Page 72 of Beguiled By the Highlander
No.
She shoved the dark thoughts into the furthest corner of her mind as tendrils of fear tightened in her chest. Just as there were ways to prevent, there were ways to enhance the chances of conceiving. And she’d try every one of them, if it ensured she could give William the son he hoped for.
But what if the power of the Isle was too strong to overcome?
*
It was stilldark when Isolde found William outside the stables with several of his men, including Hugh, and as she approachedthem an ominous foreboding crawled through her. He swung about, as though he knew she was there, and in the light from his lantern she saw his smile of greeting, but it couldn’t disguise the concern in his eyes.
“What is it?” she said, unheeding of his men.
“Hugh arrived earlier with a message from the earl. ’Tis nothing to worry about.”
She grasped his arm and tugged him away so they couldn’t be overheard. “Tell me the truth,” she whispered. “Ye cannot leave me wondering, William. ’Tis far worse not to know.”
He cradled her face, and his thumb tenderly stroked her cheek. It was a gesture of comfort, and yet a thread of fear tightened deep in her gut.
“The earl’s received word that Torcall MacGregor’s followers are planning to attack. We’re going to head them off at Glen Clach. There’ll be a full contingent here to protect the castle, but I’m taking the men who were on the ship with me. It’s the only way I know ye’ll be safe from whoever attacked me.”
Her stomach pitched, and she threaded her fingers through his where he still cupped her face.Don’t go.The words echoed around her head, but of course she couldn’t say them aloud. Her William was a warrior. He would never turn his back on his duty.
And neither would she. “I’ll be fine,” she told him. “And so will Creagdoun. Yer castle will not fall on my watch, William.”
She’d meant to reassure him. Instead, consternation flashed over his face, and he grasped her arm. “We’ll crush them. They won’t get within half a day’s ride of the castle. But even so, promise me ye won’t put yerself in any danger, Isolde. I mean it.”
She pressed her hand against his heart. Pride in her husband, and fear of what he was about to face entwined; a tangled web that all but consumed her. But she would never let him see her fear. It would serve no purpose but a distraction when he neededto focus on victory. “I won’t put myself in danger. But ye must promise me, too, William. Watch yer back.”
His sudden smile all but stole the breath from her lungs. “Ye’ll not get rid of me this easily, mo chridhe. We’ll return before nightfall.”
“I shall hold ye to that.” She smiled back at him, even when all she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him and never let him go.
He turned to his men. “Gather yer things. We must leave before sunrise.”
His men marched off, all but Hugh, who appeared ill at ease as he stood by his horse. Wiliam took her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles, and she forgot about Hugh. Forgot about everything but how easily she might never see William again, and her façade cracked.
“William,” she said, hating the tremor in her voice but, still holding her hand, he pressed a finger against her lips.
“All the clans are with us,” he whispered. “The rebels are as good as dead already, Isolde. The earl’s spies came through for him, and we know the MacGregors’ plans.”
She nodded and brutally pulled herself together. Now was not the time for such indulgences. “God be with ye.”
His gaze caught hers, and in the light from the lantern his stormy eyes held a mystical golden glow. Then he kissed her, a hard, possessive kiss, one that burned a promise of return, before he joined Hugh, and the rest of his men emerged from the shadows.
As they rode out of the courtyard, Patric came to stand by her side. Together, they watched as twilight swallowed up the warriors, and she drew in a deep breath as the portcullis dropped.
“The men are in position,” Patric said. “Although I doubt the battle will last long, let alone reach Creagdoun. The Campbellsare too powerful, and many of the other clans have sworn fealty to the earl. Any MacGregor who escapes with his life today should count himself fortunate.”
“Aye.” She knew Patric was right. She’d always known of the influence the Campbells held across Argyll and the Isles, too. The odds for victory were as good as they could ever be.
But this was different. It was personal. Because William was a Campbell, and it took only one arrow, or one well-aimed thrust of a sword by the enemy to end a life.
Instinctively, her fingers curled around her precious dagger concealed in her skirts. She wasn’t sure why she still carried it with her, when it was glaringly obvious her skills had deserted her. Yet she couldn’t bear the idea of leaving it in her bedchamber, if for no other reason than it reminded her of Sgur.
Reminded her of how her foremothers had once been an integral part of her.
There was no time to regret that now. It was done, and, if she was honest, would she really rather be on Eigg, without William, than here in Argyll as his wife?
She released a ragged breath as she faced the truth.
