Chapter 19

Isabelle paced back and forth in her room. Bain had doubled her guard and she had not been able to leave her chamber since the incident over the necklace. She needed to speak with Madden and get it back to assuage Bain's anger. She touched the ring that Madden had given her concealed inside the bodice of her dress where it hung by a ribbon. She had been foolish in giving him her necklace caught up in the moment of love.

I must retrieve it before Bain realizes what has happened to it.

Opening the door to her room, she peered out into the hallway. The guards that Bain had posted were still there. "May we be of service, me lady?" one of the guards asked and Isabelle searched her mind for an excuse to leave her room that they might not follow her for but could not think of anything. Sighing, she shook her head. "Nay, I just heard a sound and wished tae see what it was."

"Ah, that was me, me lady. Me apologies fer disturbing ye." The guard inclined his head in apology, seeming to accept her explanation.

Isabelle wondered just how much her guards knew about why her husband had them watching her or if they were just blindly obeying orders. She was not entirely certain herself why he had doubled her guard, but there had been something particularly dangerous about his tone when he had paid her a visit and asked about her necklace. There had been a hidden message in his words, and she feared the rage that she had seen in his eyes. Closing the door, she continued to pace her room. Walking over to the window, she peered out at the courtyard below. The window was entirely too small for her to squeeze herself through it. It was more of an arrow slit than an actual window if she was being honest.

A knock sounded on the door. "Enter," Isabelle commanded.

Cara entered the room with a trencher of food. "Yer husband informed the cook that ye would be eating in yer room," she announced as she entered the bedchamber. Turning, she closed the door behind her and set the tray down on a table beside the bed. "Are ye unwell? Nae one has seen ye all morning. I grew worried that Bain had decided tae take his vengeance out on ye after all."

Isabelle shook her head. "Nae, I am nae unwell. I am being held prisoner in me own bedchamber."

"Is there anything that I can dae tae help? I could tell yer braither."

Isabelle shook her head. "Arran is nae fully healed from his wounds. I dinnae want him tae challenge Bain and be killed in the process. I need tae speak with Madden."

Cara shook her head. "Bain challenged Madden tae a fight in front of the other fighting men of the clan. They were training on the field, and Bain punched Madden straight in the face. I was nae there, but one of the other men heard Bain tell Madden tae stay away from ye. He was wise enough tae inform yer braither but did nae say anything to anyone else. He told Madden tae stay away from ye until he can discover the truth about what happened."

"Can ye get a message tae Madden fer me, or better yet, can ye cause a distraction so that I can go tae Madden meself?"

"A distraction? What kind of distraction?"

"I dinnae ken, any kind of distraction."

Cara stood thinking for a moment. "In truth it would be easier tae deliver a message, but I can see from the desperate look in yer eyes that what ye truly need is tae see Madden fer yerself."

"Can ye help me?"

"I will try, but what ye are asking is dangerous. If Bain kens what is between ye and Madden, he will end yer life afore Arran, Madden, or I can dae anything tae stop him."

"It is worth the risk."

Cara sighed. She stood thinking for a few moments more. "I suppose that I could make them believe that I have fallen and need their help. It would give ye a brief moment tae slip quietly out of the room afore they kenned that ye were gone. How dae ye plan tae return tae the room without them kenning where ye have been?"

"I will worry about that when the time comes." Isabelle gave Cara a hug in gratitude. "I thank ye fer doing this fer me. Please, be careful. I dinnae wish fer ye tae come tae any harm."

Cara smiled. "Dinnae fash. All will be well." Cara returned Isabelle's hug, then walked back over to the door. Opening it, she stepped out into the hallway and walked past the guards. Just as she was about to reach the stairs, Cara feigned a fall, crying out for help. Just as she had predicted, the guards rushed forward to help her, giving Isabelle just enough time to slip silently from the room and sprint down the hallway to the back stairwell.

Isabelle ran down the stairs, through the kitchen, and into the back passage that led to Lorcan's quarters. She prayed feverishly that none of Bain's men would see her. Fear clutched her heart, but love drove her forward. She realized that it would have been easier and safer to have Cara deliver the necklace back to her, but Isabelle needed to see Madden, to explain to him why she was asking for it back. She needed him to understand that she still loved him.

