Highlander Untamed Read online

  There were so many times Isabel wanted to declare her love. But the knowledge that her words would only cause him discomfort, and perhaps even guilt, held her back. She wanted honesty between them more than she wanted anything else, but until she secured an alternative to the alliance with Argyll, she dared not risk it. Nor could she risk upsetting the delicate balance they’d fought so hard to achieve.

  Time slipped away too quickly. Especially the nights. Her cheeks reddened. And sometimes the days, she thought, recalling the fragrant, downy meadow of heather. A few weeks into March, Rory had finally relented and allowed her to spend a day outside the castle walls. Little did she know that behind his acquiescence lay an ulterior motive. Making love outside had been an entirely new experience for her. She smiled. Rory had kept his word to teach her much, and Isabel had proved an apt, and attentive, pupil. So much had changed since that wild, passion-filled night before Christmas. Gone was the nervous virgin, replaced by a confident, sensual woman. A confident, sexually adventuresome woman.

  When she wasn’t occupied tumbling through meadows of heather, Isabel kept herself busy with the accounts and organizing the festivities for the Highland gathering and, much to her delight, a wedding. Since Margaret had pointed it out to her those many months ago, Isabel had noticed Robert’s blatant interest in Bessie. Nevertheless, she was surprised when Bessie came to her with the news of her proposal. She was overjoyed for her dear nurse, but Isabel would miss her terribly if Rory repudiated the handfast.

  She was painfully aware that only three months remained in their handfast period. With the Highland gathering fast approaching, Isabel would be forced to see her family and report her progress. She hoped to broach the subject to her father about shifting alliances.

  But today, Isabel’s mind was turned to other matters. After much anxious preparation, the day of Bessie’s wedding had finally arrived. Following the small ceremony, long tables and benches had been set up in the courtyard for the celebration to take advantage of the favorable weather. Isabel knew she wasn’t the only one tired of being cooped up in the castle.

  Standing in the crowded courtyard, she leisurely swept her eyes over the scenic vistas surrounding her. She inhaled the fresh breath of spring that was in evidence all around. The lemon yellow sun hung all alone in its azure frame, its extreme brightness seeming to defy heavenly competition. The sea rolled and glistened, its turquoise waters unusually clear and vivid. Behind her, the landscape seemed to turn more colorful by the moment, the forests flourishing green, the horsetail standing proud on the heathered hillsides, the purple thrift and yellow iris blanketing the coastal cliffs. A lazy breeze tickled the rustling leaves and gently cleared away the vestiges of winter dankness.

  Spring had certainly arrived.

  Lost in thought, Isabel didn’t notice when Margaret moved to stand beside her. “’Tis a beautiful day for a wedding,” she said.

  She grinned at Margaret. “It’s absolutely perfect.” Isabel couldn’t have asked for a more fitting stage for this special occasion. She and Margaret had worked tirelessly in preparation, with very little time. She shook her head with bemused chagrin, only two weeks to plan a wedding as important as this. Bessie had complained that she was far too old to wait any longer; she didn’t want to give Robert time to change his mind.

  Isabel’s gaze fell on her beloved nurse. Her heart swelled with pride as she watched the beaming bride and groom greet their guests. “I’ll miss her.” Isabel didn’t realize she’d spoken her thoughts aloud.

  She felt Margaret’s sympathy as surely as if she’d put her arms around her. Margaret knew Isabel had not told Bessie of Rory’s plan to repudiate the handfast. Only those closest to Rory knew of his intentions: Alex, Margaret, and Rory’s guardsmen. Fortunately, Bessie’s curiosity had waned after Rory had made Isabel a bride in truth.

  “Bessie will always belong to you. She loves you as if you were her own child.”

  “For so many years, she was all I had.”

  “I know.”

  Margaret didn’t need to say more. Isabel knew she understood. Margaret was the best friend Isabel had ever had; she knew her almost as well as Isabel knew herself.

  Almost. There was one thing they never spoke of directly: Rory’s plan to send her back and repudiate the handfast. It was a subject too painful for them both.

  “Enough of these maudlin thoughts. This is a day for celebration. By the way, where is your Viking?” She expected that Margaret would also have some happy news soon. The Viking’s interest in her was as plain as the perpetual scowl on his face. And Isabel’s secret plan for Margaret was about to be divulged.

  It was Margaret’s turn to blush. “He’s not my Viking,” she said primly.

  Isabel raised an eyebrow. “He’s not?”

  “Well, at least not in so many words.”

  “I suspect that will change soon.”

  Margaret was saved from replying by the arrival of her brother.

  Rory made a sweeping motion with his hand. “Is everything as you wished, Isabel? I see even the weather has followed your directives.”

  “Oh, Rory, it’s perfect. Thank you so much for making this such a special day for Bessie. It has meant so much to her, and to me.”

  Rory grinned broadly. “I’m glad you are well pleased. Between planning a wedding and planning for the gathering, you have not had much time to rest.”

  He was so irresistibly handsome and charming, the thought flashed through her mind for perhaps only the hundredth time. His hair glimmered more golden than brown in the bright sunlight. So tall and muscular, he looked like a bronzed god. That this man belonged to her was overwhelming. She loved him beyond measure.

  Still, she frowned. “That reminds me, I’d almost forgotten something I meant to do today for the gathering. The clans will start to arrive in a few days, and I have not yet checked to make sure we have enough space to stable all the horses in the village.”

  Rory interrupted her. “Not today, Isabel. Today you will enjoy this wedding that you and Margaret have worked so hard on. It’s almost time for the dancing to begin, and I’ll not let you go.” To demonstrate, he twirled her around in the air as if she weighed no more than a bairn.

  “Put me down right now, Rory MacLeod!” She laughed, banging on his arms for release. “I have work to do. I will make you regret this high-handedness.”

  Watching him now, so playful, Isabel was struck by just how much he’d changed in the past few months. He was lighter, happier. She wanted desperately to believe that she was the cause of the change.

  “Promise?” He smiled wickedly.

  “I promise,” she whispered breathlessly. Locked in the blue twinkling of his eyes, she felt her heart flutter at the sensuous promise lacing his words.

  “Leave be, you two.” Margaret giggled. “Please try to refrain from discussing your private bedroom exploits before my innocent, burning ears.”

  Rory dropped his head and pressed a light kiss on Isabel’s parted lips before releasing her. “Oh, very well, Margaret. I never knew you were such a tight-laced prude. I’ll have to warn Colin to temper any illicit advances he has planned.”

  “I’m sure I don’t know to what you are referring, brother,” Margaret said primly, hands on her hips.

  “Don’t you? Hmm. We’ll see.”

  Isabel still loved to stand witness to their lighthearted sibling teasing.

  “Do you know something, Rory? What are you not telling me?” Margaret narrowed her eye threateningly at her much larger brother, looking as though she might attack.

  “Patience, Margaret. You always were a demanding little brat.”

  “How dare you, Rory MacLeod! Brat, was I? You’ll regret those words.” She pounced on him, beating his arms with her tiny fists where Isabel had left off.

  “Margaret, you should not punch the chief. It’s not seemly,” Colin interrupted.

  Speak of the devil, Isabel thought. Another booming, proud voice of authority�€