Page 18 of In Bed with a Scot

“Why? What happened with the lass that has ye this way?”

Madden shook his head. “Dinnae fash. I will nae behave as I did last night again. I will be on me best behavior.”

Keelin sighed, eyeing him in assessment. “See that ye dae. As ye are clearly nae going tae tell me what happened, let us go and break the fast together.”

Madden arose, splashed water on his face, tied his hair up in a knot, then followed Keelin from the room. They walked together to the great hall where Lorcan met them at the doorway. “Did ye ever make it tae bed?” Madden asked.

Lorcan shook his head. “Nae me bed,” he answered with a smile of satisfaction.

Madden chuckled. “Good man,” he replied, clapping the other man on the shoulder. “Break the fast with us?”

Lorcan shook his head. “Arran has called me tae his side. He has a meeting with the Laird Sutherland.”

Keelin searched the room frowning. “Where is the Lady Sutherland?”

“She did nae come down this morning. She sent her regrets and begged the laird’s pardon as she was feeling unwell,” Lorcan explained.

“Should I go and look in on her?” Keelin asked. “Does she need a healer?”

Lorcan shook his head. “Her husband is with her now. I am certain that if she is in need of anything, he will tend tae her.”

Madden grunted in disagreement but said nothing. He hoped that her husband had not discovered her absence last evening and punished her for it. Madden considered checking in on her himself but knew how that would look.

It is nae me place. She is nae me woman.

“I will speak with ye both later. Perhaps we could take a dram together this evening.”

Madden nodded in agreement and Lorcan left the hall to join Arran in the library.

Keelin nudged Madden’s arm. “I am worried about Isabelle. I think that I should go and look in on her.”

“Lorcan said that her husband is with her. I dinnae believe it tae be wise tae interfere,” Madden advised.

Keelin gave him a questioning look. “What dae ye ken about their marriage?”

Madden shook his head. “I dinnae ken anything. It is only a feeling. I dinnae want ye anywhere near the Laird Sutherland without me there. I dinnae like the way that he looks at ye.”

“Looks at me?”

“Aye, he is a man who takes women whether they are willing or nae. I dinnae want ye tae be within arm’s reach of the man.”

Keelin’s eyes widened. “Dae ye believe that he would…” She could not bring herself to finish the question.

“Aye, I believe that he would if given the opportunity. Stay away from him,” Madden warned.

“And what of Isabelle? Who will look after her?”

“That duty falls tae her braither. It is nae our place tae intervene.” Madden hated the words that were coming out of his mouth. After what Isabelle had said to him in the stables, he was having a hard time keeping his distance. He feared for her well-being but could do nothing about it. Sighing, he offered Keelin his arm. “Shall we?” In spite of the fact that neither of them had an appetite now, Keelin took his arm and they moved towards the dais to break their fast.

“I am going tae speak with yer braither. I wish fer ye tae accompany me and persuade him of our need,” Bain informed Isabelle as she sat at the window looking out at the beauty of the morning light on the loch.

“I am nae feeling well,” she admitted. She had not had a moment of sleep lying next to Bain, afraid of what the future held.

“Yer weakness does nae interest me, wife. I have told ye tae come with me tae persuade yer braither and that is what ye will dae.” He gave her a threatening look.

Isabelle immediately arose to obey. “As ye wish, husband.” She hurried to prepare for the meeting, then joined Bain at the door.

Satisfied with the results of her fear, he opened the door and stepped out into the corridor. Lorcan awaited them in the hallway. “The laird will see ye now,” he announced, turning to lead the way to the library.