Highlander Untamed Read online

  “I hope the birthing went well?” Isabel inquired politely.

  “Yes, thank you, but I’m sorry to have missed your arrival.”

  Isabel made a dismissive gesture with her free hand. “A babe is much more important. What did she have?”

  Margaret smiled. “A girl.”

  “I hope to meet her one day,” she remarked. “And Christina as well. How many sisters and brothers do you have?”

  “Only one other. My youngest sister Flora. But she resides with her mother.” Margaret gave her a hesitant look. “Are you finding Dunvegan to your liking? I know you have just come from court,” she continued with a far-off look in her eye. “I doubt I’ll ever have the chance to travel to Edinburgh.”

  “Whyever not? I would be happy to escort you to court and make the proper introductions. Queen Anne would be most happy to meet you, I’m sure. She is wonderful; I know you would like her. And of course I shall tell you all about my time at court whenever you wish. But I know you are busy with your duties, so you must tell me when it’s convenient.”

  Margaret squirmed a bit in her seat, as if the fact that she was still chatelaine made her uncomfortable. “I’ve been very busy of late, but I’ll certainly find the time to hear about your stay at court. It sounds so exciting. But I could never show myself there…with the way I look and all.”

  Isabel heard the deep sorrow and shame in Margaret’s softly lilting voice. She took hold of Margaret’s tiny other hand and said with complete sincerity, “You are lovely, Margaret. If you want to go to court, you should. Don’t let the unkindness of others dissuade you from living your life with purpose. There are many cruel people at court, but I think you’ll find there are many more who are good and compassionate.”

  “You are kind, Isabel, but I have not the strength to bear the inevitable gossip.”

  There was such sadness in her that Isabel could not resist trying to find some way to help. Her uncle was to blame for the shame that must have turned Margaret into this wounded fey creature. She sensed a kindred spirit in the young woman and thought perhaps she could right a wrong while she was here. It was the least she could do, since she would be making an enemy of Margaret’s brother.

  Her mind was made up. She wanted to help Margaret find the strength that Isabel could sense was buried within her. Isabel did not wish to examine her own motives. If she did, she would probably recognize the guilt she assumed for the actions of her uncle. And for her relationship with him.

  “The women who are inclined to gossip will always find something to gossip about. I don’t know if they even realize how hurtful it can be, especially to someone unfamiliar with life at court. When I first arrived at court, they laughed at my rough Highland manners. I seemed to always say the wrong thing, as I was used to speaking my mind when at home with only a father and three brothers. Not the most appropriate behavior for a woman, I assure you. Then the next new person arrived and they forgot about me.”

  Margaret looked at her with a mixture of admiration and awe.

  Isabel chuckled. “I don’t mean to suggest that I was immune to the gossip. I admit I was hurt initially, but that’s because I didn’t anticipate that I would be so different from the other ladies at court. I felt rejected, but I soon realized they weren’t rejecting me personally but merely finding something interesting to talk about. But you’ll know what to expect and will not be as unprepared as I was.”

  “I don’t know. You make it sound so simple, yet I am not at all brave, Isabel.”

  Neither am I, Isabel thought. Instead she said, “Don’t worry. If you want to go to court, we will find a way. I’m sure that with the two of us working together, we will be able to devise a plan of attack.”

  Isabel’s confidence must have been contagious because Margaret smiled.

  From his seat on her right, Rory observed the conversation between Isabel and Margaret. He was concerned about Margaret’s reaction to Isabel. His first instinct was to protect his sister from the pain of her memories that seeing a MacDonald was sure to evoke, but he knew they would have to meet eventually so he forced himself not to interfere.

  Isabel’s kindness was immediately apparent. He noticed the way she looked Margaret directly in the eye and unconsciously touched her hand, not shying away as most did from Margaret’s injury. Not many had offered their friendship since Margaret’s return; his sister’s disfigurement made people nervous and uncomfortable. It infuriated him, but he could not force people to treat her as before. Fear and superstition were powerful forces. He felt the tightness in his shoulders dissipate, not realizing how tense he’d been while observing the two women.

  Rory couldn’t hear their discussion, but he was amazed after only a few minutes to see a carefree smile transform Margaret’s face. He was flabbergasted. Margaret hadn’t smiled like that in two years. By all appearances, they seemed to be fast friends. It warmed him to see his sister relaxed and enjoying herself; it had been far too long.

  “Did you speak with Margaret about your ideas for our chamber, Isabel?” he asked, more curious than he wanted to admit about what they were discussing.

  “Not yet. Margaret and I were discussing court.”

  “The latest fashion?” he asked, a sardonic reference to her dress.

  Isabel blushed, realized he was teasing her, then shook her head and laughed. “No, only that I think Margaret would enjoy it.”

  Rory stiffened. The thought of his shattered sister set free among the vicious ladies of court made his protective instincts flare. What could Isabel be thinking to encourage Margaret’s hopes like that? His sister was incredibly fragile as it was; court would destroy her. Not wanting to hurt his sister’s feelings, however, he quickly turned the subject. “Aye, but my sister is needed at Dunvegan. I could not spare her.” He smiled encouragingly to Margaret. “Wasn’t there something you wanted to ask Margaret about my solar?”

  Isabel gave him a small questioning frown, then turned to Margaret. “I just wanted to make a few wee changes to our room,” she corrected, “but I wanted to ask your permission before I do so. We can discuss it another time if you wish.”

  Margaret looked to Rory for approval, and he nodded. “What did you have in mind?” she asked.

  “Just a few things to make the room more comfortable, perhaps a few soft pillows, some bed hangings”—Isabel shrugged—“Things like that.”

  Margaret was immediately ensnared. Rory was amazed how the topic of decoration could inspire such fervor in the female mind. “Rory’s room is entirely too austere,” she agreed. “I’ve been trying to change things for years. But he’ll hear nothing of it.”

  Rory crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s the way I like it. Plain and simple.”

  Both women made faces. Margaret met his gaze. “Yes, well, you are handfasted now. You will have to adjust.”

  Rory couldn’t believe it. His timid little sister had just stood up to him. It was…wonderful.

  Margaret continued, “What colors were you thinking?”

  “Hmm. Maybe soft roses and lavenders with floral fabric, laces, and needlepoint, what do you think?”

  God’s wounds, it sounded like Margaret’s frilly boudoir.

  Both women took one look at his expression and burst into laughter.

  Rory started to frown until he caught the mischievous twinkle in Isabel’s eye. Surprisingly, he didn’t mind their teasing at all. Some of Margaret’s spirit that had been eviscerated from two years ago was returning after only minutes in Isabel’s company.

  Her spirited playfulness was infectious, and he found himself smiling.

  Rory thought of the sweet but timid Campbell lass who would be his bride and couldn’t help comparing her with another. Would she embrace his sister and bring a smile to her face?

  Watching Rory with Margaret offered Isabel a side of him that she had never seen. That Rory cared deeply for his sister was obvious. It impressed her that this hard, formidable warrior could also be gentle an