"A good morn, one and all," Conall said in a jovial tone.
Isobel stood and curtseyed.
Dirk gave a brief bow. "M'lady." When his bright blue eyes met hers, she realized how much she'd missed him last night.
"Come, warm yourselves." Effie ushered the men toward the hearth.
"Don't get up on our account, I beg of you." Rebbie waved Isobel back to her stool.
"I've sat too long." And besides, she was feeling overwarm of a sudden. She paced to the other side of the small room, away from the hearth.
"How did the meeting go?" Effie inquired.
"Very well," Conall said. "The elders recognized Dirk, as did Aiden. Haldane was too young to remember him well. Claims Dirk is an imposter."
"Mmph," Effie grunted. "'Tis as I expected. Anyway, you're all just in time for midday meal." She waved them into the small kitchen and dining room.
While they ate oatcakes and leek soup, they continued the conversation about Aiden and Haldane.
"Aiden has agreed to let us stay at the castle," Dirk said. "Plenty of room there. We wouldn't want to crowd you out of your cottage, Aunt."
"You're welcome to stay as long as you wish. But Aiden is a generous lad. I'm glad his mother and his brother have not managed to turn him yet."
"Nay, he is as I remember him," Dirk said. "He has a good heart."
"The way he plays music, I believe he is an angel sent from the Almighty," Effie said.
"Och, you'd think he is Saint Andrew himself, the way the two of you go on," Conall proclaimed.
Isobel bit her lip to keep from grinning.
"Oh hush, you old goat," Effie scolded while giving her husband an affectionate pat on his bearded jaw.
"A good-hearted lad he may be, but he is not suited to be chief," Conall went on. "His da knew it, as does most of the clan."
Dirk knew Aiden didn't wish to be chief either, contrary to what his mother wanted. The reason she'd gone to great lengths to murder Dirk as a lad was so her son could inherit. Now, all her plotting and manipulation were coming to naught. She would be furious. If the elders would vote him in and Aiden would step down as chief before his mother could start her scheming again, Dirk would have a better chance. His stepmother certainly held less sway over the clan than she used to since she was now dowager.
At the moment, Aiden was likely a puppet chief of his mother and younger brother.
Although the matter of the clan and the chieftainship was heavy on his mind, Dirk's attention drifted to Isobel, sitting on the opposite side of the table. After having slept two nights in the same room with her, he'd felt bereft waking up and not seeing her, first thing. He wanted to talk to her now but didn't wish to draw unnecessary attention.
"How is your hand, Lady Isobel?" Rebbie asked.
"Much better. I thank you, my laird."
Annoyance wormed its way through Dirk's vitals. He knew not why. Rebbie was being his normal solicitous and friendly self. Dirk wished he could be more like him. Carefree and relaxed with the ladies… that would be much easier to deal with than the intensity he felt around Isobel.
Damnation, what was wrong with him? His father had just died. He might or might not become chief of his clan. And all he could think about was a woman who was practically married to someone else. It was not like him at all. Surely he was not becoming obsessed with women like Rebbie and Lachlan were. Of a certainty, Dirk also enjoyed women, but they were not at the top of his list of priorities. At least they never had been in the past.
Rebbie's gaze met his. "What's wrong?"
"Naught. We'd best be on our way." Dirk rose from the table, attempting to erase what must have been an incensed expression. He glanced to his aunt and uncle. "I thank you for the hospitality."
"You're most welcome anytime." Aunt Effie patted his hand. "And we're so glad you've come home."
Conall nodded. "Aye, indeed."
As they were gathering their possessions and leaving, Isobel embraced Aunt Effie. That seemed right and homey, somehow… like family. Dirk yearned for something he should not be imagining.
Dirk, Isobel, Rebbie, George, Beitris and Conall filed outside into the icy wind. The tempestuous sky with its swift gray clouds and moments of bright sunlight shifted and moved overhead.
Isobel stopped beside him as the others mounted up. "I haven't had a chance to tell you… I'm sorry about your father. You have my deepest sympathies." With her good hand, she touched his arm lightly.
"I thank you." Her words, and her touch, meant more to him than he could express. Since she'd lost her father not long ago, he knew her words were not empty. She truly did understand how he felt.
He was tempted to capture her hand in his and kiss her fingers, but she drew her hand away.
"Are you certain I'll be welcome at the castle?" Her deep brown eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, captivated him as she gazed up beneath the wool cowl.
"Aye. Aiden said you were. But you'll still want to watch your back."
"I always do."
"I worry about my youngest brother, Haldane. He is unpredictable and untrustworthy."
She frowned, as if in deep thought. "I will be careful."
"Let me see your injured hand," Dirk said.
She placed her hand in his, the light weight of it and her trust in him somehow made him feel as exalted as a king.
The broken finger was still bandaged with the splint, but the top of her hand now held a deep violet hue.
"There is much bruising." The blue bruise to the side of her face remained as well. Rage crawled through him. Damn Nolan MacLeod. "Does your finger ache?"
"Some, but I can tolerate it."
He gave a brief nod and released her. He was proud of her strength. A lot of ladies like her would do nothing but complain with every breath, being injured and here at the edge of the land where the wind off the sea lashed with a vengeance.
"If you don't mind too much, you can ride pillion behind me again," he said, offering his arm.
Her hand slipped around his elbow, and they moved toward Tulloch. "'Twill be my pleasure, kind sir."
Pleasure? Did she get as aroused as he did when they rode together? 'Twas not possible, surely.
Once they were mounted, Isobel astride behind him on the bedroll, Dirk finally felt normal. She grabbed onto the back of his woolen mantle.
"Give me your good hand." He reached back for it and tugged her arm around his waist.
She held on tight, then placed her other arm around him. His body stirred as it always did when she touched him, his blood flowing hotter while delicious carnal images formed in his mind. He could easily visualize trailing his fingertips over the bare silky skin of her curves.
Damnation! He had to stop.
He glanced aside and found Rebbie grinning like a coddled puppy. Dirk would no doubt have to endure more teasing later.
Refusing to give him the satisfaction of a response, Dirk urged the horse onto the trail through the village and toward the castle.
He could never think of her as his, or he'd never be able to give her up.
***
The many whitewashed cottages of the village reminded Isobel of Dornie. She was tempted to ask Dirk when someone would escort her home, but with the wind gusting as it was he'd likely not hear her. Besides, knowing the danger he was in, she was in no hurry to go home.
Her arms underneath his wool mantle were warm but her hands were exposed. She had no gloves and would be unable to wear one on her injured hand anyway. Her layers of woven wool did not shield her from all the icy needles of wind that penetrated the fabric. She shivered, wishing she could crawl under the mantle with him. Naked. To feel his hot skin against hers would surely be bliss. She didn't understand herself. She'd never had such lustful thoughts about a man.