Page 71 of The Highlander's Illicit Bride
It was Owen, the most outspoken of the group, who sat forward. He was quiet for a moment, eyeing her with skepticism on his face. Struan’s body grew taut knowing the onslaught of questions and doubt that would be forthcoming, and he gripped Isolde’s waist harder.
“And how dae we ken ye’re nae tryin’ tae lead us intae a trap then, eh?” he asked.
“I’ve nae love fer me faither. Nor dae I wish tae marry a man as cruel as Dougal MacPherson,” she said firmly. “Ye can choose tae nae believe me, of course. ‘Tis yer choice. But ye asked tae hear from me and this is what I’m sayin’. I am speakin’ true.”
“And how did ye happen tae escape?” Owen asked.
A wan smile touched her lips. “’Twas Laird Cameron who unknowingly provided me with the opportunity,” she said. “When he escaped from me faither’s cells, I used the distractiontae slip away fer meself. I was pursued, of course, but Struan saved me from me faither’s men.”
“’Tis true,” Struan said. “When I came upon her, she was surrounded by her faither’s soldiers, who meant tae drag her back tae Moy Castle in chains.”
Struan watched closely, monitoring everybody’s expressions and body language. What he saw was encouraging. The skepticism had faded from their faces, and they all looked as impressed with her courage and resilience as he was. Even Owen’s naturally skeptical demeanor had ebbed.
“And ye fully understand what Laird Cameron is proposin’ here today, dae ye?” Owen asked.
Isolde turned to him and smiled. “Aye. He wants us tae be wed.”
“And dae ye understand the dangers inherent in that, lass?”
“Aye. I dae.”
“Yer faither could kill ye just fer marryin’ a man without his consent, lass. Fer ruining an alliance he had well secured. Ye still want tae put yerself in a danger like that and marry Laird Cameron, his biggest enemy?”
Her eyes never strayed from his and she smiled. She nodded. She turned to Struan and placed a gentle hand on his cheek, as if she’d forgotten they were standing in front of his Council. ButStruan leaned into her hand, savoring the warmth of her skin upon his cheek, and smiled back at her.
“Aye. I dae,” she said. “More than anythin’.”
The chamber was filled with the sound of the men shifting in their seats and quietly murmuring to each other. There was so much at stake, so much hanging in the balance. But in that moment, all Struan could see or hear was Isolde. The glimmer of love in her eyes warmed him from the inside out and he knew that with her by his side, all things were possible. She made him feel like he could do more. Could do… anything.
“Well, I think I can speak fer the Council,” Owen announced. “And I just want tae say we’re impressed with yer courage and candor, Lady Isolde.”
“Thank ye.”
“And knowin’ all the risk it entails, if ye want tae wed our dear laird, ye’ve got our blessin’,” he said.
“We’d be honored tae have ye as part of our clan, lass.”
CHAPTER 31
Things moved fast after Isolde spoke to the Council and the day of the wedding had arrived. Struan didn’t know how Isolde did it, but she had accessed parts of his mind and heart he never thought existed. And she’d done it without even trying. There was just something about her that compelled Struan to be open with her.
Isolde filled him with wild and untamed energy. It pushed him. Inspired him. But more than anything, it made him seek to be a better man. To think of the whole rather than his specific wants or needs. She had shown him a new way to see not just the world around him, but a new way to see himself too.
Struan’s mind continued to spin with everything going on as he searched the castle for Isolde. She hadn’t been in her bedchamber. She hadn’t been taking breakfast in the dining room or the great hall. And she wasn’t with Mairi. The more he searched, the more he began to worry.
Did somethin’ happen tae her? Did somebody take her?
The thought sent a white-hot bolt of fear straight through his heart.
Struan rushed to the front doors of the castle and turned to the guard who stood post. “Have ye seen Lady Isolde?” he asked, a note of panic tinging his voice. “Has she come out through these doors this mornin’?”
“Aye, me laird,” the guard replied. “She went out intae the stables about half an hour ago.”
The wave of relief that washed through his veins was instant and profound. Of course she was in the stables. She was probably out with Skye, the mare he’d gifted her a few days back. It was a way for him to show her how much he wanted to make her feel at home. And the mare seemed very fond of her, they grew on each other almost instantly.
He gave the guard a nod. “Thank ye.”
“Of course, me laird.”
