Page 19 of In Bed with a Scot

Isabelle felt ridiculous being treated in such a formal manner in her own home, but in truth she had not been meant to attend the meeting. It was clear that Arran had set out to put Bain in his place before granting any favor. Her suspicions were confirmed when Arran looked up in surprise to see Isabelle enter with her husband. “I didnae expect tae see ye this morning, sister. Are ye feeling better?”

“Me husband needs me by his side,” Isabelle answered, taking her seat opposite her brother.

“Me wife kens her duty tae the Clan Sutherland,” Bain boasted, his chest puffed up. He had clearly noted the insult and was responding with an overcompensation of pride. To his mind he owned Isabelle and as her master, he had an entitlement to what Arran had as well. By the look on his face, Arran clearly did not agree.

“Me sister is dear tae me, and I dae care about her wellbeing, but I cannae give ye the amount of coin that ye are asking fer,” Arran replied to Bain’s insinuation. “Me first duty must be and is tae the Clan MacKay. If I give ye the amount of coin that ye are asking fer, they will suffer fer it come the winter.”

Bain looked at Lorcan standing guard behind them. “May we speak in private as family?”

Arran sighed and nodded his head for Lorcan to leave the room. “Ye may go.”

Lorcan nodded and stepped out into the hallway but remained by the door.

Once the door was closed, Bain turned back to Arran. “Ye can spend money on frivolities such as the tea that Isabelle and Keelin drank together last evening, but ye cannae loan me the pittance that I ask fer tae save me clan and provide fer yer own sister?”

Arran looked at Isabelle in question. “Tea?” he asked, his brow arched in confusion.

“Aye, tea,” Bain answered on her behalf. “Dirty water is worth more tae ye than yer own kin.”

Arran sighed. “Let me sit with it fer a time. I will see what I can dae.” He dismissed them with a wave of his hand. As if on cue, Lorcan opened the door and stood waiting. As they arose to leave, Arran called for Isabelle to remain. “Might I have a moment tae speak with me sister? It has been too long since I have had the pleasure of her company.”

Bain grunted. “Ye are welcome tae it. Perhaps it will remind ye of yer duty.” With that, Bain left the room grumbling under his breath about troublesome wives and their kin.

Once the door had closed behind Bain, Arran turned his attention back to his sister. “Tea with Keelin?”

“Aye,” Isabelle lied, averting her eyes.

“I ken that ye did nae have tea with Keelin last evening as I was having a dram with Keelin here in this very room.” He eyed Isabelle with suspicion and concern. “What is going on, Isabelle? Where were ye last night?”

“I went fer a walk about the castle, but I did nae wish tae have Bain’s dog, Athol, following me around. I told Bain that I was having tea with Keelin so that he would allow me tae go alone. Please dinnae tell him, Arran. I cannae bear more of his wrath.”

Arran searched her eyes, his face drawn in lines of concern. “Tell me of yer husband. What sort of a man is he?”

Isabelle shook her head. “He is me husband. That is the beginning and end of it.”

“I am nae blind, Isabelle. I can see that ye are nae happy. I can see that he does nae make ye happy or even respect ye. Daes he cause ye harm in any way? Are ye in trouble?”

Isabelle shook her head, lying as convincingly as she could. “I am nae in trouble.”

Arran gave her a look that said he did not believe her. “If ye need me, I am here. Come tae me and I will give ye protection.”

“I am well, brother, but should I be in need of yer protection, I will tell ye.”

A knock sounded at the door interrupting their conversation. “Enter,” Arran called out in answer.

Lorcan opened the door and Cara walked through carrying a tray of food and drink. “I was informed that the Lady Isabelle was feeling poorly, but when I went tae her room she was nae there. The Laird Sutherland informed me where I could find her,” Cara explained to Arran as she set the trencher on the table near Isabelle’s chair.

“Stay and join us,” Isabelle invited Cara wanting to spend some time with her old friend and companion.

“I must return tae the kitchens. The cook is in rare form with such important guests afoot,” she gave Isabelle a wink, before turning back towards the door.

Grabbing the trencher of food, Isabelle stood and followed after her. “I should thank Mary fer her hard work myself. I will accompany ye.”

Cara nodded with a smile. “She will be pleased tae see ye.”

“Isabelle,” Arran’s voice stopped her in the doorway. “I meant what I said.”

“As dae I,” Isabelle responded, then left the room with Cara.