Page 49 of When a Highlander Loses His Heart
Graham nodded. He understood his brothers’ feelings, as he’d had them himself.
Iain sighed. “I will judge her for herself, but I kinnae say truthfully that I’m nae wary of her. I’m even wary of Marsaili, and she came willingly to us as half-MacLeod.”
“I ken it well,” Graham replied, wondering once more what he had just set in motion with this marriage.
Chapter Thirteen
Somberness hung in the room as Marion and Marsaili, who had come to Isobel’s chamber with Iain’s permission, silently dressed Isobel’s hair. A small twinge of guilt tugged at Isobel that the vibrant, welcoming laird’s wife, who had greeted her, had clearly taken her cue from Isobel’s dark, unfriendly mood and kept a careful distance between them. Isobel stared down at her hands and reminded herself that Marion had likely been ordered to come aid Isobel. Undoubtedly the MacLeod’s wife—with her surprising English accent—did not wish to be here helping the daughter of the Campbell. At least Marsaili truly cared for her.
Isobel would not look for love or friendship where there was none to be found. When a spell passed without anyone tugging or pulling on Isobel’s hair, she reluctantly glanced up, astounded to find Marion and Marsaili staring at her contemplatively in the looking glass. A small smile tugged at Marion’s lips, and Marsaili grinned.
“We’ve finished,” Marion said.
“Do you like it?” Marsaili asked with obvious hope.
Isobel looked at her reflection, and she could not stop the pleased smile. They had twisted her hair into a side-swept braid that curved around the base of her head and then hung over her right shoulder. Isobel reached up and traced a finger over the flowers that had been deftly weaved in and out of the heavy braid. Her eyes moved to the top of her head where a circle of white flowers was lying.
“It’s lovely,” Isobel said, “but ye two need nae have gone to such effort.”
Marsaili and Marion exchanged a quick look, and then Marion asked, “And why not? This is your wedding day. You should look special for Graham.”
“Ye need nae feign the truth,” Isobel said, her gut twisting. “We both ken Graham is marrying me for Brigid.”
“Oh, Isobel!” Marsaili cried out. “I dunnae believe that to be the only reason.”
“It is,” Isobel said stubbornly, choosing to ignore that he likely desired her body as proven by his kiss.
With a sigh, Marion set down the brush she had been using and then walked to the corner of the room and pulled a chair to face Isobel. Marsaili quickly did the same. Marion set her hands on her knees and then spoke. “I’ll not try to convince you that is false because I see in your face and hear in your voice that you firmly believe it. ButIdon’t believe that Graham would marry merely for revenge and gain.”
“I dunnae, either,” Marsaili added. “He has a look for ye.”
“Aye,” Isobel rebuffed. “And that look be one of retribution.”
“Isobel,” Marsaili started.
“It is so,” Isobel grumbled, realizing Marsaili wanted to believe good things were happening for Isobel, which touched her greatly. “I heard him say so with my own ears.”
“Oh.” Marion wrinkled her nose, then sucked in her lower lip and stared at Isobel for a long moment, clearly contemplating the information. “Well,” she said slowly, “maybe you misunderstood.”
“Aye,” Marsaili added hopefully.
Isobel shook her head. She dearly wished she had misunderstood, but she’d not lie to herself now. “I did nae misunderstand. He spoke clearly and said he would accept what his revenge had brought him.”
Marsaili sank deep into her seat, and Marion nibbled on her lower lip. “Those words could mean a great number of things, Isobel.”
Isobel sighed. “Nay. They mean only one. Lachlan also said Graham could not have plotted their revenge better.”
Marion’s and Marsaili’s jaws dropped as Isobel continued. “Lachlan also said Graham’s marriage would enable them to destroy their enemies.” She fell silent, refusing to repeat the part about Graham needing to make their marriage true as quickly as possible.
“Heavens,” Marion said softly. “That does sound bad.”
“Aye,” Marsaili said dejectedly. “I must agree.”
Marion smiled halfheartedly. “I can tell you my own marriage did not start as love, either, but it surely is love now.”
Despite the fact that Isobel had promised herself not to wish for friendship from anyone, the hope sprang forth, and she found herself leaning closer to Marion, who had thus far been nicer to her than any of the other MacLeods besides Graham, Cameron, and eventually Rory Mac.
“How did ye come to marry the laird?” Isobel asked, noting Marsaili was looking just as interested.
