Page 92 of My Notorious Highlander

"I hope so."

Isobel bit her lip, sending Jessie a look that was both affectionate and amused. "Could I talk to you for a moment?"

"Aye, of course." Jessie was curious as to what her friend wished to discuss.

Isobel led the way to her bedchamber. Once inside, with the door closed, they took seats by the fireplace where a small fire warmed the room.

Isobel gave her that enigmatic, mischievous smile again. "Maybe I shouldn't ask. You will think I'm very nosy indeed."

"We're like sisters. You ken we can talk about anything."

Isobel tilted her head, giving her a sweet, warmhearted look. "You care for Torrin a great deal, do you not?"

"You can tell, aye?" Jessie asked in a dry tone. She'd known this was the subject her friend wished to discuss.

"Aye. After what happened when I introduced you two last winter, I feared you would never even talk to him again."

"Well, in truth, I didn't want to talk to him. And I had good reason." She told Isobel the story of how she had witnessed Torrin killing her foster brother years ago, and his reasoning for it.

"His poor sister," Isobel whispered, her dark brows furrowed. "In that situation, Cyrus or Dirk would do the same thing that Torrin did, seek justice for a sister's death."

"Aye. But I didn't understand at the time what was happening. I thought he was killing him for no reason. I was afraid to mention this to Torrin. If he knew I was a witness, I wondered what he would do. If I were to tell the Keiths, they would still seek revenge, even though Lyall was guilty of a horrid crime. Lyall's father, the chief, would especially want revenge, for he has never gotten over it."

Isobel's dark eyes widened. "You're not going to tell them, are you?"

"Nay, of course not. I'll do everything I can to protect Torrin."

Isobel frowned. "What of the lass Torrin supposedly loves who lives in the village near Munrick? Does he truly have children with her as Nolan told me?"

"Torrin said 'twas not true. He asked who had been spreading rumors about him. I didn't tell him that his brother had told you. We heard that Nolan had kidnapped you from your camp south of Munrick several weeks ago."

"Aye, 'twas horrible. I'd dropped my dagger, so I couldn't even stab him. Dirk ended up killing him."

"We heard that as well. I'm glad you were not harmed."

Isobel's eyes widened. "So, Torrin knows about his brother?"

"Aye."

"Was he angry?"

"Nay. He was saddened to hear his brother is dead, of course, but he knew Dirk had done what he had to in order to rescue and protect you."

"Thank the saints. I would hate for Dirk and Torrin to be at odds." Her expression turning to inquisitive, Isobel asked, "So, has Torrin asked for your hand since he's been here?"

A clash of emotions made Jessie's heart beat harder. "Aye."

"Are you reconsidering?"

"'Tis not so simple," Jessie said, studying her broken, jagged nails. They looked the way she felt inside. "I didn't tell you the whole truth before."

"When?"

"Last winter, I told you that when I was handfasted to Gregor MacBain, we only shared a bed three times. That isn't true. We shared a bed for three months." Jessie's face heated. Blast! How she hated blushing.

"Oh." Isobel gave her an inquiring look.

Though Jessie trusted Isobel, she still found it difficult to hold her gaze while admitting such things. "I was ashamed because I was unable to conceive during that time. MacBain found another woman, and she bore him a son. He believed I was barren, and… I'm afraid he may be right."