The Highlander's Heart (26 page)

Isabelle shut her mouth and cringed inwardly. She had not meant to call attention to herself. “I am Lady Tynsdale.” Isabelle gave the lady no curtsy. She deserved none for speaking with disrespect to Campbell’s sisters.

Eileen looked at Isabelle as if she was something she had scraped off her shoe. “Aye, the English hostage. Should she no’ be locked in a tower or a pit somewhere? I assure ye, there will be many changes when I am the Lady Campbell.” Eileen turned to speak to one of her maids, though she did not bother to lower her voice. “I suppose I canna blame them. They can hardly ken better being raised in the Highlands.” The maids twittered in response.

“Mairi!” Eileen called out her name as if she would beckon a servant. “After I wed Campbell, I think it best for ye to live elsewhere. I dinna wish for the servants to feel mixed in their loyalties. Ye can understand that, I’m sure. If we canna find ye some man to marry, I’m sure Campbell has someplace else ye can live.” Eileen gave her a broad, false smile. “I’m sure ye can understand the necessity for a fresh start.”

Mairi remained silent, her face giving nothing away. Eileen went back to speaking with her own maids, utterly ignoring the other women in the room. The rest of the room was silent, watching them. Mairi’s face was passive, but in her eyes was a glint that Isabelle had seen on Campbell before.

Lady Eileen was in grave danger.

***

Isabelle had been pondering the question of how to help free Andrew. Of course, she had not had the best luck in trying to escape Campbell herself. She also had some doubts whether Andrew McNab made a particularly wise marriage alliance. But she had promised to help Cait. Besides, Cait was in raptures over him, so he could not be all bad.

“Do not fear, Cait, I’ve got a plan,” said Isabelle. They walked behind the group of women heading to the great hall for supper.

Cait walked slower, her eyes filled with the trusting anticipation of a puppy.

“I was taught a few things about herbs,” said Isabelle. “There is one that, when swallowed, gives the victim the appearance of death. Andrew could take this drug and then the guards will think he is expired and take him out for burial. You could also take this medicine and then when he wakes in the crypt, you will be there too.”

Cait stared at her in disbelief. “That’s the worst plan I’ve ever heard of in my life! Where’er did ye get such a terrible idea?”

“Well,” said Isabelle, feeling rather unappreciated. “It was only a thought.”

A gillie brushed past them with a hasty bow on his way to give Mairi a message.

Mairi bore the report that Lady Eileen was indisposed, and too ill to come to the table, with equanimity. It was whispered by some of Campbell’s younger sisters that Eileen was not able to be parted from her chamber pot at present.

“I shall see what I can do to help,” said Mairi, and went back down the corridor toward Isabelle.

“Go to the table, Cait, I’ll see if I can help Mairi,” said Isabelle and followed Mairi to a small room of drying herbs.

“Can I help you minister to the Lady Eileen?” asked Isabelle, skirting around what she really wanted to say.

“Nay, thank ye, Lady Tynsdale.”

“I am surprised you did not kill her.”

Mairi looked up sharply and studied Isabelle with grave eyes. “She is the daughter o’ the Douglas. I feared in death she would prove more irksome than in life.”

“Hardly seems possible,” said Isabelle.

“She is also betrothed to my brother.”

“You are all charity.”

Mairi gave a wicked smile. “I doubt Lady Eileen would agree wi’ ye.” Mairi swept out of the room, the picture of serenity.

“Nay,” said Campbell without looking up. He swept the sharpening stone over his blade with an easy, fluid movement, the early morning sun glinting off the blade.

“I promise you I will not run away.” Isabelle flashed her prettiest smile. It was getting her nowhere, especially since Campbell refused to look at her. The Campbell sisters were planning an excursion to the small village across the loch from Innis Chonnel that morning, to visit with a group of traveling merchants. Though Isabelle had not yet figured a way to free Andrew, she wished to be among the party. Even Cait was planning to go, the arrival of merchants this far in the Highlands being reason for some excitement.

“Again,” said Campbell.

“Pardon?”

“You promise not to run away again.”

“Well, yes, except that I never promised not to run away before, so this would be the first time.”

“How many times have you run on me? Four? Five?”

“That you know of,” muttered Isabelle.

“What’s that?” Campbell finally glanced up at her.

Isabelle gave him a winning smile. One she hoped conveyed how trustworthy and delightful she could be.

“Nay,” Campbell repeated.

So much for the smile. “But we are only going to the village, in sight of the castle. I’ll be with your sisters the whole time. And I promise not to run away.”

“Nay.”

“I just want to see the beautiful sights of the far bank.” This was not true.

He raised an eyebrow.

“Cait says there are traveling silk merchants, and I want to convince your sisters to beggar you by buying more than they ought.”

Campbell smiled. “The truth at last.”

“So I can go?”

