Another Man's Bride

by Ariel MacArran

  He was slumped where he sat, his mouth open in slumber.

  The women exchanged smiles then bent to retrieve the cup and pitcher from their place beside him.

  “Oh, Kat,” she cried, as she looked into the depleted pitcher of doctored ale. “How much did you give him?”

  “Only the one cup, he must have poured more for himself while we were looking away.”

  Isabella felt a rush of concern. “It was not my intention to poison the man. He will sleep a whole day and night.”

  “All the better,” Katherine returned.

  They heard a soft knock. Katherine hurried to unlatch the door and Sir William slipped inside the room.

  He nodded to Isabella. “My lady,” he whispered.

  He clasped Katherine’s hand, and she pressed it with both of hers.

  “You have done well indeed,” Sir William said, looking at the MacLaulach clansman. “And he is armed. All the better since I cannot liberate mine own sword unnoticed.”

  “I thought the chieftain allowed it to you,” Isabella replied.

  Sir William nodded. “And took it again before the MacLaulach clan arrived. But why did it need be one of their clan that I disguise myself as, my lady?”

  “The MacKimzie know their own men well, but they cannot know the MacLaulach by sight as yet,” Isabella explained hurriedly. “The clansmen guarding the gate will not expect to know every MacLaulach. For friendship’s sake they will be loathe to stop one.”

  “Perhaps you should not return to the castle,” William suggested. “Perhaps we should both ride to Perth. I can bring you to Blackfriars in a few days’ time, then return to negotiate Mistress Katherine’s release.”

  Isabella and Katherine exchanged a look.

  “I did think it,” Isabella confessed. “But Katherine and I together can hide your disappearance better, perhaps for even for a day or two. I must appear again tonight at supper or the cry will go up. I will say I became separated from my guard and returned to the castle on mine own. They will think less of a missing guard if the captive returns peacefully.”

  “They will puzzle it out,” William warned.

  Isabella nodded. “Yes, but by that time you will be many miles from here and able to communicate with the queen directly. Verily, by the MacKimzie’s own word Her Majesty’s answer should have been here a fortnight ago! If my cousin has not come to agreement with the laird then you must persuade her to send men to force his hand.”

  “I fear the MacKimzie’s anger with you when he learns of my escape,” Sir William said.

  “As do I. I will not have broken my vow to him. I will still await his release of me here, but yes, I expect he will be quite furious. Hurry, now, and let me have my ride. I expect this is the only liberty I will have until you return to rescue me, Sir William.”

  “I must undress him,” Sir William said.

  “I will help you,” Katherine put in.

  “This is hardly a fitting task for a gentle born lady,” William said disapprovingly.

  “Oh, pshaw!” Katherine retorted. “I am sure he has nothing I have not seen before!”

  When William appeared shocked, Katherine arched an eyebrow at him.

  “I am a widow, Sir William.”

  Relieved, William turned to his task and missed Katherine’s quick, clever smile to Isabella.

  “I will have some provisions for you to hand over once we are free of the castle,” Isabella said. “Katherine has more. She will bring you down to the courtyard and remain if we have need of her help. When we are gone, she will watch over the MacLaulach man. She will say she has only just seen you and that you are hereabouts if there is any question.” William nodded and Isabella continued. “Hide your clothes under his mantle, we will have to bring the man’s clothes back and dress him ere he wakes. Give me your cloak, I will hide it under mine own.”

  Katherine already had the man’s mantle off. “You best see to the horses, poppet.”

  Isabella nodded. “Meet me in the courtyard, and mind you hang back and use the Highlander’s cloak to cover your head and face. I will send the boy away and bring the horses. We will mount as soon he is away and start to ride.”

  William nodded his assent.

  “I will get him there, poppet,” Katherine promised.

  Isabella threw her cloak over William’s, hiding it well, and slipped out the door. She went on swift feet down the stairs and caught herself, quickly ducking back when she saw the MacLaulach walking with Caitrina in the gallery. The pair seemed to have looks only for each other but Isabella did not want to risk being seen and she eased back into the shadows as they passed with agonizing slowness.

