did not move but instead bent her head more determinedly over her sewing.
Something was amiss.
Ice frosted in Isolde’s veins. “Where is Cormac?” She cast a glance around the room. “Where is my armor?”
At last, Matilda looked up, her face creased with guilt. “Forgive me, my lady.”
“What have you done?” Isolde demanded.
Matilda shook her head as tears welled in her eyes. “If I didn’t do this, you would die.”
“Where is he? Where is Cormac? Matilda, what have you done?” Isolde’s voice pitched with rage and frustration and grief. Because she knew where Cormac was before Matilda could answer.
“He’s at the practice field, my lady,” Matilda said sorrowfully.
“Where is my armor?” Isolde ordered. “Get it for me posthaste.”
Again, Matilda shook her head as tears streamed down her face. “I cannot, my lady. Your armor has been relocated to Sutherland’s tent.”
Isolde stared at her maid in complete horror.
Matilda drew in a shaking inhale. “If you wish to attend, I’ve been told you may do so only as yourself, wearing one of your gowns.”
A sob wrenched from the depths of Isolde’s soul, a piteous, raw wail of pain.
Matilda rushed to her side. “Forgive me, my lady.”
Isolde spun on her maid. “You have betrayed me most heinously.”
Matilda erupted into noisy tears. “Forgive me, my lady. I could not bear the thought of your death.”
“And so, you have sent the man I am to marry to his death instead.” She stared with incredulity at the woman she had trusted most in the world. “There can never be forgiveness for this act.”
Matilda hiccupped through her tears and nodded with an understanding that pricked at Isolde.
“He is at the practice field now?” Isolde asked.
Matilda nodded and swiped at her tears with a handkerchief. “Would you like me to dress you, my lady?” She indicated a kirtle she had already laid out. It was a simple design of pale blue linen. One that could be put on quickly. No doubt Matilda had selected it for that reason.
Guilt pinched at Isolde for her ire. “I know you did this to protect me. But you must know what it’s done to my heart.”
Again, Matilda nodded and set to work dressing Isolde. Though the maid’s hands shook, her movements were swift as she laced Isolde into the simple kirtle and bound her long hair back in a single braid.
When she was done, Matilda stood before Isolde with her head bowed. “I only sought to protect you.”
Isolde took Matilda’s hot hand in hers and squeezed. “I know. Forgive me for my anger. I can’t…” Her words choked off. “I can’t lose him.” She closed her eyes, and a tear slid down her cheek. “I’m so frightened.”
It had been years since Isolde had said such words. She hated the helplessness and fear that she’d sworn she would never allow herself to feel again.
Isolde blinked her eyes open. “Stay at my side?”
Matilda tightened her hand around Isolde’s. “Always, my lady.”
Together, they left the room and quickly wound their way down to the practice field. A small cluster of men had already gathered, and Isolde knew the fight would begin anon. If it had not already.
Her pulse pounded like a war drum in her ears. She quickened her pace, practically running toward the group of men. Pip raced to her, but she did not stop to pet him. She didn’t pause to see if Matilda followed, or bothered to care who might notice her eagerness to see Cormac. She didn’t stop until she caught sight of the two men in full armor as they circled one another.
“Cease this at once,” she cried as loud as she could. Beside her, Pip whimpered.
Both men paused.
Isolde found Brodie in the crowd. “I beg of you not to do this.”
He sneered at her. “I see yer brother dinna bother to show up for the fight. He sent another man in his place.”
“I do not love you,” Isolde said vehemently. “I never will.”
Brodie laughed. “It was never yer heart I was after, ye silly chit.”
“I will not marry you.” Isolde lifted her chin. “No man could force me to wed the likes of you. This battle is pointless.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Ye will.”
“I’m already wed,” she said hastily. “Last night. To the Chieftain of the Sutherland clan.”
Brodie cast his attention to the two warriors facing one another. “Ye mean the man my champion fights now?”
“Aye.” Isolde leveled her stare at Brodie. “Wedded and bedded. You cannot have me.”
Aye, it was a partial lie, but who could refute her claim?
She had won.