“Nay.”

“You are a cruel man, David Campbell.”

“Aye.” He did not appear at all displeased with the prospect.

“David, David!” Rabbie raced up to him.

Campbell’s body tensed and he stood, ready for battle. “What be the matter? Are ye well?”

“Fine, I’m fine. The sisters are forever asking me that. Dinna ye be all worrit too.”

Campbell relaxed. “What do ye want? Ye’re disturbing me.” But Isabelle could see the lad had his brother’s full attention.

“We’re going to the village and I’m going to show Isa—Lady Tynsdale the specimens I found.”

“She is no’ going anywhere,” said Campbell.

“Specimens?” asked Isabelle.

“Why can she no’ come wi’ us? ’Tis only to the village.”

“She canna be trusted outside the gates wi’out a guard,” said Campbell.

“I will guard her,” said Rabbie proudly. He stood tall and jutted out his chin.

“I dinna ken…”

“Ye said I was better. Ye said I was a man now,” said Rabbie accusingly.

Campbell glared at Rabbie, then Isabelle, with weary eyes. He made a sick, growling sound and Isabelle knew she had won. “Verra well. But keep a close eye on her. She’s a slippery eel and no mistake.”

“I can do it. Just wait until ye see the huge insects I’ve found.” Rabbie flashed Isabelle a smile and ran across the courtyard to the keep. Isabelle waited to shudder until he was out of sight.

“Ye’ve made yerself a friend for life if ye take an interest in those vermin o’ his.”

“Perhaps you are right. I should stay here.”

Campbell smiled. “Thank ye for yer kindness to Rabbie. He is fond o’ ye. Dinna make me regret this.”

Isabelle saw both the sincerity and the warning in his eyes. He took her hand and kissed it. Before she could think of something clever to say in response, he turned and disappeared around the side of the building.

Isabelle slowly followed his path and peered around the building. It opened onto the lists, where men trained to be warriors. Isabelle put a hand to the rough stones and kept herself mostly hidden behind the corner of the wall as she watched Campbell. He walked forward toward his men with an easy confidence and was greeted with good-natured enthusiasm.

Many of his brothers were there and they insulted him for his lateness. Isabelle was shocked for a moment, but Campbell insulted them in return and drew his sword. Three attacked him at once, which was rather unfair, but soon she could see that this was his younger brothers’ only chance. Campbell not only held his own but took the time to be instructional as they fought.

“Parry quick, Hamish. Nay, too slow!” Campbell struck down and knocked the sword from Hamish’s hands, he swore and lunged to retrieve it. Other Campbell men took up the fight, but Campbell only laughed. Isabelle smiled, watching him. He was enjoying himself, laughing and goading his men while they whacked at each other with giant, deadly swords. This was not a safe game, but he played it well.

“He is a verra braw man, my brother,” said a female voice behind Isabelle.

Isabelle nearly jumped out of her shoes. She turned to see Mairi regarding her carefully, her arms folded across her chest. Isabelle blushed down to her toes. She tried to think of some legitimate reason to be hovering around corners watching the men at the lists, but her mind went treacherously blank. Stupid brain. It always abandoned her when she needed it most.

“I was…” Isabelle hoped something clever would pop into her mouth if she just got started. Nothing came to mind.

“Ye were gawking at my brother like a starving man staring at a side o’ beef.”

Well, there was that. Denials were pointless, so Isabelle just closed her mouth and waited for Mairi to get to the point.

“Do ye have no respect for yer husband?”

“No,” answered Isabelle quickly. That, at least, was an easy question.

“No love for him.”

“None.” Another easy one.

“And what then do ye feel for my brother?”

Isabelle drew a sharp breath. This was not such an easy question.

“I will no’ mince words wi’ ye.” Mairi gave her a withering stare. “I see the way he looks at ye and ye at him. But take care to recall that his betrothed is here within these walls.”

Isabelle raised an eyebrow. “You support Lady Eileen?” Surely Mairi would not defend the woman who insulted everyone she met, and whom Mairi poisoned last night in revenge. Though Eileen had indeed recovered and was as irritable as ever this morn.

“I expect David to marry her, and shortly. He has called for a priest to do the last rites and to perform a wedding. If ye were unwed it may be different, but ye are married to our enemy. David must marry the Douglas harpy and ye must return to your husband, though it pleases few, it must be.” Mairi gave her a clear look of warning. “I will prevent anyone from interfering with this marriage. Do we have a clear understanding on this?”

Isabelle nodded. She did not wish to be the object of Mairi’s displeasure.

“Who is dying?” Isabelle called after Mairi, recalling that she mentioned something about last rites.

“The prisoner has been tried and found guilty. He will hang.” Mairi strode off toward the keep.

