Page 49 of In Bed with a Scot

“Truly, ye are nae angry with me?” Isabelle asked in disbelief. “Ye would never have been angry with me?”

Arran shook his head. “I am nae and would nae have been angry with ye. Had I been there, I would have killed him myself. The only thing that I am upset with ye fer is that ye did nae trust me and tell me and bore this burden alone unnecessarily. I would have protected ye. I would have always stood by yer side and would never have permitted the likes of Bairn tae marry ye if I had kenned.”

“There was nay time. I was married afore our maither died. I was married afore our faither’s body was cold. Had I nae wed him, I have nae doubt that Bain would have had me executed himself. I did what I had tae dae and I have been paying fer it fer the last eleven years.”

Arran held her eyes. “Daes he beat ye? Daes yer husband beat ye?”

Isabelle looked away, not wishing to bring him into her marital problems.

“Isabelle,” he said her name firmly.

Isabelle turned back to face him. “Aye, he daes.”

“I will kill him,” Arran growled.

Isabelle shook her head. “I will nae have ye or the clan be punished fer me benefit. The king would nae be pleased and would demand recompense fer the murder of one of his lairds.”

“What then? Dae ye expect me tae simply watch ye leave with him? I will nae dae it.”

Isabelle shook her head. “Nae, I dinnae expect that. Madden has spoken with me about yer suspicions pertaining tae Bain’s part in the attack on the castle. He has asked me tae go with him upon the morrow tae the Hamilton Clan lands, where he can petition the laird there tae provide ye with men tae defend yerself and our people. I have agreed tae go with him.”

“Dae ye love him?” Arran asked.

“I dae.”

Arran nodded. “I pray that ye will find yer happiness at long last.”

“As dae I.”

“How dae ye plan tae leave Bain without being caught?”

Isabelle shook her head. “I dinnae ken. I hope Madden would have a plan, fer me husband kens about us.”

Arran nodded. “I will speak with Madden. Fer now, return tae yer room and rest. Upon the morrow, be ready. I will call a meeting of the fighting men of the clan and include Bain and his men in the summons. I will distract them, while ye, Madden, and Keelin flee. Go carefully, Isabelle. I could nae bear tae lose ye now that I have ye back in me life once more.”

“I will.”

“Dinnae ever stay away fer so long again. Once we have dealt with Bain, he will nae be able tae harm ye ever again.”

Smiling through her tears, Isabelle wrapped her arms around her brother. “I love ye, Arran. I could nae have been blessed with a better braither.”

Arran smiled. “I love ye, sister. Let us never be parted again.” Rising, they walked over to the door together. “Wait for Madden. He will come fer ye. Once the danger has passed, ye and he are welcome tae join me here.”

Embracing once more, Isabelle left the library with hope in her heart. Turning back towards her bedchamber, her mind was filled with thoughts of the future. She did not hear anyone behind her until it was too late. Hands reached out to grab her, wrapping a hand around her mouth, and an arm around her waist lifting her up off of the ground. Isabelle lashed out with her feet, kicking her attacker in the balls. The man grunted and dropped her. Isabelle landed hard on the floor. She scrambled to her feet and took off running, but it was to no avail. She had barely made it more than a few steps when she was grabbed up again.

“Ye wee bitch!” The man growled, then hit her on the head with the hilt of his blade. Darkness closed in on her as she succumbed to unconsciousness. The last thing she felt was the man throwing her over his shoulders like a sack of grain.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Madden was preparing for the evening meal, having gathered everything that he would need for the journey upon the morrow, when a knock sounded on the door. Madden crossed the room, shirt in hand, to answer the door. He found Arran standing on the other side. “Is Isabelle with ye?” Arran asked, his eyes searching the room behind Madden.

Madden shook his head. “Nae, she is nae. Why dae ye ask?”

“She is missing, as is Bain.”

“Missing? They are nae in their room?” His mind raced with fears as to what Bain might do now that he knew the truth about them.

“Nay, they are nae,” Arran shook his head. “Isabelle came tae speak with me earlier today. She told me of yer plan. I said that I would be happy tae aid ye in whatever way I could. I had planned tae call a meeting of the fighting men of the clan, including Bain and his men, so that he would be distracted while ye fled tae the Hamilton clan lands unnoticed. I went tae extend the invitation personally, but nae one has seen him or any of his men fer hours.”