Page 64 of When a Highlander Loses His Heart
“It’s Lena,” Iain said with a sigh. “I told her of the king’s demand that she be returned to Findlay and she started raging. It’s worse than I feared.”
Tension rippled through Graham. “Should we tell her the truth?”
Iain shook his head. “Nay. It’s too much of a risk that she would give away our plot, and then she could verra well end up back with Findlay instead of him getting what he richly deserves.”
“Where is Lena?” Lachlan asked.
“I left her with Marion and Bridgette. They were trying to calm her, but it did nae appear to be working.”
“Aye,” Graham agreed. “She has worsened almost daily since returning home to Dunvegan.”
Iain gave him a long, assessing look, then opened his mouth to speak, shut it, and with a sigh, opened it again. He blew out a breath of frustration. “I have something to propose.”
Graham frowned at his brother. It was unlike Iain not to speak his mind. “So propose it,” he said.
“I believe part of Lena’s problem is us.”
“What say ye?” Graham demanded.
“How is it us?” Lachlan added.
“Each of us, nay—all the clan—harbor tremendous guilt that she was ever taken from us, that we believed her dead, and therefore, did nae search for her. We have all treated her as a fragile shell that may break because we kinnae bear to be harsh when we ken what she has suffered.”
“Aye,” Lachlan agreed. “I kinnae bear it, either, nor can Bridgette.”
Graham could not, as well, but Iain knew this. He stared hard at his brother, an uneasy feeling gripping him. “What do ye wish to propose?”
“I think Isobel might be able to help Lena,” Iain said.
“Nay,” Graham growled. His instinct to protect Isobel burning hot.
“Before ye refuse, hear me out. Ye owe that to Lena.”
Graham clenched his teeth and nodded.
Iain sighed. “We have all tried gentleness. Ye even kept Isobel locked away to give Lena time to adjust to Isobel’s presence here, but perchance what Lena needs is someone nae to treat her gently. Perchance Lena needs someone to make her face what was done to her, what she lost, and what she has to still overcome.”
Graham could see the wisdom in what Iain was saying, but he could not risk Isobel’s safety. “I’ll nae purposely put Isobel in harm’s way.”
“I believe yer wife is stronger than ye give her credit for,” Iain said.
“Ye dunnae even trust my wife!” Graham snapped.
“It’s true, I have nae, but Marion has made me see I have judged unfairly.”
Iain’s admission that Marion held such power over him surprised Graham. “Did Marion propose this?”
“Aye. She believes that Isobel may be the only person who can reach Lena as she’s the only one who truly kens what it’s like to be separated from yer family.”
“We could have guards near when they are together,” Lachlan suggested.
Graham rounded on his brother. “Ye mean to get Isobel’s eyes gouged out by our sister.”
“Nay,” Lachlan replied. “I wish to help Lena just as I ken ye do.”
“Brother,” Iain said, clasping Graham on the shoulder, “if it seems Isobel kinnae handle Lena, we will interfere. I vow it.”
Graham jerked his sword out of the ground. “I must speak to Isobel and see how she feels.”
