Highland Wedding Read Free Page B

brown eyes. Although she appeared to be totally attentive to her brothers, Iain could see that she was indeed watching him. He scowled but noticed that it did nothing to deter her. Absently, he also noticed that with her tall, broad-shouldered brothers flanking her, she looked even smaller than ever. Remembering the king, Iain shrugged nonchalantly.
    “Mayhaps she does. ’Tis hard to be sure, but it matters not.” Iain said the last three words with as much firmness as he dared.
    The king caught Islaen’s eye and beckoned her. To his amusement she looked around, looked back at him and pointed to herself mouthing the word ‘me.’ The king nodded just as her brothers nudged her in his direction. His amusement grew when she somehow managed to trod on each brothers’ foot before she approached. He noted that, although she curtsied and said all that was required, most of her attention was on the tall, solemn man at his side.
    Islaen felt tight with nerves, yet it was not because she met with the king, a man who held the power of life and death over them all. It was because of the man who sat at the king’s side. She only wished that there was the barest hint of warmth in the gaze Iain fixed upon her. With an effort she forced her attention to the king so that, even if she could stir no interest in Sir Iain, she would at least do nothing to make herself look the fool before him. There would be no way she could stay in court if that happened.
    “You have much the look of your mother, child. We knew her when your father was courting her. A lovely woman. Your father has not brought all your brothers, has he?” He smiled. “How many are there? ’Tis hard to keep accounts.”
    “Eleven. He only brought seven. The eldest four stayed at home, your majesty. Their wives are with child and cannae travel.”
    “Imagine that, MacLagan. Eleven strong sons. MacRoth needs no army. He breeds his own. Grandsons?”
    “Aye, sire. Six of them at last count. Only twa lasses. Angus, the next to the eldest, has one as does Colin, one of the twins.”
    They talked a while longer about her prolific family. Islaen was slightly confused but decided it was simply a matter of curiosity on the king’s part. Iain was not so naive. He had the sinking feeling he knew exactly what his sovereign was about, why he hadhad the girl talk about her prolific family. A sense of helpless rage grew in him as he saw what was coming. But he saw no way to stop it. One did not go against the king’s wishes, nor even his gentle suggestions.
    He had taken up the place near the king not only because the king wished it and for the prestige it gave. It kept him out of the tangle of flirtations that ran rampant in court, away from the machinations of women. He had been without a woman so long that a pretty, willing one could well be too much temptation. Now, seeing the danger headed his way, he wished he had not sought a somewhat cowardly way to avoid it. He was caught in the trap about to close tightly about him.
    It was ironic in a way, almost funny, although he felt no urge to laugh. He had fled Caraidland for the court to avoid the temptation of a woman. Each day had drawn him nearer to succumbing to her lures, but he had seen clearly that she sought no brief pleasurable interlude, but marriage. Now the very thing he had fled to court to avoid was about to be pushed down his throat.
    “A lovely girl. Well mannered yet not reticent. A man could do worse, or so think my godson and Lord Donald Fraser.”
    No matter how he tried, Iain could not completely repress a look of distaste. Lord Donald Fraser was two and forty. He had buried two wives already. Wine, wenches and gaming dominated his life. Iain did not want to picture what would happen to the girl.
    “Do not think poorly of MacRoth. The man is little at court and does not know Fraser as we do. Nor does he know our godson. We cannot refuse a match there but we would prefer it not be made.” The king sipped