When Isabelle reached Lorcan's room, she stopped, looked both ways up and down the corridor, then raised her hand to knock on the wood. To her relief, Madden answered the door. His eyes widening in surprise, he pulled her inside of the room, closing the door behind him. "Did Keelin tell ye that I wished tae speak with ye? How did ye get past yer guards?" He kissed her, before giving her a chance to answer his questions.

Isabelle smiled against his lips and returned the kiss. "Nae, I have nae spoken with Keelin. Cara helped me tae get past the guards."

Madden smiled, nodding. "She is a good friend, that one."

"Aye," Isabelle agreed.

He smiled down into her face, leaning in for another kiss.

Isabelle laid her hand on his chest, knowing that another kiss might lead to much more. "I need tae speak with ye."

"As I dae ye." The serious tone of Madden's voice made Isabelle pause.

"What did ye wish tae speak with me about?"

"I want tae take ye and Keelin away from here."

"Where would we go?"

"Hamilton clan lands. Nae one would dare tae come after ye there."

"When?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? So soon?"

"Aye, I dinnae trust yer husband. He challenged me tae fight on the training field and warned me tae stay away from ye."

"Dae ye believe that he kens the truth about us?"

"I dinnae ken fer certain, but I believe that he suspects."

Isabelle swallowed hard, bile rising in her throat from fear. "He asked about me necklace today. It is why I came. I was going tae ask fer it back so as tae ease his anger."

Madden's eyes widened in understanding. "When Bain and I were sparring, his blade ripped my shirt. He saw the necklace! How could I nay think of that?"

"Are ye certain that he saw it?"

"Aye, I am certain. Now his rage makes sense."

Isabelle sat down on the edge of the bed. Her legs were trembling. "He kens the truth about us?"

Madden shook his head. "There is nae way tae be certain, but it is possible."

"If he kens the truth, why are we still alive?"

Madden sat down on the bed next to her, taking her into his arms. "I dinnae ken, me love."

Isabelle lifted her face up to him with tears in her eyes. "I will leave with ye tomorrow, but first, I need tae tell me braither the truth about our parents."

"What has made ye change yer mind?"

"If we are tae face death upon the morrow, then I wish tae dae so with a clean soul."

Madden looked into her eyes, love shining from their depths. "Ye are a woman of great courage."

Isabelle shook her head. "I dinnae feel particularly brave. It feels as though fear has been the greater part of me life."

Madden reached up and brushed a tear from her cheek. "Courage is nae the absence of fear, lass. All warriors experience fear. It is kenning fear and still going forth tae dae what ye must, tae dae what is right."

Isabelle looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Why could I have nae met ye sooner?"

Madden shook his head, holding her close. "I dinnae ken the mind of God, but I can only assume that life is as it should be, as it needs tae be. We met each other when we were supposed tae dae so. I would have preferred tae meet ye earlier as well, but now that we have found each other, I never intend tae let ye go."

Isabelle wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered his head to claim her lips. What started as a sweet and tender kiss, quickly turned into something far more intense. Their passion for one another swept over them in a wave, driving their every action. They disrobed in a frenzy of hands and clothing, each attempting to get as close to the other as they could. Nae matter how close their bodies were, it was not close enough. "I need ye," Isabelle breathed, her voice hoarse with need.

Madden lifted her up and placed her on her back in the bed, bringing himself to lay above her. He kissed his way down her neck and chest to her breasts, where he lavished each one with the attentions of his tongue and teeth. Isabelle nearly came up off of the bed as desire coursed through her as fire through a forest. She opened her legs, spreading her knees, to give him full access to her most secret place. Madden groaned.

Unable to take another moment of the sweet torture, Isabelle clawed at his shoulders. "I need ye inside of me, now!"

"Ye are unlike any other," Madden breathed as he hovered over her. Isabelle lifted her legs, wrapping them around his waist. She drew him to her, positioning his hardened length at the opening of her innermost channel. He buried himself deep inside of her from tip to base. His shaft filled her completely, stretching her to her limits.

