“Oh.” Isabella’s lips parted in surprise. Having only just found her sister, it seemed she was about to lose her again.
“I know. The timing could not be worse.” Esme shook her head regretfully. “He is correct, of course, we should not leave the hall empty. Look what has already happened.”
Her tone was light, but Isabella was not quite ready to laugh about her ordeal. Especially when Hamish’s fate was still unknown. To give herself time, she crossed to the long window and opened the shutters. Her bedchamber looked out over the fountain, with a view all the way to the rose gardens. But today, the predominant color was grey.
Grey clouds in the sky. Grey puddles stretching across the manicured paths.
It was not an outlook to inspire hope.
She crossed her arms over her chest to ward off a chill and turned back to her sister. “What about Jonah?”
Esme rolled her eyes. “Our enigmatic brother is as puzzling as ever. After so many years playing lord and master at Ember Hall, he now wishes to remain at Wolvesley. I cannot think whatis keeping him here.” Esme pulled at a loose thread on the bed blankets. “Of course, he refuses to explain his decision. But it means that Adam and I really have no choice but to return. Callum left the hall in Adam’s safe-keeping when he and Frida went to Scotland.”
“Of course.” Isabella smiled and nodded, whilst inside she wanted to beg her sister to stay. She returned to the bed and grasped Esme’s hands. “I am so pleased to see you, even if it is for such a short time.”
“You must visit us soon,” Esme insisted. “Or we will come to see you at Greenock. Or wherever you may be,” she amended, having glanced at Isabella’s face.
Isabella could only nod.
Wherever I may be.
She leaned over and hugged her sister. So much was unknown, but of one thing, she was certain. She would not allow her jealousy to drive a wedge between her and Esme any longer.
“But for now, there is much you need to tell me and we do not have long left to us.” Esme became brisk. “Is it true you were held prisoner by a wild highland warrior who murdered three men in cold blood?”
Isabella blanched. “Those are not the words I would use.”
She looked past Esme to the patterns of light on the plastered wall, and a memory stirred of last night. Her mother had also accused Hamish of murder.
Could it be so?
She closed her eyes. It was not a thought she wished to linger on.
Esme cleared her throat to recapture her attention. “Is it correct that e’en now, Tristan is interrogating your wild Scotsman in the dungeons?”
Isabella’s mouth opened and closed. “I don’t know.”
“Forsooth, I woke you myself. ’Twas a foolish question. But I hate to leave Wolvesley without understanding what has happened to you.” Esme sat sideways and looked meaningfully into her sister’s eyes. “You do have a story to tell me. I can sense it.” She reached out and grasped Isabella’s hands, holding them tighter when she tried to pull away. “Tell me,” she commanded.
The words bubbled up inside her and she had neither the strength nor the will to deny them. “I love him,” Isabella cried out. “Heaven help me, Esme, but I love my wild highlander. He is like no man I have e’er met.”
“You love him!” Esme shrieked so loudly that Isabella feared she would bring the maids running in. “I thought to hear a declaration of mere fancy. Butloveis so much better.”
“It is not.” Isabella shook her head soberly. “It is painful. Especially when there is so much against us. I am betrothed, and to Hamish’s sworn enemy at that.” Tears brimmed in her eyes and she fixed her gaze on a finely stitched tapestry hanging above the bed.
“These things are not important.” Esme smiled beatifically.
Isabella smoothed back a golden curl which had escaped her sister’s hair pins. “I am well aware that your love story ended well.”
“With much against us,” Esme interrupted.
“But that does not mean ’twill be the same for me.” Isabella twitched with frustration. Unable to sit still, she jumped off the bed and began to pace about the chamber. “Hamish’s lands and title have been requisitioned by the King. He has little to his name.”
“Adam had naught.”
Isabella flapped her hands at her sister. “Hamish has been imprisoned by our own brother.”
“The same brother who came to blows with Frida’s husband just days before blessing their union.” Esme smiled dreamily.“Love has the power to conquer all, Bella, you’ll see. Especially love that begins at Ember Hall.”
