Chapter 4

Madden and Keelin rode into the courtyard of the MacKay stronghold. Madden had never stepped foot on MacKay lands before and was pleased by what he saw. From all appearances, the MacKay people were well cared for. Arran MacKay had done well for his people since becoming laird. "Keelin," a man's voice greeted from behind them.

Madden and Keelin turned to find a large man with long dark hair walking towards them with a broad smile on his face. "Lorcan," Keelin replied with a smile, dismounting her horse and stepping forward to greet the big man with a hug. Madden dismounted and handed their horses to a waiting stable hand.

"And who is this?" Lorcan asked, eyeing Madden up and down with suspicion.

"This is Madden Kinnaird, warrior and advisor fer the Laird Hamilton. Madden, this is Lorcan MacKay, warrior and advisor fer the Laird MacKay. Ye are the same." She looked back and forth between the two large men. "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph but ye could pass as twins, one as light as the sun, the other as dark as night."

Each man stood eyeing the other for a moment. "I have heard of ye," Lorcan admitted, with respect in his voice.

"Dinnae believe everything that ye hear," Madden offered in response.

"I dinnae." Each man continued to take stock of the other for a while longer.

"If ye are done measuring each other's taugers, I would like tae see me cousin," Keelin interrupted in jest.

The men exchanged a smile. "The mouth on this one," Madden shook his head.

"Aye, she has been this way since she was but a wee lassie toddling around after Arran and I. She was nae bigger than a sword the first time that she picked one up and near scared her poor sweet maither in tae her grave," Lorcan replied chuckling. Having decided that they both cared for Keelin, they fell into step together, entering the hall.

"Where is Arran?" Keelin asked, searching the hall for her cousin.

"I am here," Arran answered from behind them having just entered the hall himself. "I am sorry that I was nae here tae greet ye upon yer arrival cousin, but me sister and her husband paid me an unexpected visit."

"Yer sister is here?" Keelin lit up with excitement. "I have nae seen her in so long."

"Nor had I. It was good tae see her. They are resting now before the evening meal, but I am looking forward tae spending time with her in the coming days," Arran answered, giving Keelin a hug.

"How long will she be staying?"

"I dinnae ken, but I plan tae keep her here fer as long as she will allow."

"Fer as long as her husband will allow," Keelin grumbled under her breath.

"Aye," Arran agreed with a frown. Sighing, he offered Keelin his arm.

"I see that me usual room is taken, since it was originally hers," Keelin said with a smile.

"Dinnae fear. We will find ye a place tae rest," Arran reassured her.

"I am nae afraid. I will simply take yer room from ye if I must," she informed him with laughter in her eyes.

Arran laughed, shaking his head. "I would probably let ye, but I am certain that we have another room that ye can stay in."

Madden watched this entire exchange with a smile. Keelin got along with everyone. She was at home no matter where she went. It never ceased to amaze him how she could wrap any man in the room around her finger in a matter of mere moments. In the excitement of the two cousins seeing each other once more, Madden had been forgotten in the shuffle. As if he suddenly realized this, Arran turned to Madden with an inquisitive look.

"Are ye going tae introduce me tae yer man?" Arran asked Keelin.

Keelin smiled. "He is nae me man. He is me friend. This is Madden Kinnaird. Madden is a warrior and advisor fer the Laird Hamilton. The two of ye have much in common."

Arran looked Madden over, assessing him in a glance. "I have heard of ye. Ye had quite the reputation in France among the fighting men."

"Keelin tells me that ye were in France fer some time," Madden replied, brushing aside the mention of his reputation on the battlefield.

"Aye, I was. Perhaps we could share a dram, and reminisce together while ye are here," Arran offered.

"Aye, perhaps," Madden nodded, not committing to anything. He was not certain how long Keelin planned to stay and did not wish to make any promises that he could not keep.

"Dae ye mind sharing accommodations with me man Lorcan here?" Arran inquired, with a lifted brow.

