The Highlander's Lady Knight (Midsummer Knights #2) - Madeline Martin Page 0,7
of the Ross clan were bullies who relished the shame and pain of others for their own mirth. And if Isolde agreed to dance with the bold, mysterious Chieftain of the Sutherland clan, she would have to walk past the Rosses to do so.
What was more, if she danced with this man, Brodie would likely seek out Gilbert to discuss the offense. What would she do then? She couldn’t very well meet privately with Brodie while wearing full armor with a helm to mask her identity.
“Forgive me, Sutherland,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. “My answer is still nay. Do excuse me.” With that, she swept away with Matilda following closely behind her.
Mayhap it was rude of Isolde to leave him standing thus, but she could not risk jeopardizing her opportunity to challenge Brodie the following day. For it might be the only chance she would have to be free.
3
Cormac stood in silence for a heart-stopping moment as Lady Isolde strode away from him. Her narrow waist was displayed in her yellow silk kirtle, defined by a decorative gold belt and gilt thread had been plaited into her braid, so it glinted like stars in her fiery hair.
“You should have said please,” Alan offered in a matter-of-fact tone.
Cormac frowned at him. “When did ye get back in here?” His frown deepened. “Where is Graham?”
Alan shrugged. “I figured you’d have need of my assistance.”
Cormac grunted.
Alan lifted his chin expectantly.
“Verra well,” Cormac growled in frustration. “Where is Graham?”
“With Lady Clara.” Alan scratched Pip on the head, stopped and pinched a flea between his nails.
Agitation tensed at the back of Cormac’s neck. Graham always knew what to say to women. It was Cormac who could handle the many tasks and tedious details of being chieftain. But Graham was the charismatic one who knew what to say and how to say it.
“Do you need advice with Lady Isolde?” Alan asked in a tone that was almost pompous.
Cormac didn’t like it. But he was also desperate.
In the distance, Lady Isolde was making her way to the exit. If he hurried, he could still catch her.
“Fine,” Cormac said with exasperation. “Tell me what to say to her.”
“Tell her she’s lovely and ask her nicely to dance with you.” Alan lifted a shoulder as if what he was suggesting was an obvious solution. “Mayhap follow your request with a ‘please.’”
But Cormac didn’t respond; he was already pushing through the throngs of colorfully dressed nobles to where Lady Isolde was nearly to the great double doors that would lead her out of the Great Hall and ruin his chance to make a better impression.
“Lady Isolde,” he called.
She didn’t stop.
Be polite.
“Forgive me, Lady Isolde,” he tried again.
This time she did stop and turn toward him. Her brows furrowed. “Sutherland, was there something you needed?”
Aye. A massive fortune and land nearby with food enough to feed his people through the winter.
“I dinna think I asked ye right the first time.” He tried to mimic Graham’s charming smile.
Her brows pinched closer together.
“I think ye’re quite bonny,” he said.
“Bonny?” She repeated the word as if she found it unfamiliar.
But then, she would be as it was a word more often used in Scotland.
He cleared his throat. “It means lovely. Ye’re verra bonny with a fine…” Panicking somewhat, he let his gaze skim down her body. It immediately rested on her firm breasts, the generous swell visible from the top of her gown. “…bosom.”
The lady’s maid gave a little squeak, and Lady Isolde’s eyes went wide.
Shite.
“I dinna mean that.” He put his hands out, as though he could physically stop the conversation. God, he wished such a thing were even possible. “I mean, I do. Ye’ve got fine breasts, but I dinna mean—” He dropped his hands in defeat. “Would ye dance with me?” He grimaced. “Please.”
She blinked up at him. “Nay, but I thank you for the offer.”
He nodded, not blaming her a bit. God’s teeth, he’d mucked that one up.
Her eyes lit up all at once. “Is this your dog?”
“Aye,” he answered quickly.
Alan’s eyes went wide with alarm, and Cormac immediately regretted his swift reply.
Lady Isolde knelt on the rushes and instructed her maid to procure some meat for the beast. She worked her fingers into the dog’s fur behind his ears and scratched until one of his hind legs began to itch at the air. She laughed and handed him a bit of meat from her maid before standing upright once more.