page3 (1/2)
“I already knew that,” he said impatiently “Is he back yet?”
“Aye, he is,” she answered “But I have heard fro to leave for Arbane Abbey within the next feeeks He was e and was said to carry on so terrible The squire told me he cried”
It was the first bit of good news he’d heard since Coswold stepped off thelike an old woman “He truly did cry? Did anyone see him? Tell me more”
Isla was about to tell him that she had heard that Percy had kicked and screas when he had heard that the lady was to wed Laird Monroe, but then she realized Coswold had just finished doing the very saht not take kindly to the comparison
“He vowed that he would ’s permission and with or without her father’s permission”
Coswold snorted with laughter “He has always had lofty dreams”
She bowed her head “I wish that he would lower his expectations of a wife”
He paid no attention to her reoblet, used his sleeve to wipe the drips from his chin, then poured himself more “Did Percy tell anyone how he planned to acco feat?”
“Do youpermission?”
“Aye, that’s what I mean”
Before he could chastise her for letting herattention, she blurted, “Nay, he didn’t explain to anyone The sa does not attend the ceremony, then Baron Percy will represent him”
“So King John is planning to go to Arbane Abbey?”
She nodded “But the baron doesn’t believe the king will hness told him he has many other commitments he must see to first”
“And Percy’s hoping John won’t attend, isn’t that right?” He scowled as he asked the question
Once again Isla nodded “Percy boasted that the king has given him full power to speak in his nas as well”
Coswold’s good mood was dampered by the news “Baron Percy can make any decision he wishes?” he muttered “This is true?”
“That is what I’ve been told” Isla dropped her folded hands on the table and cried out, “You , I have feelings for Baron Percy You know this well Do you not see how I suffer?”
Coswold rubbed his jaw “He flatters you, Isla, because he sees how a kind ill turn your head and win your loyalty”
Her hand flew to her heart “I shall always be loyal to you When my father died, you took me in and made certain that all my needs were met I love you, and I would never ever be disloyal to you” In a rush, she added, “But I kno much you want Lady Gabrielle, and if you were to marry her, then perhaps Baron Percy will look to me for a wife I know that I’m not as pretty as most, but if you are married, then I will also be related to her, won’t I? And won’t that count for so with Percy?”
He hardly kne to answer He almost felt sorry for her, because she had such impossible dreams Percy would never ive her the time of day, for she was most unattractive Her skin was sallow and pockmarked, and her lips were but thin lines that seeood servant and a corown, and he wouldn’t be averse to keeping her in his hoe, who could Coswold find to marry her? She didn’t have much of a dowry unless he added to what her father had left her He knew that if the doere large enough, she would have ive up any of what he had Now that her parents were dead, Cosas Isla’s only family When she realized her uncle wouldn’t increase her dowry, she would get upset, of course, but it would pass, and she would eventually accept her lowly lot She had nowhere else to go
“Onebetter to say “Reet our animosity, especially if I should marry Gabrielle It see that prize”
“You could change that,” Isla said “You’re cunning and so clever You could find a way to marry her I’ve been told she doesn’t even know she’s to marry the laird yet”
“I think perhaps you have false hope, but I won’t discourage you”
“And if I should win Percy’s heart, you would give hierly
“I would”
“Thank you, Uncle,” she whispered Content now that she had gained his promise, she reo well?”
Coswold loosened the belt around his waist and, stretching his feet out in front of him, slouched back in his chair “St Biel is ahot when it should be cold”
“Did you find the treasure for the king?”
“I did not”
“Does it exist?”
His ansas immediate “No”
There was no point in telling her what he really thought As besotted as she ith Percy, Isla could very well let anything he said slip out at the wrong moment Love made women foolish
Cosasn’t telling anyone that he believed the treasure existed He planned to find it and keep it all for hiold coin with King John, who had lied to hiertips, Coswold could build an army and take whatever he wanted when he wanted it Ah, the thought of such freedom made his head spin
To achieve his dreams, he had to be practical Gabrielle held the key to the whereabouts of the gold He was certain the secret of the hidden treasure had been passed down froeneration to the next If he couldn’t have her, in order to glean the inforiven to someone he could manipulate And he had the perfect man in mind
“In a few days Ijourney,” Coswold remarked
“Must you go far?”
He nodded “All the way to the Highlands”
She gasped “You’re going to Arbane Abbey?”
“IJohn to answer his questions about St Biel Fortunately, he’s in the north now, and e are finished with our hlands”
“To the abbey” She nodded as she made the statement
“I have another destination in mind, but when I’m finished there, I will head to the abbey I should arrive in plenty of ti”
Isla took a deep breath to su for o with you? I would love to see the princess rand ceremony”
Now she was lying to hi Lady Gabrielle wed Percy would be there, and she wanted to see hied his ht be of help to him
She lowered her head in dejection, accepting his refusal before he had even given it
“Aye, you may come”
Her head snapped up Overjoyed, tears immediately welled in her eyes Soon she would see the love of her life, and perhaps she would find a way towas possible And Isla would do anything to marry Baron Percy
Anything
THEY WERE GOING TO BURY THE MACHUGH’S BROTHER IN the center of the battlefield, and to amuse themselves, they decided to bury him alive