Frida opened her arms. “Who knows, as far as Jonah is concerned?”
“All shall be well, I am certain.” Isabella grew weary of the conversation. With so much of her future unsettled andunknown, the prospect of breaking her journey at Ember Hall was the very last thing she wished to debate.
“I must give you a key.” Frida nodded emphatically. “That will make me easier in my mind.”
“Sister, there is no need.” Isabella shook her head, laughter on her lips.
But Frida was not to be reasoned with. “I always carry one, though Ember Hall has not been my home for some years now. You must take it. Put it in your luggage if not on your person.”
“My luggage is being sent on ahead,” Isabella protested. “I will only take what few things I require for the journey in some saddlebags.”
“Then put it in your saddlebags. I will give it to your maid to pack. Please, Bella, do this one thing for me.”
“If you insist.” Isabella forced herself to smile through her mounting frustration.
“I do.” Frida walked lightly across the room and took Isabella’s hands in hers. “Though the fact remains, I am sorry to leave you, sister.”
The warmth in her touch and in her eyes was enough to move Isabella to tears once again. Instead, she leaned forward, pecked her sister on the cheek and hastily withdrew, tightening her shawl. “Mayhap we will visit one another in Scotland.”
“I will make certain of it.” Frida paused. “Will Edward spare a suitable escort to see you safely to Ember Hall?”
“Of course,” Isabella replied airily, though in truth she doubted Edward would spare her many of his men. “Do not worry about me, Frida. I will be perfectly fine.”
She would have to be, for she had no other choice.
Chapter Three
The winter sunwas low and bright, making Hamish squint as he kept his silent vigil atop the fortified wall. This was farming country and acres of pasture stretched before him. Some miles ahead, undulating green fields met with a dark line of ancient woodland in the dip of a shallow valley. If Hamish’s suspicions were correct—which they nearly always were—this was the point at which his quarry would emerge.
A gust of wind stirred the folds of his heavy cloak. Beside him, Aleric swore.
“What is it?” Hamish did not lift his gaze from the bare trees.
“Something sharp flew into my eye.” Alaric threw back his hood and rubbed at his face. “’Tis an unholy place we have come to.”
Hamish grunted. ’Twas true, they had crossed over the border into England. But somehow these rolling hills and vast skies put him in mind of home. Even now, with his body braced for battle, part of him was conscious of the silvery song of a ruddock drifting over from the house’s gardens.
A nice house it was, standing four square and strong with mullioned windows and neatly tended lawns. He had not allowed his men to cross the threshold but he guessed, if the situation were different, therein they would find comfortable furnishings and a warm welcome. Mayhap a smiling serving maid offering warmed wine and a hearty broth.
