Page 23 of Sins of a Scot
“Aye,” Owen jumped in, “and seeing that Lady Iseabail needed our help, I have agreed tae help her.”
Eden was looking from Owen to Iseabail and back again. Owen prayed that she wasn’t sensing their huge omissions and creative truths, but by her expression, she seemed both bemused and disturbed. He could only hope her reason for that was the fact that Iseabail had experienced a dreadful ordeal, even though they had not actually mentioned it yet.
“And what help is it that ye need, me lady?” Madigan asked again. “Whatever assistance ye need, we will surely provide.”
“I, er, well, I must journey…”
“Home,” Owen cut in quickly. “She must journey home, and given she has lost her guards, I have offered tae help her.”
“How on earth did ye lose yer guards?” Eden asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Tis a long story, me lady. I am only grateful that I met Owen. I dinnae ken what I would have done otherwise.”
“I have offered tae accompany Lady Mackay back tae… back tae,” he hesitated again, knowing that Iseabail had to follow on from whatever he was about to say.
“Well, tae the castle, really,” Iseabail said. “That is the final destination, after all.”
Owen could not help but feel impressed with the swiftness in which she picked up his struggle. She was certainly no fool, and so far, it appeared that Lady Iseabail Mackay was far cleverer than she looked.
Daire now appeared completely flabbergasted with everything the two had said so far. His eyes had darted from one to the other as they had spoken, and now, he just gawked at Owen looking utterly bewildered.
“Then I must gather some guards tae accompany ye, me lady,” Madigan said, clearly taking all this in and only seeing the distress of a helpless woman.
“Though I am grateful tae ye fer yer offer, me laird. I dinnae think it necessary. There is a possibility we may meet me own on our travels.”
Owen nearly winced at her words, for surely, there was no possibility at all of that happening. But as his mind worked quickly, he imagined that she might be thinking that the closer they got to the castle, the higher the chances were, and thus, her words were not untrue.
“In fact,” Owen added, “if that is the case, I will then return. I might nae even have tae travel all the way.”
“That’s right,” Iseabail said.
Eden still looked slightly perturbed by their story and Owen was certain she was suspicious. But by the fact that she hadn’t said anything, not in that moment at any rate, Owen could only hope they had succeeded.
“Well, we are both very sorry this has happened tae ye, Lady Iseabail,” Eden said. “Owen is a brave warrior and the best scout we have. If he cannae find yer guards, then naeone can.”
Iseabail then turned to Owen and the two shared a look. “Is that right?” she said, a slight smile growing on her lips.
Great. Now she has even more reason tae keep me close.
“Eden exaggerates,” Owen replied, trying to keep the frustration from his voice.
“Och, it’s nae like ye tae be so modest, Owen,” Eden said with a smile. “In fact, I’m surprised ye havenae bragged about yer many talents tae Lady Iseabail already.”
Madigan chuckled and shared a knowing look with his wife, while Owen could feel his face reddening.
“Well, I am eternally grateful tae ye all, both fer yer hospitality and yer help,” Iseabail said. Looking at Eden, she continued. It has been more than distressing.”
“I can only imagine,” Madigan replied.
Now the worst was over, Owen relaxed a little. They had managed to get through it, as nerve-wracking as it had been. Lady Mackay seemed like a determined woman, and he had no doubt in his mind that if things had not quite gone to plan, she would have made true on her threat to tell his father everything. He just couldn’t let that happen. But it had gone as he had hoped, and now, all he had to do was eat and leave.
The sooner the better. The longer we stay here, the more chance o’ us letting the cat out o’ the bag.
“I see that yer husband and Owen wear the same crystal necklaces, me lady,” Iseabail said. “Where they a gift from ye?”
Owen nearly choked on his tea at her question.
What is she doing? This wasnae part o’ the plan.
