True Love Brides 02 - The Highlander’s Curse Read Online Free Page B

to his wife’s oldest brother, Alexander, Laird of Kinfairlie, that he would treat Annelise with as much care as if she were his own sister. Murdoch knew he would have frowned upon any sister of his having a courtship like that of himself and Isabella. His tone sharpened slightly. “And what does she know of him?”
    “I gather he is handsome and tall. Fair of hair and blue of eye.”
    “As if his appearance is the only detail of import!”
    “Not the only detail, but it is of import.” She smiled at him, mischief making her eyes dance. “Annelise wishes for children, after all.”
    Even though it was clear she was with child, Isabella could look like a young girl bent on making trouble. Murdoch fought to urge to smile at her and endeavored to remain stern. “What of his family?”
    “I do not know.”
    “His name?”
    His wife shrugged. “You are beginning to sound like Alexander.” Isabella spoke quietly, almost as if to ensure her words passed unnoticed, but Murdoch knew his wife would not have made her comment aloud if she had not wanted him to hear.
    He gave her a quelling look.
    She flung out her hands. “He saved her from a wolf! Surely that stands to his credit.”
    “And where is the wolf’s corpse?”
    Isabella rolled her eyes. “In the woods, I suppose. You could hardly expect Annelise to carry it here.”
    “Nay, but I would have liked to have seen proof of his deed. It is easy to be valiant when there is no one to witness as much.”
    “You know naught of the man, but already deem him to be a liar.”
    “Not necessarily.” Rather than voice his suspicion, Murdoch strode to the door of the solar. A squire waiting in the corridor leapt to attention as soon as the door was opened. “Would you please ask Breac and Kerr to go to the woods, near the glade, and look for anything out of the ordinary?” He heard Isabella’s quick intake of breath and knew she had guessed what he’d been thinking.
    “Have you an idea what they might find, sir?”
    “I do, but I would prefer they simply see what is there.”
    “Before the evening meal, sir?”
    Murdoch nodded. “I will ensure an extra helping of venison for them both.”
    “Very good, sir.” The boy bowed and hastened away to do his master’s bidding.
    Isabella had propped her hands on her hips by the time Murdoch closed the door. “Are you suggesting that my sister is lying?”
    Murdoch grimaced. There was no kind way around this. “I am suggesting that she might be trying to escape our efforts to introduce her to eligible men. If she created a suitor we never met, we might leave her in peace.”
    “But she wants to marry!”
    “Then she might try to be more enthused when introduced to an eligible man,” Murdoch complained. “Instead, she has looked beleaguered, as if she would rather be anywhere than in their presence.”
    “Annelise is shy!”
    “It is not easy to bring such suitors to this hall. Seton Manor is comparatively remote and to entice them to our board takes considerable effort. That she does not even lift her gaze from her hands does not help the matter.” Murdoch saw Isabella’s lips set, but made his last suggestion anyway. “Perhaps it would suit her better to become a bride of Christ.”
    “Nay!” Isabella’s eyes flashed. “Annelise has always been shy, and she adores children.” She followed Murdoch across the room and he knew she had more to say. “She simply needs some encouragement, a man who understands her, talks to her, makes an effort.”
    “Kills a wolf?” Murdoch suggested.
    “It is not a bad way to impress a maiden.” Isabella drummed her fingers on her elbow. “That could have been it, you know. She might have been so frightened that her shyness was overwhelmed. They might have spoken to each other.”
    “Well, we shall have to coax more wolves to our woods, then. Perhaps I should have one or two loosed in the hall when next a suitor comes to dine.”
    Isabella narrowed her eyes to survey