My Brave Highlander(85)

"Well, I'm sure you remember that Haldane saw us in bed together last night when I was warming you, so she'll assume the worst."

'Slud! He'd forgotten about Haldane. All his memories of last night were foggy.

"She would not harm me, surely, given who my mother was. Would she?"

"Don't be naïve, Isobel. And never underestimate that woman. She is a poisonous snake in the grass."

"I won't say anything about us spending the night together, obviously," she said meekly while staring at the floor, avoiding his gaze. He wanted to tell her not to be cross with him. He was doing the best he could. But he'd probably muddle that too. She was the first woman he'd shared more than a passing conversation or roll betwixt the sheets with. He knew how to talk to men in a straightforward, honest way, not caring whether they liked what he said or not.

Women were different. They took things the wrong way and developed hurt feelings over the merest slight. He would have to remember to consider his words carefully before he said much to her.

Damn, how she tempted him. He wanted naught but to grab her, take her back to bed and devour those rosy pink lips of hers. He yearned to remember every sharp and luscious detail of what it had been like with her, but the herbs had clouded his memories.

"Opium poppy," he said.

"What?"

"Nannag must have put opium in that tea." He remembered its effects now, because he'd had it before, following a battle wound.

"I didn't know she would give it to you."

"Don't fash yourself over it." He was simply glad to understand why he'd lost control so easily.

Fully dressed now, she approached the door, then glanced back at him. "I will see you at the hearing."

Wishing he could say more, he nodded, then watched her exit.

He would have her again. But next time, he would do things right. He'd obtain her brother's permission and then he would marry her. He couldn't touch her again before then.

***

"I told you Isobel was his whore," Haldane said to Maighread in the solar, the morning sun shining in.

"What are you talking about? They said she was trying to get him warm because he'd fallen into the water." Of course, to do such a thing was indecent, especially since Isobel was a lady and not a healer.

"Well, she must have warmed him all night then, for she never left his chamber and never returned to her own."

"How do you know this?" Maighread demanded. "Are you following her about?"

"Not me. One of the maids is keeping an eye on her for me." He grinned, making her wonder what else the maid was doing for him.

More importantly, what in blazes was Isobel MacKenzie doing? Betrothed to a chief and sleeping with another man? Playing with a fire that could set off an explosion of clan wars between the MacKays and the MacLeods.

Did Dirk love the lass? If Isobel wasn't the daughter of her dearest friend, Maighread would send a missive to the MacLeods so fast they'd think a gale was blowing through. Although she wanted Dirk to be in all sorts of danger, she didn't want to endanger Isobel, but the lass was not proving to be too canny or ladylike.

"I thank you for telling me, Haldane. I'll deal with them."

He nodded and left the room.

Aiden still waited by the door. "You wanted to see me?"

"You're taking me to see McMurdo," Maighread said.

"Nay, Mother. The dungeon is a filthy place."

"Do you think I care? You're going to tell the guards to allow me entrance. You're still chief… until the hearing, at least. The clan may side with the imposter, but the battle isn't over yet."

"I don't think you should see or talk to McMurdo. He is a dangerous criminal and he could hurt you."

"He'll not be able to touch me!"

Aiden narrowed his eyes. "What are your plans?"

Why was her wee son now questioning her actions? He'd never done that before. "I'm not going to break him out. He deserves to be there. He's a murderer after all, but I need to speak to him for a few minutes about the grave site he paid your father and the church for."

"Very well, but I must ask a favor of you."

"Anything, my dear. Do you not know I would do anything for you?" she cooed, hoping her naïve son would believe her.

"I will count on it, then. I ask that you leave Dirk be. I ask that you not harm him nor hire anyone else to harm him."

"Why, Aiden," she said as dramatically as she could muster, given that she wasn't the least bit surprised that he'd sided with his big brother. "What sort of person do you think I am? I would never hurt anyone, imposter or not. I simply don't want him stealing what is rightfully yours."

"I don't see how you can say that when you know he is Da's eldest son."