Page 98 of When A Laird Loves A Lady
Iain suddenly felt Marion pressedat his back. He turned and drew her to his side and then spoke. “King Edwardwishes for me to return to England presently to set the official terms ofDavid’s release.”
“Why do ye look troubled?” Lachlanasked. “It’s a good thing, aye?”
Iain gripped Marion tighter beforehe answered. “Aye, the release, when it actually happens, will be good. But healso says he’s received word that de Lacy and Froste are gathering troopsagainst him, and he feels more certain than ever that he’ll need me, er, us”—helocked gazes with Lachlan—“to fight with him.”
Marion stiffened in his arms. “Soyou are going to war?”
“Nae yet,” he soothed. “King Edwardis cunning, however. He has now promised, in writing, to set the terms to makeme believe he will keep his vow. Thus, when called for help, I will aid him.”
Marion pressed her hand against hisheart. “So you will go to save David.”
“Aye. I must.”
“I know,” she replied her voicestoic, even as her lips trembled. “I wish to go with you.”
“Nay. I’m sorry, but the journey islong and yer health is still too fragile.”
“But—”
“Nay, Marion. I will nae risk yerlife just for the comfort of having ye with me, however much I yearn for it.”
Two days later, Iain called for Marion, Bridgette,Angus, Archibald, Rory Mac, and his brothers—except Cameron, who had gone totake Elspeth to her banishment—to come to the great hall. When he hadeveryone’s attention, he spoke. “I dunnae want Marion to leave the castleunaccompanied.”
“That’s insensible!” Marionblurted, showing the temper she claimed not to have.
When he gave her a long look forbreaching their agreement that she’d not challenge his wishes in public, shecolored. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. Before he could tell her he forgave her, aserving girl from the kitchen entered the room.
“Laird, I’m sorry to disturb.”
Iain flicked his gaze to her.“Aye?”
“Torcadal MacLeod is outside and hebrings a request from a neighboring clan he was passing through. They wish formy lady”—the girl inclined her head toward Marion—“to come to help in a birth.They heard she has some skills.”
When Marion started to rise, Iaincaught her hand but rose to stand beside her. He looked at the assembled group.He knew what he was about to say would garner protest from Marion, but it hadto be said. “I dunnae want Marion going to any neighboring clans to aid anyonewhile I’m gone.”
“Iain!” Marion gasped.
He glanced at his wife and held hergaze. “Understood?” he asked the group in general, never taking his eyes fromMarion. Her gaze had grown stormy, which was not a surprise.
A chorus of agreement met hisquestion. He nodded and faced the serving girl. “Tell Torcadal that Marionkinnae come.”
“But, Iain,” Marion protested.
He took her hand and squeezed. “Imust depart, and I kinnae have ye gone. The worry…”
Her gaze turned soft. “I understand,”she whispered.
Once the serving girl left, Iainquickly finished his instructions to the group and then dismissed them. When heand Marion were alone, she spoke before he could.
“I’m sorry. I do forget my tonguesometimes in my anger.”
He grinned. “Aye, I ken. I’msurprised ye dunnae still try to pay for all yer sins.”
She gave him a dark look. “That’sbecause Bridgette finally told me that Scots don’t practice that, and thenFather Murdock laughed at me when I told him you all should.”
“Dunnae fash,a ghràidh.Father Murdock laughs at everyone but me. The man is a drunkard.”
“But he’s your priest.”