Isabelle sighed and shook her head. Cait would not take this well. She expected Isabelle to save Andrew… but how? Isabelle walked slowly back to the keep to meet with the other sisters for their excursion to see the traveling merchants.

She must devise a plan, and soon.

***

Isabelle accompanied the Campbell sisters to the village, but the joy of the escapade had been drained. Mairi’s words washed over her like a bucket of ice-cold loch water. The priest would be here soon no doubt, and that would mean the end of young Andrew McNab, and David’s marriage to the most venomous snake womanhood had ever boasted as its member. This was not going well at all.

Cait linked arms with her and even smiled with enjoyment. Isabelle had not the heart to tell her Andrew had been sentenced to death. She noted that Mairi also did not volunteer the information.

“I wish to find some cloth to make a wedding dress,” whispered Cait, her golden hair flowing in the soft breeze. “I hope David will release him soon. Then we need only to convince him to allow me to wed Andrew.”

There was so little hope for that sentiment, Isabelle did not know how to begin. “This looks a pleasant village,” she said instead.

The village was indeed pleasant, and the traders had set out wagons of wares. Whoever had given the report that they had silk had been correct. Isabelle brushed her hands over a soft silk the color of a light blue sky. It would look very nice trimmed in silver, particularly with Cait’s coloring. She was thinking again of Cait’s wedding to the doomed man. Isabelle sighed. Unhappy topic. How was she ever going to save Andrew?

Isabelle brushed her hands over a scarlet bundle of damask. She had a bundle not unlike this at home. She doubted she would ever see it again. Another sigh escaped her lips.

“I can see m’lady is no’ pleased wi’ the wares. But I have more, here in the wagon. Come, let me show ye our finer weaves.”

Isabelle absently let herself be taken to the back of the wagon. She was well within sight of the Campbell sisters.

“My lady,” whispered the man when they could no longer be heard. Isabelle started at the familiarity of his voice. She stared at his face, recognition hitting her with a physical force.

The captain of her guard grabbed her hand to keep her from falling.

“Nay, I can see ye are still no’ pleased. But wait; I have something here ye will like,” said her guard in a loud voice and drew her farther to the back of the wagon.

“My lady, are you well?” asked Captain Corbett in a cautious whisper.

“Yes, yes, but this is incredible!”

“What’s incredible, Isabelle?” asked Cait behind her.

“Why… why these prices. Are they not remarkable?” said Isabelle.

Cait frowned. “I woud’na say so.” Cait gave her a look that said she thought Isabelle was a poor negotiator and wandered off to shop some more.

“Why are you here?” Isabelle’s brain was whirling in a dizzy attempt to comprehend the meaning of the man before her.

“I have sworn to protect you. We obtained the ransom demand Laird Campbell sent to Tynsdale and came to rescue you.”

“Captain Corbett, you are truly remarkable, but how did you travel through Scotland?” Isabelle was incredulous.

“I am merely a humble merchant.”

“You posed as a merchant to pass through Scot territory? Oh, that was my damask I saw there! But how are you able to blend in? You sounded very much the Scot.”

“My mother was a Scot, but this is not important. We must free you. It is Campbell who is holding you for ransom?”

“Yes, he sent word to Lord Tynsdale demanding ransom for my release, though he has changed his mind about that now.”

“He will receive no ransom, for Lord Tynsdale is—”

“Isabelle, come look at this,” called Cait.

“We must get you out of here, m’lady,” Corbett said in a low voice.

“I cannot leave now,” Isabelle whispered back.

“My men can cause a distraction and we can run.”

“No, I gave my word. I cannot go now.” Isabelle thought fast, looking at the cart of wares. “Is there some reason you could come to the castle? You could sneak a person out in your cart when you leave.”

Her guard thought a moment. “I have ten men with me. I’m not sure why they would ask us to go into the castle.”

Isabelle remembered the troubadour who seemed to go anywhere he wished. “Is there any act you could do? Can you sing?”

“Nay,” said her guard, looking affronted, but then he thought for a moment. “Some of my men like to tumble, a few quite good at it.”

“Could you make it into some kind of acrobatic performance?”

“I suppose I—”

“Mairi!” called Isabelle. “This man says his brothers are acrobats. Do let’s invite them in to perform tonight.” Isabelle clasped her hands in excitement and smiled. It was no act, she was excited.

Mairi frowned as if weighing her options.

“And they juggle,” added Isabelle, sweetening the deal.

“Ooooh, Mairi, let’s invite them in. I love jugglers,” said Fiona.

Mairi shrugged and gave her consent to the plan.

“I don’t know how to juggle,” whispered her captain.

Isabelle smiled at him. “You have till supper to learn.”

Isabelle went to find Rabbie with a bounce in her step. He promised to show her his favorite insects by the bank of the loch and the hills above, and she would not miss it for anything. Isabelle smiled. She would save Andrew and her people. She had a plan.