Page 85 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
“You can make him earn your trustagain,” she offered. When he didn’t look convinced, she seized on the one thingshe hoped would work. “If you send him away from the clan, your men will surelyblame me.” It was true, but she felt guilty for using the fact that Iain wouldnever want to do anything to cause her problems with his clan against him.
He frowned. “I dunnae think so.They ken what an error it was.”
“Thinking is not knowing,” shechided. “What if you’re wrong? Please, Iain.”
He sighed. “I’ll put him in thestables to feed and water the horses. Will that please ye?”
“Yes!” she said, grinning at him.
Iain chuckled and patted her on thebottom. “To bed with ye. I’ll be back later to see if ye are well.”
She resisted the urge to scowl athis order. She knew it had been given out of concern for her. “I’m not going tostay abed all day. I feel much better. And lying here would make me feeltrapped and worse.”
He looked as if he wanted toprotest, but he finally nodded. “If ye go outside, take Archibald with ye, butdunnae leave castle grounds with anyone but me.”
She clenched her teeth. She knew hewas worried. She was, too. But she didn’t like feeling trapped. “It’s as if I’mbeing kept prisoner in our home.”
His jaw ticked at the side, showinghis mounting frustration. “Dunnae think of it that way. I’m simply keeping yesafe until I’ve dealt with Froste.”
“Surely, you do not mean to makepoor Archibald attend me every time I want to go outside?” she prodded, tryingto make him see reason. “He’s supposed to be watching Bridgette.”
Iain’s expression hardened. “Nowhe’ll watch over both of ye.”
“I feel so much better now,” sheretorted with a roll of her eyes.
He smiled at her, as if a meresmile would make it all better. Her heart betrayed her and tugged as he’d likelyintended. His gaze softened. “I’ll attend ye when I can. If I kinnae andArchibald kinnae, then Angus can. Or I’ll appoint someone else.”
She glared at him, to which heresponded with a broader grin. He kissed her lightly on the forehead and leftbefore she could say more.
Certainly no longer tired now, shemarched to the wardrobe to retrieve the gown she’d borrowed from Bridgette. Butwhen she opened the door, her jaw fell open. A lovely gown of wool, fashionedwith wide sleeves and a more fitting cut than the traditional highland woman’sgarb, hung there. She didn’t hesitate to put it on. It fit perfectly. As shestruggled with the laces, a knock came at the door.
“Yes,” she called out, hearing thefrustration in her own short tone.
“May I come in?” Bridgette replied.
“Oh yes!” Marion called back.
Bridgette chuckled when she sawMarion twisting about, trying to tie her own laces.
“Help, please!” Marion begged.
“Turn round,” Bridgette demanded.
Marion immediately complied.“Bridgette, have you any idea who put this gown in here?”
“Nay.”
Marion frowned, wondering ifperchance Kyla had made the gown. Had Iain demanded it or did Kyla still likeher? She turned to Bridgette. “Were you there when Iain sent Fiona away andordered the women to like me?”
Bridgette pressed her lipstogether, but Marion could see she was fighting a smile.
“Oh no…,” Marion whispered. “Do thewomen hate me?”
“Most dunnae for Fiona beingdisciplined. Though a few of her friends did grumble, especially Alanna.”
“You saidfor Fiona being disciplined.”
“Aye,” Bridgette said, stillstruggling not to smile and finally losing the battle. Two large dimplesappeared and her eyes twinkled.
