"We kept the secret well." His cousin shrugged and smiled smugly.

"I need two men I can trust to watch my back, aside from Rebbie. Sometimes he is distracted by the lasses."

"Aye and a pretty one arrived with your stepmother, Lady Seona Murray," Keegan said with a grin, obviously referring to the young, dark-haired, blue-eyed lass who'd stood with her mother or aunt behind Maighread. So, she was the lass Maighread wanted Aiden to marry.

"Och, you make me sound completely useless," Rebbie protested. "Truth is, Dirk is so distracted by a certain dark-eyed, voluptuous lass that someone could charge him from the front, sword drawn, and he'd likely not see them if she was in the room."

Dirk's face heated. Damnation, how he hated blushing. "This is serious. Let's try to focus."

"I'm being most serious. Anytime he's around Isobel, he'll need two bodyguards, one to watch his back and one to watch his front," he told the other two men.

They chuckled and eyed him. "I thought she was betrothed to someone else," Keegan said.

"Aye, she is. And let's not change the subject," Dirk said, determined to get back on topic. "My stepmother likely won't try anything herself. She'll get one of her servants or one of her guards to do it. She'll be creative. Her mind is more twisted and devious than anyone I've ever met, but she hides it from those closest to her. Her friends, hell, even my own father had no inkling how conniving she is."

"I certainly remember what happened when you were almost killed," Keegan said, his blue eyes stormy and troubled. "You're like a brother to me and you're the rightful chief and laird. I'll be honored to be your personal guard if that's what you're wanting."

"Aye. I would like that. And I thank you," Dirk said, feeling grateful and humbled to have another good friend. He turned to the son of his father's sword-bearer. "Erskine, we were ever friends when we were lads. 'Twas likely a miracle you were not with Will and me when the disaster at Faraid Head happened."

"'Tis true."

"Would you be willing to be my personal guard as well, at least until I know who else I can trust?"

"Aye, I'd be more than happy to."

Surely Dirk could trust these two men. He hoped. He hadn't been around them in twelve years, so he wasn't one hundred percent certain of anything. He had to figure out which members of the clan were trustworthy and which ones Maighread might pay to murder him.

***

Isobel followed Maighread into the castle's south-facing solar. The weak winter sun shone through the three narrow windows, highlighting the blue and gold Turkish carpet spread upon the floor. The two ladies who'd arrived with her followed also.

"Close the door," Maighread told her servant once they were all inside. "This is my best friend's daughter, Isobel MacKenzie, countess of Jedwarth." Maighread told the two women. "And this is Lady Seona Murray and her aunt, Patience Murray. Lady Seona is to marry Aiden."

Isobel curtseyed. "A pleasure to meet you both."

The two women returned pleasantries.

Seona was young, perhaps a score years and her aunt was about two score. Both were attractive, dark-haired and shared a strong resemblance with their oval faces, ivory skin and full, Cupid's bow lips.

They took seats around the fireplace, except for Maighread, who paced. The maid added bricks of peat to the glowing, smoking coals.

"I cannot believe that man claims to be my stepson. And what lies he tells. I hope none of you believe his insane accusations against me."

"Nay, of course not, m'lady," Patience said.

Seona merely shook her head. Isobel did the same, not wanting Maighread to suspect she was on Dirk's side.

Maighread appeared to accept their words and calm herself. She sat in a chair opposite Isobel. "'Tis a grand surprise to find you here, Lady Jedwarth. What were you doing out in a snowstorm?" Maighread asked.

"Please call me Isobel," she said, stalling for time. She truly hated being called Lady Jedwarth, and she was not yet prepared to reveal all. Isobel's mother had trusted Maighread with all her secrets, but Isobel didn't, given that Dirk accused her of being a murderer. And she knew the other women not at all. They might have clan ties to the MacLeods, which meant Isobel couldn't reveal all about her escape from Munrick. "'Tis a long story. And I wouldn't wish to bore you ladies," Isobel said.

Maighread sent her a sympathetic smile, or was it patronizing?

"Are you the same Isobel MacKenzie who was to marry the MacLeod chief?" Patience asked.

Isobel felt the blood drain from her face. How did she know?

"When we passed through over a month ago, we stopped at Munrick for two nights rest before continuing north. They talked of how they were expecting Lady Isobel MacKenzie to arrive soon to marry their handsome young chief."

Isobel forced an uncomfortable smile. "Aye, that would be me."

"What happened?" Patience persisted.

"I… would rather not say."

"You ladies warm yourselves. Lady Isobel and I will go see where the food and drink are." Maighred waited for her at the door.

With dread, Isobel pushed up from her chair and followed, suspecting she was going to be questioned intensely.

The older woman led her to an alcove at the end of the corridor. "I could tell you didn't wish to discuss it with them listening, but I am deeply concerned about what happened to you, lass."

Isobel's stomach ached, for she was uncertain who this woman truly was, her mother's trusted confident or a soulless murderer. Either way, Isobel didn't want Maighread to become suspicious. She needed to gain her trust in order to find out her plans. Would the murderess try again to kill Dirk?

Isobel wrung her hands. Either way, Lady Patience had already revealed that Isobel was betrothed to Torrin MacLeod. There was no need to deny it any longer. "Do you promise not to tell anyone?" Isobel asked. "It is a delicate situation."

"Of course, my dear girl," Maighread cooed as if Isobel were five instead of twenty-five. "Your mother always trusted me with her deepest secrets, and you can too."

"Very well. I thank you for your confidence," Isobel said, pretending she believed nothing of Dirk's accusations. "You see, my brother signed a contract for me to marry the MacLeod."

"I'm certain your mother would say that was a poor choice." Maighread shook her head. "And did you marry him?"

"Not yet. We're betrothed. But because of… something that happened, I had to leave. Snow was pouring down. Fortunately, Dirk MacKay and his friend came upon us between Munrick and Ullapool. I'm not sure we could've made it to shelter if not for their help."

"Goodness. What on earth could've happened to cause you to run away during a snowstorm?"

Isobel stared at the floor, burning with humiliation. Now she needed a reason for leaving the MacLeod. She could think of no better excuse than the truth. It didn't matter if Maighread knew what Nolan did. Maybe if she confessed such a traumatic experience, it would cause Maighread to trust her and commiserate with her.

"A certain member of his clan was treating me badly."

Maighread's eyes widened as if she were eager to devour the gossip. "Who and what did they do?"

"His brother… accosted me and tried to force himself on me."

Maighread gasped. "You poor dear. Your brother will seek revenge, surely."