Page 91 of The Hawk Laird
“Och, I am working on that.” Janet waved a hand in dismissal.
“Isobel, what is this?” John Seton asked. “I can see you are fond of the outlaw, but—”
“I am very fond of the outlaw,” she said, her gaze on James.
“Even if he is a fool?” James murmured, watching her steadily.
“Aye,” she said.
“You, Lindsay! If you care about my daughter, would you have her live an outlaw’s life? She has a precious gift. She deserves a fine life. I did my best to see to it.”
“I do love her,” James said. “And she does deserve a good life.”
Isobel stood, silent, looking from one to the other. Janet sat equally silent beside James now.
“Isobel, I was wrong to expect you to marry Sir Ralph,” John Seton said. “He has shown himself to be treacherous. We can dissolve that agreement. But I do not want you to yoke yourself to an outlaw.”
James frowned, only watching Isobel. She looked from one man to the other, twisting her fingers together. She said nothing.
“Her gift is hers to use as she wishes,” James said. “Not as others deem proper.”
John Seton sent him a glare, then looked at his daughter. “You need a proper husband. Rumor says this one betrayed William Wallace. I had great respect for Wallace and all he did.”
“James Lindsay did not betray him, Papa. He is an honorable man.”
“But not a husband for the prophetess of Aberlady,” Seton said.
“Have you forgotten?” Janet asked. “Jamie is not just an outlaw. He is the rightful lord of Wildshaw, and by rights it should come back to him.”
“Interesting,” Seton said.
“What do you want, Isobel?” James wondered what thoughts tumbled through her troubled eyes. That was all that mattered to him just then.
“Aye, tell us what you want,” her father barked.
She fisted her hands at her sides. “I want both of you to be free,” she said fiercely. “I would give anything to see that. I would give my own life to see that.” Her chest heaved, her eyes burned blue. “I thought I needed a sanctuary for my visions to come to me. But now I know they will come no matter where I am. And I know I am safe—and happy—with this man. I have learned that I need freedom even more than a safe place.” She flattened her hand on her upper chest. “I want to decide for myself what is best for me—and my gift.”
“What a bonny speech, my dear,” a man said. “I think we can find a solution to suit you.”
An icy chillplunged through Isobel as she whirled to see Ralph Leslie on the other side of the latticed door. He inserted a hefty iron key in the lock and swung the door open. Two guards stood behind him.
“In fact,” he said, stepping inside, “your conversation was very enlightening.” He reached for Isobel and took her arm. “But it is not too late for you, my dear.”
“Get your hands off me,” she said through her teeth. She heard the chink of chains as James shifted, helpless to rise to her aid.
Leslie inclined his head. “I would never mistreat the prophetess. Now, bid your father farewell. Your lover too,” headded in a growl. He looked at James. “Did you touch her, when she was in your keeping?”
James gave him a flat and silent stare.
“Lady Isobel, return to your tower chamber. Janet, take her there,” he barked. The girl stood beside Jamie and made no move to leave.
Snatching her arm out of his grip, Isobel backed away. Beside her, James rose slowly to his feet, sliding his back against the wall. His gaze was stony, made more fearsome by the bruises. He clenched his fists beneath the iron bands. Even weakened, he radiated anger and stubbornness. She took a step closer to him.
“Isobel,” Leslie said. “Get away from him. Go you to your chamber.”
Anger surged through her and she fisted her trembling hands. “You played us false,” she said. “You kept Janet dishonorably. You and Father Hugh betrayed me. And you were holding my father all this time. I trusted you. My father trusted you!”
He shrugged. “I accepted the command of this castle from King Edward in return for my fealty. If I am ordered to imprison rebels, that is what I must do. You, Lindsay—” He turned toward James. “You escaped before, but you will not do so this time.”
