Page 87 of The Hawk Laird
“If you put him in your dungeon,” Janet said, striding after with them, “I will never go to your bed again.”
Isobel gaped at Janet, stunned.
“Hush!” Leslie stopped and patted Janet’s shoulder, keeping hold of Isobel. “Easy, lass.” His voice, Isobel noticed, gentled. “Lady Isobel is my betrothed. I will explain it all tonight.”
“Betrothed? You never said—you will not see me in your chamber tonight or ever, sir!”
He leaned toward her. “Will I not?” he snarled. Janet lowered her eyes and looked away, surprising Isobel further. What power did he have over that bold girl? “Now take the lady to the tower chamber. Your eyes go the color of honey when you are angry. I like that. Go on, and come to me later.”
Still holding Janet’s arm and Isobel’s too, he turned. “Lady Isobel, you and I will talk as well. Go on. My falconer will take the goshawk to the mews.”
“The gos stays with me,” Isobel said. “Have a perch and fresh food brought up to the room.”
He tipped his head. “Very well. Janet, you know where to take her. And do not go to the dungeon.” He let go of both girls, spun on his heel, and stalked away.
Isobel looked at the tall girl beside her. “Janet, I will not wed him, no matter what he says.”
Janet’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Come with me,” she said stiffly, and went toward the keep.
For a moment, Isobel glanced back to see two guards half-carrying James slung between them. They disappeared into a doorway in the base of a corner tower in the curtain wall; likely steps inside there would lead down to a dungeon area below ground.
Fighting her own tears, she followed Janet up the steps to the door of the keep.
Janet stood bythe door of the small chamber, arms crossed like a determined guard, as Isobel crossed the creaking floor planks to peer out the single narrow window in the stone wall. The room held only a bed, draped in dusty red cloth, a leather stool, a brazier, a small cupboard, and a tall wooden perch in a corner. She set the hooded goshawk there, drew off the falconer’s glove, and turned. “I will go, then,” Janet murmured and set her hand on the door latch.
“Wait, please!” Isobel said. “I know you are unhappy with me. You did not know about me. But I have heard much about you.”
“What do you know of me?” Janet scowled. “I have heard of the prophetess of Aberlady. Many know that name. Sir Ralph said that he knows you, that you prophesy for him. But he never said he had promised to marry you.”
“My father arranged it, but I never wanted it. I love another,” she replied soflty.
Janet shut the door and moved toward her. “Does Sir Ralph know that?”
“Not yet. But you know the man I care for. James Lindsay—of Wildshaw.”
Janet set a hand to her chest. “Jamie! But how—when? My cousin only mentioned your predications. He was not happy about them,” she added.
“I know that now. I met him—recently. Janet, do you know why I am here today?”
“Sir Ralph said he rescued you.”
“Hardly. He ordered his men to abduct me from a meeting with a priest.” Though Janet looked confused, Isobel rushed on. “James Lindsay has been desperate to get you back. He—took me away from danger and Aberlady, and planned to barter me for you. But Sir Ralph deceived him, and all of us.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sit down,” Isobel said firmly. She sat on the edge of the bed, while Janet took the stool. Quickly and simply, she explained to the girl how she met Lindsay in the besieged castle, and went with him into the forest. She told her about the hawk, and mentioned Alice and Quentin and the others.
“He took you to the crag? He would not take just anyone there. He is very protective of that hideaway.” Janet shook her head. “I am bewildered. Why would he barter you for me?”
“Your safety was all to him. He did not have enough men to bring force against this castle, so he meant to use me as a ransom payment. But—we spent time together and we—we came to care for each other. I wonder, now,” she went on, “if James thought you were in danger when you were here by some sort of agreement with Sir Ralph,” she said tactfully.
A pink blush filled Janet’s freckled face. “I am a prisoner here,” she confirmed. “But I bought myself some privilege at the price Sir Ralph—suggested.”
“Oh, Janet,” she murmured softly.
The girl shrugged. “When he first brought me here, I was angry and frightened. Jamie had escaped—he tried to take me with him, but the guards had me, and I screamed for him to flee. I knew he would come back for me. I knew I need only wait. But—” She sighed. “Leslie gave me a choice between a horrid wee dungeon cell or the room beside his bedchamber. I spat in his face and took the dungeon.”
Isobel nodded, waiting.
