The Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) ๐
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- Author: Hildie McQueen
Read book online ยซThe Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) ๐ยป. Author - Hildie McQueen
The sun was low on the horizon casting long shadows across the courtyard. Indeed, she had been gone longer than propriety allowed. Considering it was summer and the sun set much later than other seasons, things were definitely going to get complicated unless she came up with a good reason for her lateness.โ
She limped forward with extra emphasis on her right side and scrunched her face, as if in pain.
โI believe the laird hurried inside to get help. I tripped and hurt my ankle, so we made slow progress forward.โ
โOh no!โ Both her sister and her mother rushed to her when Isobel moaned.
โIt hurts,โ she said in a high voice. โIt really hurts.โ
With her sister on one side and her mother on the other, they helped her walk into the house. Just as they hobbled inside, Lady Ross and Darach appeared.
Darach gave her a curious look and Lady Ross hurried forward. โOh, no, dear, what happened?โ
โI tripped,โ Isobel replied, and moaned dramatically when taking a step. โI hope to not have broken my ankle.โ
โWhat exactly happened?โ her mother asked with an accusatory look at Darach.
โTell them,โ Isobel said and noting that no one looked her way, smirked. โExplain why we were so late returning.โ
With a droll look in her direction, he quickly changed his expression to one of concern. โI stepped up a slight ridge and just as I turned to assist Miss Isobel, she lost her footing and tumbled down like a rag doll.โ
His mother studied his backside. โDid ye fall as well?โ She gave him a pointed look.
โI lost my balance when helping her up, aye,โ he replied and glared in Isobelโs direction.
โThat is true. It seems the laird is a bit clumsy.โ
When their mothers exchanged a secretive look, Isobelโs stomach tumbled. They did not believe them. Perhaps her acting had not been convincing enough.
โUnfortunately,โ Lady Ross said. โI caught a maid accusing the laird of more than just simply falling. In her words, Isobel was atop Darach while they spoke.โ
Isobel wanted to slap the damn maid. โWe were merely discussing how I should get up without harming my ankle further.โ She crossed her arms in annoyance just as the mouthy maid hurried past and ran outside. It took all her willpower not to run after her and pull every hair out of the wenchโs head.
โRumors will not take yer injury into account, unfortunately,โ her mother said. She then turned to Darach, whoโd taken several steps backward, obviously hoping to slip away.
โYe will marry my daughter.โ
โWhich one?โ he asked, looking between Isobel and Beatrice.
โI will not marry him,โ Isobel retorted. โYe see how he makes light at a time like this. He has no regard for either of us or our family.โ
Her mother ignored her outburst and with surprising outrage walked up to Darach and lifted to her toes until almost nose-to-nose with the laird. โI remind ye Laird that I changed yer nappies. I know the kind of man ye have grown to be. A strong and morally just man. Therefore, to keep Isobel from future scandal, I demand ye marry her.โ
Looking past her mother to her, he regarded her for a long moment with a blank expression. โVery well. Make the arrangements. But it must be after the festival.โ
โThat is a good decision,โ Lady Ross said with a smile and patted his cheek. โI am delighted.โ
โWe should call on the vicar first thing.โ Her mother smiled at Lady Ross adding, โThere are more things to shop for in the village now.โ
Lady Ross nodded. โLet us inventory the linens, surrounding lairds and their families will be invited for the wedding of course.โ
โOf course.โ
The two women gave her a wide smile and hurried away.
โIsobel? How do ye feel?โ Beatrice asked tentatively. โYe are standing on yer hurt ankle.โ
Realizing sheโd stood steady, Isobel gave up the pretense. โDid ye see that? No one asked my opinion. Whether or not I wish to marry thatโฆ thatโฆ Ugh!โ She stomped her right foot and Beatrice blanched.
โI didnโt hurt my ankle,โ Isobel told her sister as they headed across the great hall. โThis is not what was supposed to happen.โ
โYe must enjoy his company to have been gone so long,โ Beatrice, always sweet, pointed out. โThat is something.โ
โYe do not understand,โ Isobel said. โAye, he may be a good one for conversation and such, but he is a rake through and through. Has no care who knows of his dalliances either.โ
Beatriceโs eyes widened. โHe told ye that?โ
โNo,โ Isobel replied. โI personally saw him pat that maidโs bottom, and she was upset and demanding upon rushing up on us just moments ago.โ
โA rogue without morals. Ye cannot marry him,โ Beatrice stated firmly. โWe must come up with a way for ye to not have to.โ
There was a foolproof way, but first, she needed to speak to her mother privately. Why did her mother act as if the reason sheโd not been offered as a bride in the first place would not be a problem? After all, it was customary for there to be a bedding ceremony, or at least the presentation of the bloodied sheets after a lairdโs marriage.
Thankfully, many families no longer demanded to be present for the bedding. However, presentation of the sheets was still a popular custom.
No longer a virgin, she would have to find a way to fake the bleeding, however, there was no way to fake lacking a maidenhead.
There were two alternatives as she saw it. Tell Darach the truth and once he rejected her, theyโd figure out how to stop the marriage. Or her mother could tell Lady Ross and then theyโd cancel the marriage. Either way, theyโd have to come up with a way for Darachโs concubine to keep her mouth shut.
โWhat are ye plotting?โ Beatrice asked.
โI will need ye to help me tonight. I will speak to Darach
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