"Nae, I dinnae mind." Turning to Lorcan, he smiled. "How is yer snoring?"

"Exemplary," Lorcan answered with pride, causing the four of them to dissolve into laughter.

"We should get along just fine," Madden answered Arran as they moved further into the hall towards the stairs that led up to the bedchambers in question.

As they approached the stairs, Madden looked up in shock to see the woman from the inn descending the stairs in all of her beautiful glory. His mouth dropped open and he stopped in his tracks, stunned into silence. She did the same.

"Isabelle!" Keelin's voice rang out with joy as she bounded up the remaining stairs to embrace her cousin. "It has been too long."

"Aye, it has," Isabelle agreed, returning Keelin's embrace. She looked over the top of Keelin's head at Madden. Their eyes met in question, but neither said a word.

"Isabelle, there is someone that I would like fer ye tae meet." Keelin grabbed Isabelle's hand and pulled her toward Madden. "This is me dearest friend in all of the world, Madden Kinnaird. Madden, this is me cousin, the Lady Isabelle Sutherland, wife tae the Laird Bain Sutherland."

Madden's heart thumped hard in his chest.

She is married.

He could not believe that it had happened again. Anger flared in his mind and heart. "Lady Sutherland," he greeted through gritted teeth.

Isabelle inclined her head to his greeting but did not return it.

"Kinnaird," the man standing next to her spoke, eyeing Madden. "I have heard of ye. Ye are a warrior of reputation."

"Me husband, the Laird Bain Sutherland," Isabelle introduced them, giving Madden an almost imperceptible shake of the head. Her eyes pleaded with him not to say anything about the night that they had spent together. Madden, still in too much shock to do much of anything else, said nothing.

"I am certain that Keelin and Madden would like tae wash the road from their skin afore the evening meal. I was on me way tae settle Keelin in tae our maither's auld room, if ye are nae opposed," Arran informed his sister.

"I will take her," Isabelle offered, smiling at her cousin warmly. "Our maither would have been pleased tae see her bedchamber put tae such good use."

Arran smiled, nodding his head in approval. "Lorcan, would ye show Madden tae yer quarters?"

"Aye, me laird," Lorcan agreed. "Kinnaird," he motioned for Madden to follow him.

Still in a daze caused by the unfortunate situation that he had found himself in, Madden turned and followed Lorcan out of the hall. Pausing at the door, he took one last look behind him at Isabelle and Keelin as they disappeared from sight.

I cannae believe that it happened again.

Isabelle could not believe what she was seeing as she watched Madden leave the hall out of the corner of her eye.

How is he here? How does he ken Keelin? What am I going tae dae if he tells Bain about what we did?

Her mind swirled with a myriad of questions, none of them reassuring.

"Are ye well, Isabelle? Ye seem distracted," Keelin's voice broke into her thoughts.

Isabelle looked at her cousin and nodded. "I am well," she lied.

"I am so happy that ye are here," Keelin thrilled with a smile. "How long will ye be allowed tae stay?"

Isabelle shook her head. "I dinnae ken. Bain came tae ask a favor of me braither. Once he has obtained what he came fer, I dinnae believe that we will remain fer very long."

"Then let us pray that he does nae get what he is asking fer," Keelin replied, looping her arm through Isabelle's.

"If he does nae get what he wants, he will be intolerable tae live with and the Clan Sutherland will suffer."

Keelin looked at Isabelle. "How bad is it?"

Isabelle met her cousin's eyes but said nothing.

"That bad," Keelin answered her own question with a sigh of concern.

Isabelle attempted to change the subject. "Tell me about this Madden Kinnaird that ye rode in with. Who is he?"

"He serves as an advisor and warrior tae the Laird Hamilton."

At the mention of the Laird Hamilton, Isabelle smiled. "How is Edith and the new bairn?"

"Edith is blissfully happy and the bairn is braw," Keelin answered with a wide smile of pride. "I will miss them now that I am returning home."

