The Lion (Clan Ross of the Hebrides Book 1) - Hildie McQueen (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

remained. The woman who’d she’d seen earlier stood out, dressed in blue that day. Isobel noted that she looked angry, with narrowed eyes and a pinched expression.

The woman must have felt her watching, because she turned toward the stands, scanning the faces until looking at her. Isobel did not look away, but instead kept her gaze on the woman whose eyes widened slightly before she turned her attention back to the field.

Interesting. Of course, she was aware that once Isobel became the laird’s wife, it would be in her power to send her away. It wasn’t and would never be in Isobel’s power, however, to keep Darach from seeking her out.

Dressed in full regalia, Darach was every bit the laird. He motioned to the competitors and the people clapped and called out their favorite’s name.

After a hard elbow jab from her mother, Isobel clapped as well. One of the archers was Stuart Ross. The man every bit a Ross, with dark hair and hazel eyes, stood erect, his stance more of a warrior than an archer.

Most archers she’d seen were lithe and nimble. She had no idea of Stuart’s quickness, but he was large and muscular. He kept her attention during the competition, it became obvious that Stuart and Ewan were competing against each other.

Where Stuart was powerful, Ewan seemed to have the edge when it came to agility and trickery. In one event, they had to run to a hay bale, drop to one knee, and shoot. Ewan edged Stuart out easily.

The brothers were so busy in their rivalry, they didn’t take note of another archer, one of the keep’s guards, closing in on their targets.

Gideon, who sat behind Isobel leaned forward and whispered to her and Beatrice. “Bram will beat them because they are too self-involved. Funny in this situation, but not in battle.”

It occurred to Isobel that it was the truth in every aspect of life. One could be so self-involved that they missed out on things occurring around them.

She looked to her mother, who was chatting with Lady Ross. Then she slowly scanned the surroundings. Most people were enjoying the day. Families ate while watching the competition, a group of lasses were gathered in one corner preparing to dance. In the distance, the keep guards kept vigil to ensure everyone was safe.

Men on horseback patrolled the forest edge, while others rode along the roads. There was indeed a lot more going on when one took notice.

The woman Lilia wasn’t under the tent anymore. Isobel watched as Lilia looked over her shoulder as she made her way past the stands. She headed in the direction of where the competitors prepared and the armament was kept.

At not seeing Darach, Isobel decided to investigate. If they were so blatant to meet in broad daylight, she would be witness to it.

“I will return shortly,” she said to her mother and Beatrice, who was talking with Ella.

Hurrying down the steps, Isobel rounded the stands and then slowed. At first, she didn’t see either Darach or the woman. Then she caught sight of the edge of a blue dress.

“She will have me removed. Ye must do something,” the woman said to someone who was out of sight. “I will not lose everything because of ye.”

“It will be fine. Just remain out of her way. The lass will have other things on her mind than ye.” Whoever it was, was not Darach. The voice was familiar, but Isobel could not make it out.

“What are ye going to do?” Lilia asked, her voice shaky. “Do not harm him.”

Someone touched Isobel’s arm and she jumped. It was Ewan. “My brother is looking for ye,”

She allowed Ewan to guide her back to the front. When she looked over her shoulder, the couple had not emerged from their hiding place.

When approaching Darach, if he did not care for her attire, it wasn’t evident. He extended an arm to her and she approached and slipped her hand into the crook.

“Uncle Angus, this is my betrothed, Isobel Macdonald.” He motioned to an older man with kind eyes. “Her mother and sister are up in the stands. Ye can meet them after.”

Angus Ross bowed his head. “Miss Macdonald, I see my nephew did not exaggerate yer beauty.”

“Thank ye,” Isobel returned the nod. “Will ye be staying for the day?”

The older man nodded. “Aye, for a sennight actually. My wife and I came for the wedding.”

Isobel was confused. As far as she knew her wedding date had not been set. She gave Darach a questioning look, but not wishing to bring it up in front of his uncle, didn’t ask anything.

“I look forward to meeting yer wife.”

She looked to Darach. “Would ye walk me back to the stands please?”

“As soon as we hand out the prize to the winner.”

Three men from the archery competitions stood side by side in front of the stands. Darach took her elbow and walked with her to where the men stood.

Gideon had been right, Ewan and Stuart won second and third place. Once the prizes were given out, Isobel turned to Darach. “A word.”

“Now?”

“Aye, now.”

She walked in front of the stands and waved up to her mother and sister with as much of a smile as she could muster. Then once they were out of earshot, she turned to him again.

“I was not informed our wedding date was set.”

“My trip to see yer father is only a formality and will take two days. Once I return, we will marry immediately. There is no need to prolong it. Yer mother insisted to mine that we marry before she and yer sister return to North Uist.”

A sense of betrayal enveloped her. Why had her mother not said any of this to her? It was to be her wedding after all.

“What about her?” Isobel blurted, looking toward the tent where Lilia was once again. “Will she continue to warm yer bed?”

Darach’s face hardened. “No. And she has not since ye arrived.”

The lie made her want to throw up. Isobel