Isobel straightened out the bed before opening the bedroom door and stepping out in to the short hallway. She could already hear the voices downstairs. The pub sounded busy. It wasn't unusual for business to pick up on a Friday, but from upstairs things sounded much busier than normal. She made her way downstairs. The hum of voices got louder as she came to the bottom of the stairs. Running her hands down the front of her skirt to rid herself of any unwanted wrinkles, Isobel took a deep breath and headed out to the bar.
“Ah, lass, did ye sleep well?” Duncan asked, smiling at her as he poured a drink for one of the patrons.
“Yes, thank ye.” She said, surveying the room. “It's busy down here, why didn't ye come and wake me?”
“I can manage.” Duncan gave her a wink and placed the mug on the bar top.
“What can I do to help?” She asked.
“Well actually, lass. There's a young man come in lookin’ fer ye. Sat right over in the corner.” Duncan nodded his head to the far corner. Isobel glanced at the man and shook her head.
“Who is it?” She asked. Duncan laughed.
“Well I'll be damned if I know lass, he's lookin’ for ye not me.” He said.
“Did he say what he wanted?” She asked. Duncan shook his head again.
“Would ye like me to ask him?” He offered. Isobel shook her head.
“No need, I'll ask him myself.” She said, already slipping out from behind the bar.
The young man was handsome enough. Long dark hair and a thick beard. His green eyes glistened in the light of the lamp on his dim table. He seemed preoccupied with something in his hands but Isobel couldn't see what it was as she approached him.
“I heard as ye was lookin’ fer me?” She said bluntly. The young man looked up at her, startled and then a soft smile spread across his lips.
“Aye, lassie, I was.” He said. Isobel’s knees buckled and had she not had the table to catch herself on, she would have collapsed in a heap on the floor. Steadying herself with one hand, she stared at him, her eyes squinted. It couldn't be. It just wasn't possible. The young man stood up from the table, offering Isobel his hand. She took it and he helped her in to his seat. “The name is James Dunfield.” He said, keeping hold of her hand. Bringing it to his lips, he kissed it gently before dropping down on one knee. Opening his other hand, he revealed a small golden ring. “Isobel, I heard as how yer people do it is to get married an’ have a home of their own.” He said. Isobel looked in to his eyes, still not believing what was happening. “An’ while it isn't the way of my people to settle down, an’ while it isn't the way of my people to live in such a place as this…” His eyes searched her face, taking in her radiant, innocent beauty. “I can't bear the thought of a life without you.” He slipped the ring on to her finger gently. “Isobel, would ye be my wife?” He asked. A hush fell over the pub, but Isobel noticed nothing but the man who knelt before her.
“Yes.” She said. She didn't have to think about it. She had thought of no one else since James had slipped out of her window that night. The pub erupted in to cheers and applause and Isobel tugged James’s hand to bring him up off his feet. As she stood up, the two embraced and she pressed her mouth to his ear. “How did you find me?” She whispered.
“It's a small town.” James replied. “Besides, I had to ask ye father for ye hand, didn't I?” He pulled back and smiled at her broadly.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” She asked, her heart about to beat out of her chest. James nodded.
“Lassie, I wouldn't have it any other way. A gal like you canna live the life of a clans woman and me? Well, I canna live without ye. Ever since last night I canna get ye out of my head and no matter how I try, I canna imagine my life with anyone but ye.” He said. Isobel leaned in and kissed his lips gently, tasting the sweetness of his mouth.
“But yer givin’ up everythin’ just to be here with me…” She said after pulling back. James smiled, his whole face lighting up as he shrugged his broad shoulders.
“Lassie, I'd give up the whole world to sleep beside ye every night and to know that I can wake up beside ye each mornin’” he said.
Isobel’s heart soared as she looked down at the ring on her finger. She couldn't believe it, not only was the threat on Dunn Hill over, but a new life for her was about to begin. She couldn't have been happier.
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Prince Rupert
Stepbrother Romance
By: Lisa Cartwright
Copyright 2015 by Lisa Cartwright - All rights reserved.