"I am certain that yer faither and maither will be pleased tae see ye again."

"Aye, it has been months since I was last home."

They had reached the doorway to her mother Ella's old bedchamber. Isabelle had not stepped foot inside since her mother's death. "It has been years fer me," Isabelle sighed, stepping over the threshold. She looked all about her, taking in what remained of her mother's all too short life.

"I am sorry, Isabelle. I didnae think. I was careless with me words." Keelin squeezed her cousin's hand in sympathy.

Isabelle shook her head. "There is nae need tae apologize. I am responsible fer me own choices. I chose tae marry me husband and I must live with the consequences of that choice."

Keelin studied Isabelle's face. "Does he beat ye?"

Isabelle did not wish to answer truthfully. "Dinnae pay me words any heed. It is being home after so long a time away that has me heart and mind in turmoil."

Keelin gave her a look that said she knew there was more to it than Isabelle was willing to say, but she did not pressure her into answering. Keelin knew what Isabelle had been through as a child with her father. She had learned a long time ago not to ask certain questions and expect an answer. Isabelle was grateful for Keelin' discretion. "Ye could always stay in yer mother's room with me."

"That would be lovely, but I doubt that Bain would allow it." She brushed the hair back from Keelin's face. "Let us get ye bathed afore the evening meal. Ye dinnae want tae be eating road dust with yer bannocks."

Keelin smiled. "It would nae be the first time."

Isabelle laughed. "Nae, it would nae be the first time and I very much doubt that it would be the last."

The two cousins worked together to prepare themselves for the evening meal, assisting each other with their hair and enjoying each other's company. Isabelle had forgotten what it felt like to have a female friend, let alone family, in her life that she could trust. It felt good to let her guard down and be herself. Keelin had always had a way of bringing out the best in the people around her. It was a quality that Isabelle greatly admired.

When the two of them were ready, they left the bedchamber and descended the stairs to the great hall below. The clan had gathered in honor of Isabelle's return and Arran had arranged for a welcome home feast that made Isabelle blush with the attention. She and Keelin joined the men on the raised dais. Isabelle was seated between Keelin and Bain. Bain had arranged to be seated next to Arran and had made certain that Isabelle was placed next to him so that he could keep an eye on her. Seeing this, Keelin had sat on the other side of Isabelle, and Madden had sat on the other side of Keelin. Lorcan and the other notable men of the clan were seated on the other side of Arran.

Arran gave Isabelle a look that said he noticed her husband's control of her, but he said nothing. Standing, her brother addressed the gathered clan. "Our Lady Isabelle has returned tae us at long last! Let us drink a toast tae her long life, health, and happiness! May her enemies crumble at her feet! Tae the Lady Isabelle!" Arran raised his cup in a toast and drained it dry, slamming it down on the table with enthusiasm, giving Bain a warning look as he did so. The message was clear, you mess with me sister and this clan will make ye pay fer it with your life.

"Tae the Lady Isabelle!" The clan raised their cups and drank a toast to their long absent lady.

Keelin gave Isabelle's hand a squeeze beneath the table where no one would notice. "Tae the Lady Isabelle," she murmured with feeling, draining her own cup dry.

Isabelle felt overwhelmed by the myriad of emotions that washed over her. From guilt to love, she felt as if she might drown with the intensity of it. She noticed out of all of the people in attendance there were only two among them who did not join in the toast, her husband Bain, which was not a surprise, and the warrior Madden Kinnaird. A chill passed up her spine at the looks she was receiving from her husband. Neither man was pleased with her, each feeling a very different kind of anger towards her, but Madden's look was more confusion and perhaps even a bit of hurt, whereas Bain's look held pure rage and jealousy.

When everyone sat back down, the food emerged from the kitchens. The cook had outdone herself. Platters of venison, salmon, and bannocks were accompanied by bowls steaming with potatoes and kale. The clan descended upon the food with gusto. Conversation and laughter filled the air. Isabelle looked out over the Clan MacKay and marveled at the difference. When her father had been the laird, there had never been such plenty. With Arran in charge, his people wanted for nothing. She was proud of what her brother had accomplished.

