Chapter 4 #2
“Aye, and she tried her best tae love me, she really did. There’s a lot ye need tae learn about life, Isla.
And I ken ye are angry. I ken ye are thinking that there might be some way for ye tae outsmart me, but Kai thought the same and I sent him back tae Stormhaven licking his wounds.
Ye could hae a good life here. Be a dutiful wife, dae as I tell ye, and provide Iain with strong heirs.
He will be a powerful man in the coming years.
There is gaeing tae be a lot of land tae be conquered, and it will all be his. ”
“His? Ye would nae give it all tae him.”
“Well, he will need advising of course, and I’m sure that with our alliance I shall be given plenty of land as well. A small holding will be enough, I think.”
He smiled, the kind of smile that told her he had other plans.
He wasn’t even attempting to hide it anymore.
He didn’t care about Iain at all. He just wanted the marriage to tie the two clans.
They were all pawns to him and the Highlands was his game board.
He was moving them all about as he saw fit, and Isla just wanted to scream.
She swallowed that instinct. It was as bitter as poison.
“I’m going tae tell ye what’s gaeing tae happen.
We are gaeing tae bring the wedding forward sae we can cement the alliance as quickly as possible.
I’m sure there will nae be any objection from Iain.
He will gain a loyal bride who will give him wise counsel, and yer dear mother will keep breathing.
As for yer wee lion, he will walk intae a trap and ye will see tae it yerself. Ye will be his undaeing.”
He leaned forward, his lips close to her ear. “And if ye dare dae anything against me, ye will be condemning yer mother tae death. Think about that, Isla, and remember that I hae already won. All I need tae dae now is watch my victory play out,” he said.
Isla glared at him. She shook her head and knew that if she remained in that room for even a moment longer she was going to explode. She turned on her heels and slammed the door behind her.
Her cheeks glowed crimson and her eyes were hot with tears. The worst thing was that she feared her father was right. There was no safe place. Her father had seen to that when he sowed destruction in every corner of the Highlands.
He had Iain’s ear, and of course Iain was going to accept his advice. She would have to be careful with what she said against her father, because then questions would be asked and the more Iain knew, the more danger he was in.
It was impossible, she thought. If only she could be certain that her mother was safe… and as for Gavin, well, all she hoped was that he heeded her words and left this place.
There was nothing for him here but danger.
Isla heard rapid footsteps behind her. She tensed, preparing herself for another ambush by Gavin, but when she spun around she saw Iain standing there. His brow was dusted with sweat and his cheeks were rosy.
“Isla, I was calling yer name,” he said.
“Och, sorry, I was in my own world,” she said, feigning a smile.
“I just received word from my younger brother. He’s studying in Inverness and invited us tae visit. I thought it might be nice after the wedding. I ken it’s nae perfect time with everything that’s happening, but well… I hoped we might hae some time taegether and put thoughts of the war behind us.”
“That does sound wonderful,” Isla said, although her smile was faltering. The last thing she wanted was to leave the Highlands now. “But surely we hae a duty tae remain here until this matter is dealt with? Who would watch over the clan in yer stead?”
“I’m sure yer Da would nae mind,” he said.
Isla bit her tongue. Her head dropped.
“Iain, I ken that ye respect my father, but there is something I must ask ye if I am tae be yer wife,” she began. A serious expression came upon Iain’s face, his smile fading. “What will ye dae if Da and I disagree on something? Whose advice would ye choose?”
Iain considered the matter by stroking his chin.
“I would dae whatever I thought best for the clan.” Then, he grinned.
“Although I’m sure such a situation would never arise.
Ye and yer Da are one and the same. And speaking from someone who lost his father…
dinnae disagree with him, Isla. Time is short.
Cherish it while ye can, because ye hae nae idea how long it will last.” He touched her cheek tenderly.
“There’s nae need tae fret. Everything will be perfect. ”
Isla’s smile was hesitant. She thanked him and then made her way back to her chamber. She inspected her chest, wardrobe, and dresser. To her surprise the hairs were still where she left them.
But there was something different, something that stilled her heart and made her breath catch in her throat. It rested on the table beside her bed.
Someone had been in her room, someone who was most decidedly not supposed to be there.
She picked up the long-stemmed wildflower and stroked the soft petals, and her heart sank.
“Gavin… why can ye nae listen tae me?” she whispered and let the wildflower fall to the bed. A sense of dread creeping into her heart.