  A soft giggle from one of the archways caught her attention just as the MacLaulach and Caitrina passed from sight. Alisoun had intrigued—if that is the phrase, Isabella thought sourly—one of the MacLaulach men. He was still adjusting his tunic and gave her a quick passionate kiss, extracting a promise he would see her in a few hours’ time before he slipped away.

  Alisoun took a few moments to smooth her hair and hurried out. She headed in the opposite direction of the man, which unfortunately brought the Scotswoman right into Isabella’s path. Alisoun stopped short when she saw Isabella.

  She smirked and made her way to Isabella, swinging her hips. “Looks like the laird is well and truly finished with ye.”

  “I do not know what you mean,” Isabella replied coldly.

  Alisoun tossed her head. “Ach, ye most certainly do! I seen ye with him in yer chamber and I know ye’ve spread yerself for him, sae dinna lie! He’s had ye and is finished with ye. Now he’ll be sendin’ his leavings to another man to pick over and rides the MacLaulach lass in the same bed. Ye may have blood as cold as Cailleach’s but I’ll wager it’s eatin’ at yer insides whenever ye look at him!”

  Isabella narrowed her eyes. “I should think you would be more concerned with your own prospects. I hope you are an adequate farm hand. I do not think the Lady Bredach will let her husband keep his whore about.”

  Alisoun’s face flushed red and she took a step toward Isabella, her hands clenching to fists. “I never lay with the MacKimzie and any who says differently is a liar!”

  Isabella snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”

  “’Tis true!” Alisoun said furiously. “He was too busy pantin’ after ye like a dog after a bitch in heat! He dinna want me, but at least I dinna throw meself away like ye did!”

  “You seem to have thrown yourself away on a MacLaulach instead.”

  “Neill loves me an’ mark me, I’ll be his wife before Handsel! Yer nothin’ but the chieftain’s harlot for all yer fine things and highhanded ways,” Alisoun sneered. “And a sorry one at that. Now that he’s got the bonny MacLaulach lass he’ll nae be mountin’ ye again!”

  When Alisoun stalked off, Isabella stared after her, momentarily forgetting her task.

  She was not his mistress? Never had been? Isabella’s heart hammered. Was there no plot between them?

  Did he not long for Alisoun after all?

  Of course not. He had Bredach, a beautiful wife who adored him in return. Even if Alisoun had never been his lover, he was lost to Isabella just the same.

  I must not dwell on what might have been or I will fall here and weep till I am dry. Let that await my return here after William has gone.

  Isabella closed her eyes briefly to tuck it away in her mind. Only getting William away mattered now.

  She had to get to the stables.

  Her fingers plucked at the pelt of her cloak’s lining, but when she reached the stables, she saw only Dougal, the young stable boy who had sat in her Court of Fools.

  She swung back her shoulders, plastered on a smile, and tried to appear more confident than she felt.

  “Hello, Dougal. I have come for Cobweb. Will you saddle her for me, please? My escort will need a horse as well.”

  He shifted and she could see his Adam’s apple bob. “I canna do it without the chieftain’s sa
y so.”

  “Oh, he has given me permission to ride today. Go and ask him if you like. I think he is in the great hall, only run quick, it has been an age since I was outside the walls!”

  Dougal started at a jog across the courtyard.

  Isabella stood in the doorway of the stables and searched worriedly for William.

  Her breath froze as she recognized Colyne walking arm in arm with Bredach in the far courtyard. His bright head was bent toward her, her lovely face tilted up at him as they spoke.

  Dougal ran toward the pair and Isabella’s heart pounded so, nausea gripped her.

  Would Colyne come question her—or worse still, demand to speak to her escort?

  I must not be sick, not here. God’s blood, not now!

  Isabella dug her nails into her palm and forced herself to take slow breaths of cold air.

