Who would be the king’s third choice? Another man who would willingly put Isobel in danger should the king command it? It felt as if a hand were pressing down hard upon Graham’s chest. He was responsible for her. He had brought her here and promised he would ensure her safety.
“For the third man, who I firmly believe to be the best choice, I put forth Gowan MacDonald.”
“Nay!” Graham denied out loud. The man was the ruthless Lord of the Isles and also the laird of the MacDonald clan. He detested the Campbells as much as Graham’s family did, and Graham feared Isobel’s treatment as his wife.
“Nay?” the king barked. “What voice do ye have in this?”
The question reverberated in Graham’s mind. What was he doing? Isobel was hated by his sister, who he owed his loyalty to, but he also owed Isobel protection. She had saved his life, as well as Cameron’s. Graham knew Isobel could very well divide him from his family if they failed to accept her, yet he could not simply let this happen.
“I wish to be considered as the third choice,” he stated, the calmness in his voice pleasing him, because as he met Isobel’s wide gaze he felt anything but calm.
Chapter Twelve
Cold air hit Isobel’s teeth and tongue as her mouth opened in shock. From the way King David’s eyes widened, then narrowed with displeasure, she realized he did not care for the turn of events. The MacLeods were already his allies, and he clearly had said he wanted to bind new allies to him to attain more men. Besides, it seemed as if the king had already made his choice with Gowan MacDonald, and this was just a ruse so that she would tell her grandmother he had held to his part of the bargain.
She stole a quick sideways look at Graham. His jaw was set, and his eyes narrowed. His hands were clenched into fists by his sides—he was angry and fearful for her. This man who had brought her to the king to be married at David’s will—for she did not doubt the king would assert it and circumvent even his bargain with her grandmother—was now upset for her. Her heart squeezed. Graham had truly earned her trust, her admiration, and yes, a bit of her heart. He was the only one of the men she knew at all. He would treat her with respect and kindness, and she knew not if she could say the same for the other three men.
As she swept her gaze over his determined profile, broad shoulders, and thick arms, hope rose like an unstoppable mist within her that maybe, just maybe, he wanted her for her and that she would find the love that she had feared would never be hers. Maybe even belong to a family that cherished her.
“I accept Graham’s offer,” she blurted, wanting to assert her desire before the king spoke.
The king’s eyes glittered dangerously as they came to her, and under the heat of his angry scrutiny, the hairs on the back of her neck rose and her breath caught deep within her throat. She feared she had just made an enemy of the king, but before she could worry about the consequences of that, Graham took her hand in his, and she eased somewhat. His fingers curled around her hand, and he squeezed. His silent support and palpable strength filled her with calm.
“David,” Iain said, “what say ye of a marriage between Graham and Isobel? I’m certain ye see it as a good match, as do I.” His tone was as unyielding as a rock. Iain MacLeod, Isobel decided, was the king’s man, but no puppet, just as sure as the king was no puppet.
Tension blanketed the room as the king and the laird stared at each other, unblinking. The king’s nostrils flared. “It would be an excellent match,” he said, making Isobel’s gut clench at the hesitancy in his voice, “but I fear I did nae foresee such a match, and in my eagerness, I must admit that I already sent word to Gowan offering Isobel as his wife, and he has accepted.”
Isobel barely managed to stifle a moan of desperation. The king had never intended to let her choose her husband as he had promised her grandmother. He intended to force her just as everyone else had.
Iain’s jaw twitched. “Ye can undo that which ye have done, can ye nae, David? Yeareking.”
“I could,” the king said with words that felt very purposeful, “for a price,” he finished in a mild tone, even as his eyes grew cold as deep winter.
Fear slammed into Isobel’s chest. She did not know of what the king spoke, but it was clear the price would be steep. Graham may have come not to hate her, but his family still held a strong dislike for her, with the exception of Cameron.
Iain’s face clouded with anger. He looked to the dais where the king’s men sat. “Get out,” he said in a deep, hard voice.
Both men rose, descending the dais in silence. Graham’s hands suddenly came to Isobel’s shoulders as the king’s men walked past her. Graham turned her abruptly toward him. His gaze bore into hers, intense and insistent. “Follow Cameron out. He will take ye to find Marion, and she will ready ye to be married.”
Isobel started. She knew she had agreed to be married, but she’d not expected it to be today. Yet, she sensed an urgency in Graham, so she nodded as Cameron took her by the arm and led her toward the door. The moment they exited the great hall, an angry voice resounded from within. She expected Cameron to haul her immediately away, but he stopped, pressed a finger to his lips as his eyes beseeched her to heed his warning, and leaned close to the door. She moved to do the same, and he flicked his gaze to her but did not motion her away.
She recognized Iain’s voice at once. “What is the price ye speak of?” he demanded.
“I will consent to the marriage of Isobel and Graham, which will bring yer family their revenge and also place Brigid in yer control, but ye must return Lena to them.”
Isobel shrank away from the door, aghast, and backed straight into Cameron. His jaw was rigid, and his face flushed. He set a finger to his mouth to warn her to stay silent. When Graham barked, “Nay!” Isobel and Cameron moved as one back to the door.
“Graham!” Iain growled. “Remember yer oath.”
Isobel’s head swam. Graham’s oath to whom? The king? Or her? Had he made an oath to Lena to avenge her? Suddenly, doubt about his intent filled her. Had he offered for her in order to protect her or to ensure his ultimate revenge? She pressed a hand to her roiling stomach.
“Ye kinnae ask us to give our sister back to the Campbells,” Lachlan said.
“I do,” the king replied simply. “But only temporarily. Once I have the names of those plotting against me, ye may take back yer sister, kill Findlay, and keep Brigid. I trust yer family to rule the castle in my favor. The Campbell will be able to keep his pride, or believe he is doing so, by gaining Lena, and I will declare that yer two clans must be allies.”
Isobel’s heart pounded so hard it was like a drum in her ears.
“We will never be allies,” Iain ground out.
