Page 61 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
She stopped in front of a painting that looked newer than the rest. It was of a woman with long, dark hair and the same wild gray eyes that Struan had. She pointed to it.
“This is Rhona, isnae it?”
Mairi stepped over to her, grief etched into her features but also the unmistakable light of pride and affection filling her eyes as well. Isolde admired the bond between the siblings.
She nodded. “Aye. Struan had this portrait commissioned… after. After Rhona… died,” she said, her tone edged with sadness. “Fer havin’ done it by memory, our artist did a remarkable job. He got everythin’ about her right. The high cheekbones, the way her eyes glittered, even the color in her cheeks. ‘Tis perfect.”
“She was a strikin’ woman. ‘Tis nae hard tae see why he remembered her so vividly.”
As Isolde’s gaze drifted, it caught on the rich tapestry hanging beside Rhona’s portrait. It bore the house sigil, but a slight bulge near the edge made her pause. She tilted her head.
“Is that... a seam?” she asked, stepping closer. “Or am I imagining things?”
Mairi’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. “Ye’ve sharp eyes,” she said, brushing past Isolde to tug the tapestry aside. Behind it lay a shallow recess. She reached in and pulled a small lever hidden in the stone. A click echoed, followed by the sharp scrape of stone. Mairi pushed the wall and Isolde smiled as it swung inward on hidden hinges, revealing a secret passageway. Isolde stepped closer and saw the flight of stairs that led down.
“Where daes this go?” she asked.
“The stairs lead tae a corridor that runs beneath the yard and tae curtain wall,” she said. “There’s another staircase at the end that leads tae a hidden door that opens tae that forest beyond the walls. ‘Tis meant as an escape route should Achnacarry ever fall.”
“’Tis wise.”
Mairi nodded. “Aye. We’ve nae had tae use it before and I hope we never have tae. Achnacarry is me home and I cannae bear the thought of runnin’ from it.”
“I hope ye never have tae either.”
She closed the door and straightened out the tapestry again, concealing the lever that opened the door. Isolde made a quick note of it though. That passageway was going to come in handy when she finally made ready to leave.
“Are ye hungry?” Mairi asked brightly.
“Ravenous.”
“Me too,” she replied. “Let’s go eat.”
“Lead the way.”
Mairi led her to the kitchens where she asked some scullery maids them to make them their morning meal. After that, she led Isolde back to the family dining hall, chatting with her the entire time. Isolde enjoyed Mairi’s company. She suspected with the death of her sister, Mairi had lacked female companionship as well, and was enjoying having her there to talk to.
“When we’re done eatin’, we’ll go tae me chamber. I’ve got some dresses I think would look good on ye,” she said. “Ye can wear those until we have some proper dresses made up fer ye.”
“’Tis too kind. I couldnae possibly?—”
Mairi cut her off with a wave of her hand. “Ye can and ye will,” she said. “Ye’re a guest here and I want ye tae be comfortable. Happy even.”
“Thank ye, Mairi.”
The woman flashed Isolde a smile as their meals were brought in and laid out on the table before them. As they tucked into them, Isolde was nearly overcome by the bond of friendship she felt for Mairi. The woman had no guile. No deception. Shewas simply enjoying spending time with her. And Isolde was enjoying spending time with her too.
It once again drove that icy dagger of guilt deeper into her heart. Mairi had been so kind to her and knowing she was going to flee from Achnacarry in the middle of the night made her feel awful. But she knew it would be easier for everybody.
And fer meself…
Isolde feared that if she said goodbye to Struan, he would find a way to talk her out of it. And since a big part of her wanted to stay, that made it all the more pressing that she left as soon as she was able to.
CHAPTER 26
The hard clack of their wooden blades echoed around the walls of the courtyard. Struan was slicked with a sheen of sweat and took a few steps back, then leaned over, hands on his knees to catch his breath. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow, splashing onto the soft sand on the ground beneath him. His muscles ached and he felt stiff.
“Are ye gettin’ old on me, then?” Ewan teased.
