Page 11 of In Bed with a Scot

Arran had arranged for hot water to be brought up, along with anything else that she might need. Her brother was a kind and considerate host. Once the lads carrying the water had left, Isabelle shut the door, barring it from the inside. She disrobed, then stepped into the tub, submersing herself in the watery warmth. It was a pleasant sensation after being in the saddle for so long. Being back home was a complicated mixture of emotions. On the one hand, it was the safest that she had felt in many years. On the other hand, it was even more dangerous than her husband’s lands. If her husband did not get the money that he wanted, and he told any one of her father’s former men the truth, she could be dead by morning and there would be nothing that she could do to stop it.

Sighing, she sank further down into the water. She scrubbed the road from her skin and hair, then rinsed the soap away. She did not linger naked in the tub for fear that her husband would return and claim his conjugal rights. Standing up, she stepped out of the tub and dried herself with the cloth that her brother’s men had left for her. Once she was dressed, she sat by the fireplace to allow her hair to dry as she brushed it out. She savored the brief moment of peace.

When Bain returned to the room, he did not look pleased. “What happened?” Isabelle asked, unable to bear the uncertainty of what the future might hold. He had been gone for a lot longer than she had anticipated.

“We were nae able tae speak as Arran was called away tae deal with clan business. I will try again after the evening meal.” His tone stated that he felt that he had been insulted, but that he had let it pass for now in view of his more pressing need for money. “Ye will dae yer best tae remind him of his love fer ye tae put him in mind of his duty towards ye and yer husband as his kin.” He came over and lifted a handful of her hair from her shoulders. “Make certain that ye look yer best this evening. Remember that ye represent the Clan Sutherland now, nae the Clan MacKay. Me interests are yer only interests.”

Isabelle nodded, not daring to refuse his demand. “I will dae what I can fer the sake of the clan.”

Bain nodded, dropped her hair back onto her shoulder, then walked over to the window. He stared out at the courtyard below. “I see why yer braither was called away. He appears tae have more guests and one of them is a bonnie lass. I would leave my company too fer the likes of her.”

Isabelle rolled her eyes, safe to do so with his back to her.

“She looks a wee bit like ye,” he murmured in observation.

Isabelle’s ears picked up at this. “Oh?”

“Aye, she has yer eyes, but her hair is as golden as the wheat in the sun before harvest.”

“That sounds like me cousin,” Isabelle noted. “I have nae seen her in years.”

“She is welcome on Sutherland lands any time,” Bain replied with lust in his voice. “But she can leave the large lad that she has brought with her behind.”

Isabelle bit her tongue, but she made a silent promise to keep her cousin as far away from her husband as she could. No woman deserved to be forced to endure his attentions. “I will inform her of yer invitation.”

“Dae that. Perhaps I will have both of ye in me bed at the same time,” Bain smiled, pleased at the idea.

Isabelle gritted her teeth.

Over me dead body…

CHAPTER FOUR

Madden and Keelin rode into the courtyard of the MacKay stronghold. Madden had never stepped foot on MacKay lands before and was pleased by what he saw. From all appearances, the MacKay people were well cared for. Arran MacKay had done well for his people since becoming laird. “Keelin,” a man’s voice greeted from behind them.

Madden and Keelin turned to find a large man with long dark hair walking towards them with a broad smile on his face. “Lorcan,” Keelin replied with a smile, dismounting her horse and stepping forward to greet the big man with a hug. Madden dismounted and handed their horses to a waiting stable hand.

“And who is this?” Lorcan asked, eyeing Madden up and down with suspicion.

“This is Madden Kinnaird, warrior and advisor fer the Laird Hamilton. Madden, this is Lorcan MacKay, warrior and advisor fer the Laird MacKay. Ye are the same.” She looked back and forth between the two large men. “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph but ye could pass as twins, one as light as the sun, the other as dark as night.”

Each man stood eyeing the other for a moment. “I have heard of ye,” Lorcan admitted, with respect in his voice.

“Dinnae believe everything that ye hear,” Madden offered in response.

“I dinnae.” Each man continued to take stock of the other for a while longer.

“If ye are done measuring each other’s taugers, I would like tae see me cousin,” Keelin interrupted in jest.

The men exchanged a smile. “The mouth on this one,” Madden shook his head.

“Aye, she has been this way since she was but a wee lassie toddling around after Arran and I. She was nae bigger than a sword the first time that she picked one up and near scared her poor sweet maither in tae her grave,” Lorcan replied chuckling. Having decided that they both cared for Keelin, they fell into step together, entering the hall.

“Where is Arran?” Keelin asked, searching the hall for her cousin.

“I am here,” Arran answered from behind them having just entered the hall himself. “I am sorry that I was nae here tae greet ye upon yer arrival cousin, but me sister and her husband paid me an unexpected visit.”

“Yer sister is here?” Keelin lit up with excitement. “I have nae seen her in so long.”