Page 16 of In Bed with a Scot

Isabelle searched her mind for an excuse to leave the room. She needed to speak with Madden in private, but she did not know how she was going to get away from Bain without him being suspicious. She thought back to Keelin’s invitation to share a room. She doubted that Bain would agree to that, but he might agree to allow her to spend time with Keelin. “Keelin invited me tae join her in her room fer a cup of tea before bed. She wanted to speak with me about Edith’s new bairn. Would ye care tae join me?” Isabelle asked the question knowing what the answer would be.

Bain snorted. “I cannae think of a more miserable way tae spend one’s night than drinking dirty water and listening tae women chatter like magpies.” His words had begun to slur together and within moments he was snoring.

Isabelle sighed with relief and quietly stepped out into the corridor, closing the door softly behind her. As Bain had entered the chamber with Isabelle, her usual guard was not outside the door. Slipping down the corridor, she prayed that none of the Sutherland men would see her. At the top of the stairs, she ran into one of the castle maids. “Cara!” Isabelle greeted her in surprise.

Cara MacIrving smiled and threw her arms around Isabelle’s shoulders. “Isabelle, I heard that ye had returned. I was with Gran when ye arrived and have nae returned until now.”

“How is yer gran?” Isabelle asked, genuine concern in her voice.

“She is as stubborn as ever she was,” Cara answered with a laugh, “but she cannae move about as well as she once did.”

“I will pay her a visit while I am here,” Isabelle promised.

“She would like that. It has been too long since we have laid eyes on ye.” Cara studied Isabelle’s face. “Ye look sad,” she observed. “Ye are nae happy. I can see it in yer eyes.”

Isabelle sighed. She had never been able to hide anything from Cara. They had grown up together, closer than sisters, but it had been many years since they had spoken a word to one another. Isabelle had not seen Cara since that fateful day when she and her parents had set out to visit the Laird Sutherland. Cara had tried to reach out to Isabelle, asking her if she would like her to come and be her lady’s maid, but Isabelle had refused. She had not wished to subject Cara to the likes of Bain Sutherland. She had also feared that given enough time, Cara would have unearthed the truth about what had happened that fateful day.

“Married life is nae always kind,” she admitted.

“Shall I slip some poison in his tea?” Cara offered, only half in jest.

“He does nae drink tea, but I appreciate the thought,” Isabelle replied with a smile.

Cara shrugged her shoulders. “The offer stands.”

“Ye can help me with a rather sensitive matter,” Isabelle replied, lowering her voice even further.

“Oh?” Cara leaned forward, interest sparkling in her eyes.

“Ye can show me where Lorcan’s room is.”

“Lorcan?” Cara looked Isabelle up and down in disbelief. “Ye are having an affair with Lorcan? I did nae see that one coming.”

Isabelle shook her head. “I am nae having an affair with Lorcan. I need to speak with the guest who is staying with Lorcan in his room.”

“Ah, Madden Kinnaird the renowned warrior that everyone is chattering about. He has all of the lassies of the clan in a fever.” Cara studied her face for a brief moment. Isabelle avoided her gaze. “I see,” Cara mused.

Isabelle shook her head. “Ye dinnae see anything,” she advised with an edge of warning to her voice. “I simply need tae speak with him. Can ye take me tae his room or nae?”

“Aye,” Cara nodded in agreement realizing the seriousness of the matter. “Follow me.” She took Isabelle’s hand and dragged her along behind her as she made her way down the stairs, turned into another corridor off of the great hall, and down towards the unwed warrior’s quarters. Most of the men slept in one large room together on pallets, but Lorcan had been granted the honor of his own small room towards the end of the hall. Isabelle was fairly certain that the room had once been used as a storage room when she was younger. “This is Lorcan’s room. Dae ye wish fer me tae remain with ye?”

Isabelle shook her head. “Nay, I must speak with Madden in private.” She squeezed Cara’s hand in gratitude, then let it go.

“As ye wish,” Cara nodded, giving Isabelle a sympathetic look. “I will be in the kitchens if ye need me.”

“I thank ye, Cara.”

Cara smiled and disappeared back down the corridor.

Isabelle squared her shoulders, then raised her hand to knock on the door. There was no answer. Isabelle knocked again, but there was still no answer. She pushed on the door and peered into the room. It was empty. Frowning, Isabelle turned and walked back down the corridor. She thought about where he might have gone.

Lorcan is on duty. Perhaps Madden will be with him.

Adjusting course, she made her way outside, clinging to the shadows as she investigated what men were on the wall.

Madden’s voice cut through the night air causing her to pause and listen. “I think that I will go for a ride. The night is bonnie, and the loch is calling tae me.”

“I will inform the men tae allow ye tae come and go as ye please,” Lorcan’s voice answered.