My Brave Highlander(64)

"I was surprised to hear she was the one behind your disappearance. But it all makes sense now. I can't believe no one told me." Erskine sent a baffled glance at Keegan.

"We kept the secret well." His cousin shrugged and smiled smugly.

"I need two men I can trust to watch my back, aside from Rebbie. Sometimes he is distracted by the lasses."

"Aye and a pretty one arrived with your stepmother, Lady Seona Murray," Keegan said with a grin, obviously referring to the young, dark-haired, blue-eyed lass who'd stood with her mother or aunt behind Maighread. So, she was the lass Maighread wanted Aiden to marry.

"Och, you make me sound completely useless," Rebbie protested. "Truth is, Dirk is so distracted by a certain dark-eyed, voluptuous lass that someone could charge him from the front, sword drawn, and he'd likely not see them if she was in the room."

Dirk's face heated. Damnation, how he hated blushing. "This is serious. Let's try to focus."

"I'm being most serious. Anytime he's around Isobel, he'll need two bodyguards, one to watch his back and one to watch his front," he told the other two men.

They chuckled and eyed him. "I thought she was betrothed to someone else," Keegan said.

"Aye, she is. And let's not change the subject," Dirk said, determined to get back on topic. "My stepmother likely won't try anything herself. She'll get one of her servants or one of her guards to do it. She'll be creative. Her mind is more twisted and devious than anyone I've ever met, but she hides it from those closest to her. Her friends, hell, even my own father had no inkling how conniving she is."

"I certainly remember what happened when you were almost killed," Keegan said, his blue eyes stormy and troubled. "You're like a brother to me and you're the rightful chief and laird. I'll be honored to be your personal guard if that's what you're wanting."

"Aye. I would like that. And I thank you," Dirk said, feeling grateful and humbled to have another good friend. He turned to the son of his father's sword-bearer. "Erskine, we were ever friends when we were lads. 'Twas likely a miracle you were not with Will and me when the disaster at Faraid Head happened."

"'Tis true."

"Would you be willing to be my personal guard as well, at least until I know who else I can trust?"

"Aye, I'd be more than happy to."

Surely Dirk could trust these two men. He hoped. He hadn't been around them in twelve years, so he wasn't one hundred percent certain of anything. He had to figure out which members of the clan were trustworthy and which ones Maighread might pay to murder him.

***

Isobel followed Maighread into the castle's south-facing solar. The weak winter sun shone through the three narrow windows, highlighting the blue and gold Turkish carpet spread upon the floor. The two ladies who'd arrived with her followed also.

"Close the door," Maighread told her servant once they were all inside. "This is my best friend's daughter, Isobel MacKenzie, countess of Jedwarth." Maighread told the two women. "And this is Lady Seona Murray and her aunt, Patience Murray. Lady Seona is to marry Aiden."

Isobel curtseyed. "A pleasure to meet you both."

The two women returned pleasantries.

Seona was young, perhaps a score years and her aunt was about two score. Both were attractive, dark-haired and shared a strong resemblance with their oval faces, ivory skin and full, Cupid's bow lips.

They took seats around the fireplace, except for Maighread, who paced. The maid added bricks of peat to the glowing, smoking coals.

"I cannot believe that man claims to be my stepson. And what lies he tells. I hope none of you believe his insane accusations against me."

"Nay, of course not, m'lady," Patience said.

Seona merely shook her head. Isobel did the same, not wanting Maighread to suspect she was on Dirk's side.

Maighread appeared to accept their words and calm herself. She sat in a chair opposite Isobel. "'Tis a grand surprise to find you here, Lady Jedwarth. What were you doing out in a snowstorm?" Maighread asked.

"Please call me Isobel," she said, stalling for time. She truly hated being called Lady Jedwarth, and she was not yet prepared to reveal all. Isobel's mother had trusted Maighread with all her secrets, but Isobel didn't, given that Dirk accused her of being a murderer. And she knew the other women not at all. They might have clan ties to the MacLeods, which meant Isobel couldn't reveal all about her escape from Munrick. "'Tis a long story. And I wouldn't wish to bore you ladies," Isobel said.

Maighread sent her a sympathetic smile, or was it patronizing?

"Are you the same Isobel MacKenzie who was to marry the MacLeod chief?" Patience asked.