Highlander Medieval 06 - Her Highland Hero Read Online Free Page B

suddenly have her father’s title and his properties.
    Lords Fenton and Erickson agreed. The men began to talk to one another about the unruly Scots, while Lord Neville quickly took the opportunity to offer his arm to Isobel. “A dance, my lady?”
    The men quickly ceased their talk of border issues, realizing the baron had made a play for her when they had forgotten all about her. She could see that, should she have to marry any of them, she would be good for providing bairns, and an heir, but naught more.
    “Excuse me, gentlemen.” She rushed out of the great hall to see her father about the business with marrying Marcus, still wondering where her Highlander was, and hoping Lord Wynfield was not now telling her father that he needed to prepare for the skirmishes at the border.
    “Lady Isobel!” her maid called out, hurrying to catch up to her before Isobel reached the stairs.
    She turned to look at her and saw the concern etched in Mary’s face.
    “Laird Marcus has left, my lady,” Mary said, her words low as if she shouldn’t be speaking them.
    Isobel’s jaw dropped. “What…” She had never considered he would leave this early, and certainly without saying his farewell. He had never done so in the past. At first confused, then furious, suspecting he had been forced to leave because of the way she had showed the assembled visitors and staff that she favored Marcus above all others, she narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
    “‘Tis the way of things,” her maid said vaguely.
    Isobel steeled her back. “Why did he leave? Tell me, Mary.”
    Mary wrung her hands and glanced at the stairs behind Isobel, and quickly turned her gaze back to her. “Come, my lady. Enjoy the dance.”
    Isobel looked over her shoulder to see if someone was standing near the stairs, but there was no one. Yet someone could be listening in the corridor above. Or even hidden from view on the narrow, tightly-curved stairs that ascended to the upper floors.
    She strode past the maid and headed for the door to the inner bailey.
    “My lady, where are you going?” Frantic, Mary rushed after her.
    “Why did he leave?” Isobel asked Mary again, not to be thwarted in learning the truth.
    Mary’s expression tightened, her lips thinning, but she didn’t speak.
    “‘Tis fine with me. I will learn what I can on my own.” Isobel hurried outside.
    “My lady, you canna leave.”
    Having no intention of arguing with her maid, Isobel stalked toward the stables. Just as quickly, two of her father’s knights headed for her, the one, the captain of the guard, Sir Halloran, his blond hair as short as any Norman’s, his eyes a sharp blue. He was frowning at her like he would when he had a disagreeable task to perform. Redheaded Sir Travon, who always had smiles for her—except for tonight—stalked beside him. His green eyes were narrowed as he considered her. She knew the two men wouldn’t allow her to go anywhere. Even with an escort.
    “The dance is inside, my lady,” Sir Halloran said. “You should be enjoying the celebration.”
    “Thank you kindly, Sir Halloran. I am getting a breath of fresh air, if it pleases you.” She didn’t care whether it pleased him or not.
    The captain of the guard took hold of her arm, and she looked up at him, shocked and angered. No one in her father’s employ had ever manhandled her. “Unhand me at once!”
    “‘Tis for your own good, my lady.” The ogre hauled her back to the keep as Mary hurried to keep up with them.
    Isobel would have the men fired. The both of them! She tried to jerk her arm free, but she couldn’t get loose no matter how hard she tried.
    Once inside, Sir Halloran released her and blocked the door. It seemed as though everyone had noticed her departure, and every eye was on her.
    She smiled sweetly and headed for the stairs. Mary followed her up them as if she were her shadow.
    When she reached her father’s solar, Isobel noted the door was open and he was inside. And alone, which