Isabelle gasped in pleasure as he began to move inside of her. She clung to him, her fingers digging into the muscles of his back and shoulders. The pressure inside of her grew and grew with each thrust. It felt as if their very souls were intertwining with one another. They climaxed together, each falling over the precipice clinging to the other. They lay there in each other's arms for a moment before speaking again.

"Tomorrow," Isabelle breathed in acceptance.

"Tomorrow," Madden murmured, kissing her neck.

Rising, Isabelle retrieved her clothing from the floor and pulled her shift and dress back on over her head. Madden arose to help her with her laces. She ran her fingers through her hair in an attempt to get the tangles under control. "Dae I look presentable?" she asked, not wishing to look as if she had just been in the throes of passion.

"Always," Madden murmured, pulling her into his arms and kissing her one last time before walking her to the door.

"Yer clothes," Isabelle giggled. "Ye dinnae want tae open the door sans clothing."

Madden grinned mischievously. "Why nae?"

Isabelle shook her head. "Ye ken why well enough."

"Aye," Madden admitted and turned to retrieve his garments. Isabelle watched with regret as he donned his trews and shirt covering up his beautifully muscular body. "Is this better?" He asked, coming to stand beside her once more.

Isabelle shook her head with a shy smile. "Never," she murmured.

Madden chuckled. "I prefer ye in a state of nature as well," he admitted, pulling her into his arms. "I will come fer ye upon the morrow. Be ready."

Isabelle nodded. "I will be ready, but first I must speak with me braither. It is time."

Madden nodded. "Would ye like fer me tae accompany ye?"

Isabelle shook her head. "This is something that I must dae alone. I owe him that."

"I understand. I am here if ye need me. He is in the library. Go carefully. We dinnae ken what Bain kens or the full extent of what he is capable of, and that makes him even more dangerous." Madden poked his head out into the hallway to make certain that no one would see her leave, then stepped back inside.

Isabelle nodded. "I will be careful," she promised. Stepping up on tiptoe, she kissed Madden quickly on the lips, then slipped out of the door and out into the corridor. Madden closed the door behind her. Isabelle walked back the way that she had come, this time intent upon finding Arran. She thought she heard a noise and looked both ways but saw nothing. Continuing on, she arrived at the library and entered.

Cara was just leaving a tray with some mead on the table. "I will leave the two of ye alone tae talk," she said smiling as she left the room.

"I thank ye fer yer help earlier," Isabelle murmured softly as Cara passed her.

"Were ye able tae speak?"

Isabelle nodded. "Aye, we will be leaving upon the morrow, together." She spoke softly for Cara's ears alone.

Cara nodded and smiled at her friend. "May God bless ye both. Go safely. Be happy." Cara kissed Isabelle on the cheek, then left the room, closing the door behind her.

"Isabelle," Arran greeted Isabelle with a smile. "How are ye?"

She smiled at him with sad eyes but did not answer.

"I wish that ye were able tae find yer own happiness, sister. In spite of what ye have told me in yer letters, I can clearly see with me own eyes that ye are nae happy. I dinnae ken why ye married Bain Sutherland. It weighs heavy on me heart."

Isabelle's smile faded and she sobered, bracing herself for his reaction once she told him the truth. "It is that very thing that I have come tae speak with ye about."

Arran's brows rose in question. "Oh?"

"Aye, it is time that ye kenned the truth."

Arran settled into his chair, giving her his full attention. "Tell me."

"Soon after ye departed fer France, our faither changed. As ye well ken, he had never been a particularly loving man, but once ye were gone he grew angry and violent. He began tae drink and gamble much more and beat our maither and sometime me as well."

Arran frowned. "What? That mad bampot! Why did ye nae tell me sooner? Why did ye nae write tae me? I would have returned home fer ye."

"I tried tae write ye about it, but our faither found the letter. He beat me severely fer it. I never tried tae write ye about it again. Maither forbade it."

"Is this what has been haunting ye since yer arrival? Are the bad memories why ye didnae wish tae return home afore now?"

Isabelle shook her head. "There is something far worse that I must tell ye."

"Far worse than our faither beating ye and our maither?" Arran's voice was half shocked and half angry.

"Aye, much worse."

