Lord of the Black Isle Read Free Page B

Not even the animals suffered from any malady. And the sympathy others expressed and the sorrow she saw in their eyes whenever she passed were a constant reminder.
    And pity was definitely not what she needed.
    It was as if God had been busy and lost track of her—and the Black Douglas, too. She tried taking walks along the beach beneath Màrrach Castle, but the weather was turning cooler and the sky overcast, and she found herself more melancholy upon her return than she was before she left. She accompanied Isobella down to the caves where she was excavating, but that only reminded her of Ronan and memories of them helping Isobella and then picnicking on the beach afterward, and lying on the damp sand and feeling the luxurious weight of Ronan lying over her.
    It is time fer ye to go… The words floated across Elisabeth’s mind, but she pushed them away for she knew where they came from and she wasn’t in the mood to talk to the Black Douglas right now. She was very angry with him, and if he would show himself in human form, rather than as a meddlesome vapor, she would love to punch him flat out! However, she knew in her heart it was time for her to leave Màrrach and to find her own way in the world waiting out there.
    But now the question was, where would she go? She knew no one, save the MacLeans, who had captured her in the past and held her prisoner, and the Mackinnons, who had rescued her and welcomed her as part of their family.
    Day by day, she felt the urge to leave, for remaining here was not in the best interests of either her or Isobella. Although she was finally past the pain of losing Ronan, there were still so many reminders of him everywhere. She needed a fresh start, a change, an opportunity to present itself. You are a physician . But there was always the possibility that leaving would be the worst thing that she could do. What if I end up in a worse situation than I am now? Then she wondered just how much worse things could be. She was slowly dying inside. She needed a new life. She needed to practice medicine, and if medicine would not come to her, she would go to medicine.
    She rubbed her temples, wondering how she would ever solve this dilemma. Finally she thought: Go… leave… you know it will be best for Isobella and for you, and only time will tell if you made the right decision. Time is, after all, a great healer. And, if you fail, you can always return to Màrrach. She decided she would sleep on it, and if she still felt the same in the morning, she would leave as soon as possible.
    She did sleep on it, and when she awoke, she had breakfast in her room, then dressed and went in search of Isobella, who would be sewing or knitting baby clothes in the solar this time of the morning.
    On her way there, she passed the nurse carrying Isobella’s baby boy, and she stopped a moment to croon over the beautiful, sleeping child, before she continued on her way. She had not gone far when she met Alysandir’s brother Drust coming down the stairs. He inquired how she was doing, and they paused a moment to talk. She wanted to know what he thought, so she told him of her decision and why she felt leaving was best. “Do you think I am wrong to do so?”
    â€œNay, I dinna. I ken ye know yersel’ better than anyone,” Drust said. “I dinna see there is much aboot Màrrach to help get yer mind off of my brother and on to making a new life fer yersel’. ’Tis no’ an easy time ye will have o’ it, no matter where ye go, but I think leaving here will give ye time to start yer life over, and that is the best choice available to ye right now. Have ye any plans as to what ye will do or where ye will go?”
    â€œNo, I only know I want to use my medical training. So it makes sense to go wherever I feel I would be needed. I have even thought about opening a hospital somewhere.”
    â€œOch! If it is a hospital ye be wanting, ye should go to