  Colyne threw Dougal an annoyed look and nodded, waving the boy away to turn his attention back to his bride.

  The boy looked embarrassed when he returned.

  “I’m sorry I dinna take yer word, lady.”

  “You have given no offense,” she assured, summoning a smile. “Will you saddle the horses please? One of the MacLaulach men should be here shortly to ride with me. I hope he is not delayed much, I long to ride again.”

  Dougal nodded and set himself to the task. Isabella knew it would take him some time to ready the horses even if they were already groomed.

  With that in mind, she glanced round the edge of the stable wall, an eye on one of the arched entrances to the courtyard.

  It was not long before Sir William appeared there, Kat with him. Disguised as he was by the MacLaulach clansman’s black and green plaid, Isabella should scarce know him herself.

  Dougal had the horses just about ready now. She waved William back. She prayed no MacLaulach would see him there and call out to him, that no MacKimzie clansman would recognize the English knight in a MacLaulach’s mantle.

  She met Dougal with a smile as he led the horses out.

  “Here,” she offered, reaching for Cobweb’s reins. “I will take her.”

  She led the palfrey and Dougal walked the other horse into the courtyard.

  “She looks well. I wager she has made short work of the oats!” Isabella stroked Cobweb’s nose. “Lazy thing! You shall be as fat as the Duchess’s lap dogs soon!”

  “It’s good a horse fatten up in winter,” Dougal returned. “She’ll run it off come spring.”

  “I hope to ride her enough to help with that!” She made a show of looking around as if distressed. “I cannot think where my escort is. Please, Dougal, would you run to the hall and ask? ’Tis one of the MacLaulach men, called Donald, who is to ride with me.”

  “O’course, lady,” Dougal said, happier now that her chatting showed her not angry after all. He offered the reins to her to hold.

  She waited until the boy was a good distance away before quickly walking the horses toward William. The knight darted from his place and was on his horse swiftly, already urging it toward the gate.

  Isabella mounted the palfrey, her heart hammering.

  “Dougal!” she called.

  She caught his attention just as he was about to go inside. She smiled and waved, letting him see that there was a man behind her, mounted and ready to ride.

  A man wrapped in a MacLaulach cloak.

  Dougal waved back in acknowledgment.

  The guards glanced at them but the stableboy waved, letting them know she had permission to go.

  Her breath came fast as they rode at a walk across the bridge; the sound of the horses’ hooves seemed unnaturally loud against the wood. Any moment she expected to hear a hue and cry but there was none.

  Snow fell gently around them and Isabella turned in her seat to look at the castle.

  The image of the man behind her dressed in a Highlander’s plaid cloak, his face carefully hidden, was the very picture of her sending, and she knew for certain that they would not be pursued.

  Isabella and Sir William maintained a steady slow pace, not wishing to attract the guards’ attention as they rode away. They picked up speed when they reached the village, but dared not speak.

  Many of the villagers had come to the castle for Christmastide; it was possible still that Sir William should be recognized. Isabella did not breathe easily until they had crested the hill and were hidden by the trees.

  Isabella slowed her horse and glanced behind her. Sir William looked back as well and they exchanged a look. They were out of sight of the castle and the village. A quick glance around the woods confirmed they were alone.

  Isabella reined in and swung down.

  Sir William dismounted too and was already throwing off the MacLaulach’s mantle. She freed his cloak from underneath her own and gave it to him, taking his horse’s reins in exchange.

  Isabella turned away to allow him privacy as he changed into his own clothes.

  William dressed swiftly then took the reins from her. “I shall ride east. There are lairds loyal to the king even this deep into the Highlands. Perhaps I will not have to ride all the way to Perth. I will send to the queen as soon as I am able and return to demand your release. What of you, my lady?”

  “I will ride west. If we are followed they will have to split to ride after us. I will try to wait until nearly dark before I return to the castle to give you more time.” Isabella handed him a satchel. “My jewels are inside. Trade or sell them if you have need of it.”

