My Brave Highlander(88)

Rebbie snickered and caught up with him at the end of the corridor. "How are you feeling, by the way?"

"Better." Dirk only had a mild headache this morn. Although not pleasant, it was tolerable.

"I'd say you had one hell of a night," Rebbie said.

"What are you talking about?" Dirk paused, hoping—nay, praying—Rebbie knew naught of what had happened between him and Isobel.

When Rebbie gave a knowing chuckle, Dirk realized the truth of it.

"Spying on me now?" Dirk demanded.

Rebbie shook his head, hardly able to contain his amusement. At least he was trying to keep it low key so as not to draw attention. "I came to check on you earlier and I heard you two arguing."

"Eavesdropping? That's low, even for you."

"I couldn't hear what you were saying, despite a few yells." He snorted. "Besides, Erskine guarded your door all night. He knows Isobel never left your room until this morn."

"Some guard he is if he can't even keep his mouth shut. I'm going to have a talk with him. Where is he now, by the way?"

"He needed to go relieve himself, so I told him I'd guard you for a little while. He's new to it. And he figured you wouldn't mind if I knew about Isobel."

"I do mind. I was injured and the healer gave me some kind of drugging potion. Most likely opium poppy. I was not myself and hardly remember it."

"Och. 'Tis damned unfortunate. Because, of a certainty, you want to remember when you've…."

Dirk sent him a cutting glare, warning him not to go too far. He would tolerate no crude remarks about Isobel. "Say naught of it. Maighread and her people cannot find out or Isobel could be in danger." That was the important thing. Of course, she probably already knew, if Haldane had anything to do with it.

"I'll tell no one. You ken that. But I wish to congratulate you." Rebbie held out his hand for a shake.

"What for?"

"You're going to marry her, are you not?"

Dirk's heart rate quickened at the thought, for he did want to marry her. But he didn't yet know how he'd accomplish that, given all the obstacles in his way. "Aye, of course. 'Tis the only honorable thing to do considering she was…." Dirk snapped his mouth closed.

"Was what?" Rebbie's dark eyes widened with curiosity.

"She's a lady," Dirk amended.

"Forget honor. That woman will make you happy."

"How do you know? You're no expert on marital bliss. Besides, the very thought of marriage terrifies you, does it not?"

Rebbie shrugged. "This is not about me. You're different with her. And clearly, she cares about your health, considering how she warmed you up with her almost bare body last night. She's precisely what you need to get you out of your grumpy mood."

"I'm not grumpy," Dirk muttered, distracted by the delightful memory of Isobel lying on his naked body the night before to share heat, naught but the thin smock between them. She'd warmed him up, for a certainty. His shaft had been awakened first, ready for action even before he could feel his numb toes.

He adjusted his sporran, making sure the pouch concealed his burgeoning arousal at an awkward time. The kilt was one of his father's clean belted plaids. He thought it appropriate for the hearing with the MacKay clan. He also wore an ivory linen shirt and a gray doublet he'd brought with him.

Continuing on, they passed a group of clansmen. Rebbie nodded to them and changed the subject. "And how is your head feeling this morn?" he asked Dirk. "There's still a nasty red mark on it and a bruise."

Given that Rebbie had already asked about his health, he knew it was for show. "Better. It doesn't pain me as much."

"Are you hungry?"

"Nay. A servant brought me bannocks and eggs earlier."

The great hall was a buzz of activity. Several clansmen fell silent when they noticed Dirk and Rebbie enter, then they came forward to inquire after Dirk's injury. He was glad to see most members of the clan were concerned about his well-being, and that they were also welcoming.

All the elder male clan members and gentlemen of the clan, including Haldane, Uncle Conall and Keegan sat down around the tables in the great hall, as did Rebbie and Erskine, while Dirk and Aiden took seats at the high table. His father's ceann-cath or sword-bearer, his fear sporain or treasurer, and others who held official positions were also present. Maighread lurked in one darkened corner like a hungry spider. He ignored her poison scowl and glanced around.

Isobel entered and stood on the opposite side of the room with Jessie, Seona, and several more women. Isobel's dark gaze always bewitched him, even now, at twenty paces. What power did she hold over him? He had to stop staring at her for she distracted him far too much.