Page 20 of In Bed with a Scot

I need tae remember tae keep me distance. This is nae longer me home. These are nae longer me people. I must guard me heart. The truth can never be kenned by anyone, especially nae me braither.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Ihave a meeting with Uncle Arran tae speak with him about some papers me faither sent fer him. He sent a letter fer Isabelle as well. I was supposed tae meet her fer tea, but with her not feeling well, I assume that she will nae be up tae it. Would ye mind delivering her me faither’s letter while I speak with Arran? I would appreciate it. It might bring her some cheer.”

Madden shook his head. “I dinnae wish tae disrupt her rest.”

“Please, Madden. I need tae ken that she is well, but ye dinnae want me near her husband and I need tae dae this fer me faither.”

Sighing, Madden extended his hand for the letter. “I have never been able tae refuse ye much have I.”

“Nae, ye have nae,” Keelin smiled brightly.

Shaking his head, Madden left her to speak with Arran while he went in search of Isabelle. He went to her bedchamber first. He hesitated, as he lifted his hand to knock on the door but forced himself to follow through. He expected to have her husband open the door, but instead it was a diminutive clanswoman. “I have a letter fer the Lady Sutherland from her kinswoman.”

“The Lady Sutherland is nae here. She has nae been here all morning,” the woman answered, eyeing Madden up and down with interest.

“I was informed that she was unwell,” Madden replied, his brow wrinkling in confusion. “Where could she be?”

“She was in the kitchens earlier with Cara, but I believe that I heard her say she was going tae read in her maither’s auld rooms.”

“Who is Cara?”

“She is one of the maids here at the castle.”

Madden turned to go, but the woman reached out and plucked at his sleeve. Madden turned around in question. “Aye?”

“If ye are feeling lonely, I would be happy tae keep ye company,” she offered suggestively.

Madden shook his head. “I thank ye fer the offer, but I must regretfully decline.” He gave her a respectful nod of the head in farewell so as not to hurt her feelings, then turned towards the Lady Ella’s former rooms.

As the former laird’s wife, the Lady Ella had been blessed with her own bedchamber and an adjacent room that she had utilized for her own ends. This is where Madden found Isabelle. When he entered the room, he was frustrated with her for lying once again. She had made Keelin worry about her well-being for nothing, while she had been up and about the castle doing whatever she pleased. When he saw her sitting there sound asleep, his anger lessened. She looked so innocent and sweet as she slumbered, breathing softly, a book dangling from her fingers.

Removing the book from her hands, he lifted the blanket from the back of the chair and laid it over the top of her. The feel of the blanket must have disturbed her slumber for Isabelle’s eyes flew open, and she sat bolt upright. The drink that had been sitting on the table beside her tumbled down and spilled onto the bodice of her dress. The liquid soaked through to the skin causing her breasts to be clearly outlined in the wet fabric.

“Me apologies,” Madden murmured as he assisted her in standing up. She stumbled into him, her feet tangling in the blanket as he pulled her upright. The feel of her body, and the sight of her breasts outlined through the wet cloth of her dress caused his own body to come alive with need. His reaction to her made him angry and he took a step back away from her.

“What are ye doing here?” Isabelle demanded to know. She noticed his eyes on her breasts and pulled the blanket up over them, blushing with embarrassment.

“Keelin sent me tae give ye this. It is a letter from her faither.” He extended the missive towards her.

Isabelle reached out and took it from him. “I thank ye then.”

“She was also concerned about yer wellbeing as we were told that ye were ill,” he tried to keep the anger from his voice as best he could.

“I am sorry. It was nae me intent tae cause anyone tae worry,” Isabelle apologized, her tone sounding truly contrite.

Changing the subject, Madden motioned towards the book that she had been reading. “That one is nae very good. The man in it is nae man.”

Isabelle turned her gaze to the book in question, shrugging her shoulders. The motion caused the blanket to fall, exposing her damp bodice once more. “Perhaps nae, but it is accurate tae life. Men are often nae as they should be.”

Madden was not certain why her words caused him to react the way that it did, but he lashed out without thought. “Perhaps ye should read a book about an unfaithful wife if ye wish tae read something that reflects life as it is.”

Isabelle’s head swung back towards him, her eyes piercing his. “How dare ye speak tae me in such a manner! We had an agreement,” Isabelle hissed at him angrily.

“We agreed that I would nae say anything tae yer husband or any other person in the clan. We did nae agree tae never speak of it again betwixt ourselves.”

“I have done nothing tae deserve yer disrespect. Ye have nae right tae judge me fer what I did.” Isabelle’s eyes flashed with fire, causing him to desire her all the more.