Chapter 18

Madden was on the training field sparring with the other able-bodied men of the clan, when Bain Sutherland joined then. "Ye dae well against these young pups, but how dae ye fair in battle with a man of experience? Are ye worthy of the reputation that has been given tae ye?"

Madden would have liked nothing more than to run the man through right there in the field for everything that he had done to Isabelle, but for her sake he stayed his hand. He could not protect her if he was strung up for murdering her laird husband. "I dae well enough."

"Let me be the judge of that," Bain snorted. He drew his blade from its scabbard. "Face me."

Madden shook his head. "Are ye certain that ye wish tae face a man of half yer years?"

Bain laughed. "Dae I frighten ye, laddie?"

Madden shook his head. "Nae, I only felt it best tae give ye an out afore we started."

"I dinnae need an out. Face me, coward."

Madden clenched his teeth to keep from saying something that he should not. He did not believe that angering Bain was a wise thing to do when that anger might be turned back onto Isabelle. "Very well, if that is what ye wish," agreed to the fight against his better judgement. He could not rightly refuse him as a laird without causing even more anger. There was no way in which to avoid the situation.

Madden and Bain faced off against each other. They circled each other, testing the other's reflexes. Bain was faster than Madden would have guessed from his age and size. Once they had gauged the metal of the other, they began to fight. What should have been a gentlemanly spar between two warriors was more like a melee. Both men hated each other with a passion that showed in every blow. Both men were strong, skilled warriors. It was not a brief or pleasant fight. Madden fought more to fend off Bain's mad attacks, than to fight back. He wanted more than anything to kill the beast where he stood, but he held himself back, not allowing his blood lust to get her better of him. Isabelle's protection had to take priority and even if Bain was dead, she would still be at the mercy of Sutherland's man Athol.

Bain, sensing that he had an advantage, lunged forward with a thrust that might have killed a lesser man. Fortunately, Madden was able to sidestep Bain's blade, but the metal caught on his shirt, ripping it from his body. He stood there bare chested, as Bain stared at the necklace hanging from Madden's neck. In a fit of rage, Bain roared and charged at Madden. Madden brought his sword up in time and caught the blade. Bain leaned in close as their swords slid together. "Stay away from me wife or I will gut ye and turn yer innards intae haggis," he hissed, then punched Madden square in the face.

Bain, fueled by rage, stormed into the stables where he had arranged previously to meet Athol. He burst through the doors, causing them to slam against the side of the building. "Me laird?" Athol looked up in question.

"The plan has changed," Bain barked angrily.

"What? Why?"

Bain raised his hand, waving away Athol's concern. "We are still going tae kill Arran, but now we will also be killing Madden Kinnaird. The arseling has been with me wife and fer that he must die, as must she."

"How dae ye ken that they have been together?" Athol asked in confusion. "When would they have had the opportunity?"

"I dinnae ken, but he is wearing her maither's necklace. She would never part with that necklace fer anything."

"Perhaps he stole it?"

Bain shook his head. "She gave it tae him. I can feel it in me bones. Arran and Madden both must die."

"And yer wife?"

"First, I will make Isabelle suffer fer her treachery, then I will kill her. I will make them all suffer before I kill them."

"What dae ye propose tae dae?"

"The one thing that would cause both men the greatest harm."

"And that is?"

"Isabelle."

Isabelle was in her room mending one of her dresses that had been ripped from being snagged on a walk in the garden when Bain entered and crossed the room to sit in the chair across from her. She looked up in greeting but did not say anything. She had been avoiding him as much as possible. She had thought that he had left the castle for a ride, but apparently, he had changed his mind.

Bain watched her as she worked. "Where is yer maither's necklace? I thought that ye said that ye had found it. I cannae believe that ye would let it out of yer sight after having lost it once already."

Isabelle's heart raced. She had not been using her head when she had given her necklace to Madden. She had been thinking with her heart. She now saw that such a choice might have been short sighted. "I lost it again. I am certain that it will be found as it was before."

"Hmm," Bain grunted. "Ye should be more careful with yer possessions. I would never be so reckless with me own. What is mine remains with me until the end. Ye would dae well tae remember that."

Isabelle felt a shiver pass over her spine at the menacing tone of his voice. "I will dae better in the future."

Madden found Keelin waiting for him at the edge of the training field. "Ye're bleeding," she noted as he approached. "And yer shirt has been ripped."

"Aye, Bain challenged me tae a fight and it got heated. He punched me in the face."

Keelin's eyes widened. "Dae ye believe that he kens the truth about ye and Isabelle?"

Madden sighed, brushing the blood from his lip. "I cannae be certain. But he suddenly warned me tae stay away from her."

"Then he daes ken the truth," Keelin breathed in alarm.

"If he truly kenned the truth, Isabelle believes that Bain would kill us both. He has nae killed me yet."

"Perhaps he is biding his time."

"Perhaps," Madden nodded. "If that is true, then Isabelle is in danger."

"Dae ye think that he would dae anything under Arran's roof?"

Madden shook his head. "I dinnae ken. If he did, Arran would have him cut down."

Keelin stood, frowning up into his face. "Could ye nae have kept yer tauger tae yerself?"

Madden sighed. "I love her, Kee. I cannae resist her more than I can stop me heart from beating."

"Both are nae possible in death," Keelin retorted.

"Aye."

Keelin shook her head. "What are ye going tae dae?"

"I would like tae take ye and Isabelle back tae Hamilton lands where I can protect ye both from what I fear is tae come. I spoke with Arran about our suspicions pertaining to Bain and Athol's actions. He cannae approach him without proof, but once he has that proof, things could get dangerous fast."

"Ye want tae take Isabelle with us?"

"Aye," Madden nodded firmly. "I am nae leaving her in the hands of that monster. If I take the both of ye home tae Edith, Braden can give me men tae provide support fer Arran."

"It will nae be easy. Bain has her guarded night and day."

"Aye, but it can be done. I have been able to find moments with her alone. I can do so again."

"When would ye want tae leave?"

"Tomorrow. I will need that long tae retrieve Isabelle from her husband's guards."

"Now all we have tae dae is survive the night," Keelin breathed as they turned back towards the castle together.