Seeing the plenty before them, Bain turned his attention to Arran and his quest to seek a loan. Isabelle's muscle tension eased a bit once his hateful gaze was averted from her. Sighing, she sat back in her seat and closed her eyes for the briefest moment in an effort to fight off the tears that threatened to spill forth. She had known it would not be easy returning home with the cloud of guilt that followed her every step, but she had not anticipated the longing to remain that had overcome her soul.

"Are ye tired, Lady Isabelle? Did ye have a restless night?" Madden's voice broke into her thoughts, laden with hidden meaning that only the two of them understood.

Isabelle shot him a warning look. "It was a tiresome journey."

"There is a lovely inn in a village nae far from here that provides a most delightful stay. Dae ye ken it?" he asked, his voice all innocence, his eyes boring into hers.

"Aye, we stayed there last night," Bain interrupted the conversation answering for her. Isabelle nearly jumped out of her skin. "I would nae go so far as tae say it was delightful."

"I suppose that would depend upon one's companions," Madden replied, his eyes never leaving Isabelle's face.

"Aye, that would make a difference," Bain snorted. Isabelle turned to make certain that Bain had not noticed the looks that Madden was giving her, to find her husband looking at her in disappointed disgust. "I preferred the company of the village tavern." His tone was laden with suggestions as to how he had spent his night.

Isabelle turned to face forward, her cheeks warming in shame. There was no way that those within earshot had not understood the undertones of his meaning. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Madden's head turn away from her and towards Bain. Isabelle turned to look at him in fear that he might say something incriminating, but instead she found him giving Bain a disapproving look. "With such a bonnie bride, I am surprised that ye have time tae spend at village taverns."

Isabelle felt the color drain from her cheeks. Keelin was discreetly looking back and forth between Madden and Isabelle with confusion in her eyes.

"Are ye a married man, Kinnaird?" Bain asked, his voice mocking.

"Nay, I am nae," Madden shook his head.

"Then I dinnae expect ye tae understand. Come back tae me when ye ken what ye speak of," Bain chastised, gave Isabelle a warning look, then turned his attention back to Arran and his money.

Madden gave Isabelle a look that she could not quite interpret, somewhere between sympathy and pity, but with an edge of disapproval and something else undefinable.

"What is going on with ye?" Keelin spoke softly for Madden's ears only, but Isabelle was too close not to hear.

Madden shook his head. "Nae enough sleep."

Keelin frowned at him. "The lass from last night? That is why ye are nae yerself? That is unlike ye. She must have had an even greater impact than I initially thought."

Isabelle could feel what little remained of the blood in her face drain out completely, then flood back all at once. Her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. Her head spun. He told her about me?!

"She was nae me usual choice," Madden admitted by way of explanation, but Isabelle knew from his tone what he was talking about. She was married and married women were clearly not his usual fair. "I believe that I would be best served by retiring tae me bed fer the night."

"Leaving already, Kinnaird?" Arran's ears had caught this last part of the conversation, his brows raised in question.

"Aye," Madden nodded. "It was a restless night."

"Oh?" Arran's eyes sparkled with mischief. "She must have been quite something tae have tired the renowned warrior Madden Kinnaird."

"She was," Madden nodded in agreement.

Bain snorted. "A ride such as that must have cost ye dear," he observed. "Perhaps I will pay her a visit on me way back through the village. What did she cost ye?"

"A priceless necklace," Madden answered, his eyes held steady above Isabelle's head on Bain's face.

"Tae rich fer me blood," Bain snorted. "I have never met a lass that was worth such a price."

"Perhaps value is in the eye of the beholder," Madden murmured, then turned and left the hall.

Isabelle sat helpless watching him walk away, her heart in her throat and tears in her eyes. Her hand fell to her neck to find it bare. She had not noticed until that moment.

Me necklace…