The Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) by Hildie McQueen (ereader for android .TXT) 📕

Mariel gave her son an incredulous look. “Why would he go to the village?”

Isobel instantly knew. He’d gone to see Lilia first upon being released. Of course. A man in love who thought he might die would want reassurance from the most important person in his life.

Whirling on her heel, she ran past the great hall and up the stairs. Effective immediately, she would not be sharing a room with him. It was enough to be humiliated in such a way, but to then act as if nothing happened and share a bed with him each night was not in her nature.

“Isobel?” Beatrice walked into the room. “What are ye doing?”

“Do ye not see? I am packing my belongings. Please call Annis. I am moving into the empty bedchamber across the corridor.”

“Are ye sure,” Beatrice asked. “I am sure he has a reasonable explanation.”

Unable to keep her anger in check, she met her sister’s gaze. “What do ye suppose he is doing at the village? Drinking at the pub with old friends?”

“It could be he needs to know about the bairn.”

“I do not care why he went there. What matters is that he wished to go straight to her upon being freed. Not here to me, or to his family home, but directly to the woman who may be carrying his child.”

Annis must have been alerted because she hurried in and without a word began pulling her gowns from the wardrobe and taking them to the bedchamber across the corridor.

“Oh, Isobel. I am so very sorry,” Beatrice said. “I had hoped ye would be in a love match. He seems besotted by ye.”

Her heart ached, but she fought tears. “I expected this would happen. I’d hoped it would not hurt as much as it does. However, I am sure, over the years, it will become easier.”

While they worked, Lady Mariel walked in. “Oh no, darling, ye should not do this. Wait to speak to Darach. There could be a good explanation.”

“Such as?” Isobel lifted a basket filled with her hair accessories and other items to her hip. “After being freed from captivity, is there any explanation for going straight to another woman than love?”

Lady Mariel blew out a breath. “I suppose not. It could be he was worried about her state.”

“Lady Mariel, I appreciate ye standing up for yer son.” Isobel allowed Annis to take the basket and met her mother-in-law’s gaze. “In my place, what would ye do? I cannot bear sharing the same bed with him each night. Not after he leaves hers. How can ye possible ask me to?”

Unable to keep from it, Isobel began to cry allowing Lady Mariel to hold her close. “I am so very sorry for this. I would not ever have expected him to disrespect ye in such a manner.”

Together they went to the other chamber. Isobel could not bear to remain in the one she’d shared with Darach any longer. Her entire body ached, every limb weak and shaky. She realized she had not eaten since the day before and now it felt impossible.

“I wish to lie down for a bit. I do not feel well.” She undressed, dropping her clothes to the floor, not caring who watched and slid between the blankets.

Beatrice climbed on the bed and snuggled next to her. Soon the room was quiet, everyone had gone except her sister, who cried softly next to her.

Voices woke Isobel much later, the room was dark meaning she’d slept for hours. At first, she was confused as to where she was, but then recalling the events of the day, she closed her eyes not wishing to face whatever came next.

It sounded as if Darach was arguing with someone, another male, Duncan perhaps, just outside the door.

Darach was midsentence. “…and my wife will not…”

“Ye cannot demand anything right now,” Duncan said and then grumbled something else in a lower tone, so Isobel could not hear.

The door opened and Isobel closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.

Beatrice sat up. “What are ye doing?”

“I need to speak to Isobel,” Darach said in a quiet voice.

“As ye can see, she is asleep,” her sister whispered.

There was a beat of silence. “Please leave us.”

“No.” Beatrice’s tone left no room for argument.

After a few beats, footsteps retreated, and the door closed.

“Arse,” Beatrice said with a huff.

“Thank ye,” Isobel said softly in case Darach was outside the door. “I do not think I can face him today.”

Last meal was brought to her by Annis who lit a lantern and set up a table with an embroidered cloth. The three of them, Isobel, Beatrice, and Annis ate the food. Everything smelled delicious and yet to Isobel, it tasted bland.

All she wished to do was return to bed. “I am not sure when I will feel up to facing people again,” she told her companions. “I am so humiliated.”

“Everyone will act as if they do not know, I’m sure,” Beatrice said. “They have to, ye are the lady of the house.”

“What are the servants saying Annis?” Isobel met her companion’s anxious gaze. “Tell me the truth.”

Annis closed her eyes for a moment, and Isobel knew what she was about to say would be hurtful. “They are saying that the laird sought Lilia’s bed, preferring her to ye.”

“Oh.” The spoon fell from Isobel’s hand, landing with a thump on the tabletop.

Beatrice took her hand. “It will be fine. As much as I hate to say it, this is a common occurrence and not something that diminishes yer marriage in the eyes of the clan.”

“Of course, it does,” Isobel said. “It may not affect him in any way, after all, men are given so much leave when it comes to infidelity. I, however, will be seen as someone who cannot satisfy her husband. Unable to keep him in my bed.”

Once they finished eating, Isobel asked for both of the women to leave. She brushed the tangles from her hair out and paced the room. Although smaller than the bedchamber she’d