  He secreted them into his doublet. “I will not fail you.”

  Isabella smiled at him, and impulsively kissed his weathered cheek. “My father died when I was but a few days old, Sir William. I hope you will forgive me if I give you some of the affection I would have given him.”

  The knight flushed, his eyes moist. “And should I have been blessed with a child I cannot think I could care for her more.”

  Isabella stepped back. “Ride fast. Be careful. I will see you soon.”

  He bowed to her, a gentleman to the last. He mounted his horse, riding away as swiftly as the forest would allow.

  Isabella watched until he was out of sight, letting out a shaky breath. If it were possible to reach the king or bring help, Sir William Dernbury would. She felt almost giddy as she mounted up.

  Soon I will be free of this place, and of him.

  She crossed the tracks they had left earlier to confuse the trail then rode west. She had never ridden alone before. At every other ride she was protected, sheltered, chaperoned. She did not want to burden William with her fears and there was no help for it anyway. She must remain away from the castle as long as she could, till sunset if possible.

  She straightened her back, determined to enjoy her ride, the air fresh and clean in her lungs.

  The freedom of it soon calmed her nerves. Once she married, no longer an heiress to be bargained, traded, guarded, she might know greater freedom of movement than she ever had before. Perhaps she would ride alone every day.

  Now there was the matter of covering William’s escape. There was not a soul on the castle grounds, or likely in the village, unaware of the affection between Sir William and Kat. Perhaps they could pretend the two had had a lover’s quarrel and William had hidden himself away to brood?

  Isabella smiled to herself, thinking of how Kat would relish the opportunity to play the part of the distraught lover. She shone at playacting when the opportunity at court called for it.

  He will be furious.

  A flutter of fear ran through her chest at the thought of facing Colyne when he discovered their trick. She remembered Bredach pouting up at him and his adoring gaze. No, Colyne would not well tolerate being shown up in front of his lady wife.

  He might separate her and Kat. Lock them away far from each other. Likely would, knowing how heartsick it would make them to be apart.

  It was late afternoon and she was beginning to tire. After so many weeks inside she was no longer used to riding. Her thighs and lower back were ac
hing and her feet had fallen asleep.

  Isabella chewed the inside of her cheek. She had tossed and turned again last night, disturbed by nightmares and worry. She had been sick again that morning. If she were confined it would not be long before they noticed—

  The wind picked up and she had a sudden sense of uneasiness. She brought Cobweb to a stop and looked up.

  It had begun to snow.

  The uneasiness settled into tightness in her chest and Isabella turned Cobweb toward the castle. The trees were thicker here than she remembered and it was hard to get her bearings. The snow was coming now in flurries, the landscape quickly becoming featureless.

  She rode toward higher ground. If I see the castle, or even the loch, I can make my way!

  She picked up Cobweb’s pace to crest the hill, only to discover she was not where she thought she was.

  The snow was coming down heavily now. She could not see the castle, or the village or even the loch. Only sloping woods and snow-covered trees—an indistinguishable landscape of white.

  Snow collected in her cloak, the flakes dulling its vermillion color. She turned the horse to look around.

  I still prefer Colyne’s wrath to freezing to death, she thought, trying to stave off panic. Of course, she might feel differently once faced with that Scotsman’s fury.

  There was a wide stream ahead, the slow-moving water flowing downward a clear path through the storm. She nudged Cobweb forward; the horse picked up speed. The palfrey knew this direction to be the right one.

  Isabella’s shoulders relaxed. I need only to follow the stream’s bank to the loch and I will find the castle.

  It was good she had found the creek. The snow grew ever deeper around Cobweb’s hooves. The horse’s steps grew labored. Isabella kicked the horse to encourage her, but the palfrey stumbled in the snowdrift.

  The snow, the creek, the trees—all the world rushed away.

  His hair glowed like fire. The queen’s blood on his hands. She raised her arm against the blow into her chest.

  He had once held her so tenderly—

  The world returned, tilting around her as she fell.