Page 32 of Highlanders for the Holidays
Chapter 7
Ysenda watchedwith the rest of the clan as the Yuletide bonfire was lit in the courtyard. Sir No?l stood beside her. The flames illuminated his face. But his expression was still inscrutable, as it had been since he’d returned from the keep. She didn’t know what was wrong. Somehow he seemed…distant.
It was probably just as well. After failing to convince Cathalin to do the right thing and marry No?l, Ysenda figured her only hope was to make No?l fall in love with Cathalin. Once he saw her sister in her best light, surely he couldn’t help but be charmed by her. All men loved Cathalin. And of course, Cathalin would fall madly in love with him, for what woman would not? Maybe then Ysenda could repair the damage that had been done.
Of course, the whole idea made her sick at heart. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing No?l, especially to her spoiled sister. But for the sake of her brother, whom she’d vowed to protect, and for her clan, to whom she owed allegiance, she’d make the sacrifice.
“Ysenda!” she called softly to her sister, nudging her when she didn’t respond to the unfamiliar name.
Cathalin scowled.
Undaunted, Ysenda touched No?l’s forearm and smiled back at her sister. “I was goin’ to tell Sir No?l about the time we tried to save the pups in the pond.”
Cathalin stared silently back. Finally she shrugged and said, “Go on then.”
Ysenda gave her sister a pointed look. “But ye tell it so much better.”
Cathalin sighed. “What’s to tell? We saw the pups in the pond, and we jumped in to pull them out.”
Ysenda’s face fell. “Aye.” She turned to No?l to explain. “But ‘twas silly, because the mother hound was only tryin’ to teach them to swim.” She grinned. “We didn’t know they could swim, so we dove in to save them. And when Ca-, my sister found out, she was furious, because she got her new gown soakin’ wet.”
Cathalin managed a small smile then. “After ‘twas ruined, I gaveyethat gown.”
“So ye did,” Ysenda said with a chuckle.
She glanced at No?l. His expression was one of polite interest, no more.
Ysenda tried again. “Your hair looks lovely tonight, dear sister.”
That worked. Cathalin touched her locks. “Do ye like it? It took Tilda half the morn to braid.”
“’Tis beautiful. Don’t ye agree, Sir No?l?”
He nodded.
Cathalin, clearly annoyed by his lack of praise, pursed her lips.
Ysenda wrung her hands. What more could she do? What would impress No?l?
“Ye know, Sir No?l, my sister is quite skilled with a needle.”
No?l lifted a brow. “Sewin’ cloth or jabbin’ people?”
With a huff of irritation, Cathalin picked up her skirts and whirled away to stand beside someone else.
Ysenda turned to No?l in accusation. “Why did ye do that?”
“She’s like a spoiled hound. Someone needs to bring her to heel.”
Ysenda thought about his words as the flames flickered high into the night sky.
“Someone like ye,” she decided. “Someone who could take her in hand, teach her patiently, bring out the best in her.” She gulped. “Do ye think ye could be happy with…someone like my sister?”
His mouth tightened as he stared into the fire. “Not nearly as happy as I am with ye.”
Ysenda’s eyes filled. She tried to blame the smoke. But her heart was breaking.
“I… I’ve grown tired. I’m goin’ to go up to bed.”