Sighing, Arran braced himself. "Continue."

"Our faither developed a real taste fer gambling, but he was never very good at it. He lost more times than he won, but that didnae stop him. He continued on gambling until he had lost nearly everything except fer the clan's lands and homes. He was about tae lose that too as he could nae pay the king's taxes, when he decided tae travel tae ask his friend Bain Sutherland tae loan him some money or tae speak with the king on his behalf."

"That is why ye were there when our parents died?" Arran asked. "I kenned about the gamblin', fer our coffers were in a state of disarray when I returned…"

"Aye," Isabelle nodded.

"It was fortunate that I had saved most of the money I earned as a mercenary fer it allowed me tae pay the king's taxes upon becoming laird."

Isabelle nodded in agreement. "I am certain that yer people are grateful tae ye fer it."

"Our people," Arran reminded her. "Keep going. I can sense that yer story is far from over."

Isabelle nodded. "Bain welcomed our faither with open arms and offered us his hospitality. Our first night there, Faither drank a great deal and returned to our room tae sleep it off. Come dawn, our maither went down tae the kitchens tae retrieve a tonic tae aid our faither in his recovery as she always did we were home, lest he nae unlash his fury on her upon awakening and feeling awful. When she returned to the room, Bain walked her to the door. Faither heard his voice and accused Maither of being unfaithful."

By this point in the story, tears were starting to stream down Isabelle's cheeks. The memory of what happened next flashed through her mind, threatening to drown her in their intensity. She swiped her hands over her cheeks in an attempt to banish her sorrow. Arran sat waiting patiently until she was ready to continue speaking. "What happened, Isabelle?"

Isabelle fought back a fresh bout of tears. "Faither proceeded tae beat Maither almost until her death."

Arran's brows shot up to his hairline. "What? Ye witnessed all this?"

"I did and I was helpless tae dae anything, Arran. I tried tae pull him off her, but he slung me across the room. I had nae recourse, but I had tae make him stop or he would have killed her right there before me very eyes. There was a wooden stool by the hearth. I picked it up and brought it down hard on his head. He stumbled but caught his balance. He stopped beating Maither and turned his rage towards me. He came at me with the intention of doing tae me what he had just done tae her, but I raised the stool and pushed him away from me. He stumbled back, then tripped over our mother's prone body. Before I could dae anything tae stop it, he fell on top of her and hit his head on the hearth, braither. He was dead within the span of a heartbeat. Our maither died a week later of her wounds. In spite of me efforts, he had managed tae beat her tae death after all."

Arran looked at her in shock, his eyes wide, his mouth open. He blinked, closed his mouth, and stood. Tears gathered in his eyes. Isabelle didn't know what to expect. Whether she was about to be yelled at, perhaps even banished from the MacKay clan lands forever, or whether those tears were fer her and their maither. Arran crossed the distance between them and gathered her into his arms, holding her shaking body in a warm embrace. "I am so very, very sorry that ye were forced tae endure such a horrific experience alone. I should have been there tae protect the two of ye. Why did ye never tell me of this before?"

Isabelle looked up at him in shock. "I thought that ye and our faither's friends would have me executed fer murder."

"Och, Isabelle, I would never harm a hair on yer head. I would nae allow anyone else tae harm ye either. Ye are safe here. There is never any reason fer ye tae fear fer yer safety when ye are here at home, where ye belong. Is that why ye married Bain? Did ye believe that ye could nae return home?"

Isabelle nodded. "Bain saw what happened. He said if I married him that he would keep me secret and protect me from being executed. He said that he would provide our maither with a healer that might be able tae save her life. Sadly, she was beyond the skill of any healer."

"Oh, Isabelle, me dearest sister," Arran kissed the top of her head, holding her close before pulling back and looking into her eyes. "There was never a moment that ye needed tae feel such fear. Nay man among us would have judged ye fer what happened. Ye had every right tae defend yerself and our maither. Ye are nae responsible fer their deaths. Our faither and our faither alone bears the full responsibility. Bain Sutherland took advantage of a young, frightened lass who had just undergone a terribly traumatic experience. He kenned what he was doing. Any man who uses blackmail tae gain a wife should be strung up."

"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.