Page 26 of Beguiled By the Highlander
“’Tis a form of flattery,” remarked Roisin. “But I’m not convinced he means it.”
“He can mean it or not.” Freyja sounded irked. “’Tis nothing to me.”
She was on her way to meet with her grandmother in the kitchens, to evaluate their winter stocks, but it would be impolite to walk away when a guest was arrowing their way. Even if his target was Freyja, she was the eldest granddaughter and therefore obligated to remain.
Her smile of welcome dropped into a shocked gasp as he drew close, and she caught sight of his livid jaw. “God’s teeth, man, what happened?”
He offered her a grim smile. “I shouldn’t wish to trouble yer ears about it.”
Freyja went up to him and examined his injury. He appeared not to mind when she ran her finger over his jaw. Then her sister stepped back and planted her hands on her hips. “From my observations it seems ye were involved in a fight, Colban.”
“Aye, my lady. A man cannot be condemned for defending himself.”
Isolde narrowed her eyes as suspicion slithered through her. “Ye were attacked?”
“I’ll not cast shade on an unfortunate that Lady Helga has offered charity to.”
Irritation burned through her at his remark. It was obvious to whom he referred. “Are ye telling us Njord attacked ye without provocation?”
Colban’s jaw tightened. He clearly took offense that she hadn’t immediately believed his tale. “’Tis not in my nature to stand by when I see injustice. There’s something about him that doesn’t ring true. He’s out to entrap ye, Lady Isolde. Why else did he wash up on yer beach and claim he’d lost his mind?”
Only when Freyja wrapped her hand around her wrist did she realize she’d taken a step forward. Not that there was any danger of her injuring Colban, since her claymore was stored in the armory.
She drew in a calming breath before she said something to disgrace her foremothers’ legacy of ensuring justice prevailed on the Isle, and even managed a chilly smile.
“We appreciate yer concern, Colban. But only a fool would give himself a head injury and risk drowning in an icy sea for no other reason than to...” she hesitated. What exactly was Colban implying? It certainly bore no resemblance to the intoxicating lightning that sparked between her and Njord whenever they met. Nothing would convince her that he was deceiving them all, and Colban’s veiled denigration of Njord’s honor irked her greatly. “Well, do whatever nefarious deed ye are imagining.Lady Freyja examined him herself and proclaimed it was a miracle he survived.”
“It’s true he would have died on the beach if he hadn’t been found until the morn,” Freyja confirmed, and Colban’s expression darkened further before he swiftly bowed his head.
“I hope ye are right. Lady Freyja, might I entice ye into walking with me before we set sail to Skye?”
“’Tis kind of ye, but I’m on my way to see a patient. Safe travels, Colban.” With that, Freyja inclined her head in farewell and departed.
Since it was expected, Isolde forced the words out. “I’ll speak with Lady Helga about yer accusation. Now, ye must excuse us. If we don’t see ye before ye leave, we wish ye safe passage.”
With that, she continued on her way to the kitchens, while Roisin and Grear made their way to the solar to work on their embroidery. She was still quietly seething when she came upon her grandmother in the buttery, cataloguing the wine.
Her mood didn’t improve when Amma didn’t instantly dismiss Colban’s accusations as nonsense.
“For whatever reason, Colban took an immediate dislike to Njord, and this is his way of trying to turn us against him.” Isolde flashed her grandmother an annoyed glance. “I wouldn’t put it past him to have punched himself in the face to gain our sympathy.”
“That’s most unlikely.”
Aye, it was, but it was surelymorelikely than Njord attacking him for no reason.
“What is it to him who we take into the sanctuary of the castle, anyway?” She knew she sounded waspish but couldn’t help herself. “The MacDonalds of the Western Isles never turn their back on their kin.”
“That’s true.” Her grandmother turned to face her. “I’ve known Colban since he was a babe. I know his character, Isolde.But ye must remember something: the stranger from the sea is likely not a MacDonald, and not our kin. Ye must learn to keep perspective in all matters to be a fair judge of truth.”
Isolde pressed her lips together, but the injustice burned deep. She didn’t need to ask Njord what had happened. She knew he hadn’t attacked Colban. She may not have known her stranger from the sea for long, but she knew enough about him that he possessed honor, and he wouldn’t tarnish that honor by punching Colban for no reason.
It didn’t stop her from confronting Njord when she next saw him at dinner. He’d once again spent the morning with Patric, and when he took his place beside her at the table, he looked delectably windswept, and the scent of the fresh sea wind clung to him. His smile of greeting sent shivers racing to the pit of her stomach, where they collided into streaks of pleasure, and it was all she could do not to squirm on the bench in disgraceful reaction.
It took her far longer than it should have to realize there were no bruises on his face.
As he dug into his stew with clear relish, she buttered a wedge of bannock and waited until the conversation around the table reached a pitch where they wouldn’t be overheard. Then she leaned in his direction and used the bannock as a shield to hide her words from any curious eyes.
“Colban and his men left for Skye this morn.”
