Jack did not miss the frown on his brother’s face as he explained the plan to him.
“Brother… the council… if they find out of this plan then—”
“They willnae find out if nayone tells them. Besides, the council willnae tell me when to take a wife, or what lass to take a likin’ to. I will dae both when it pleases me and that is final.”
Elliot pressed his lips together, then he asked, “And does the Lady ken of this plan? Does she agree to it?”
“Aye she does. She also needs my help to get back to England,” he told Elliot before he laughed inwardly because of how crazy this entire plan seemed.
How is it possible that she is from the future? How in the God’s names did she get here then?
Jack hadn’t asked those questions yet. He had been somewhat fascinated by her from the start and spellbound by her laugh and beauty. He would find the time to ask her about how she got here, and why she came here.
“Just dinnae tell this to anyone,” Jack said to his brother when he brought his mind back to reality. “Nay soul must hear of this, dae ye understand me?”
“Ye have my word, Brother, ye can always trust that I will keep it,” Elliot answered. “The Lady will also be well cared for while she is here.”
“And protected also,” Jack added when he suddenly remembered that brigand holding her captive with a dirk to her neck. His chest constricted at the memory and a fierce surge of the need to keep her safe came with it.
After Elliot left his study, Jack walked to his window. The rain had subsided into a drizzle, but the air still had a cold bite to it.
The slight shiver that passed through Jack reminded him of how Isla had curled up by his side while they lay on his plaid the other night in the wild.
Her body had felt so soft, and she had smelled like the best rose oils he had ever known. Desire burned deep inside him as he remembered that scent and the feel of her skin, but he pushed the thought away and returned to his seat so he could continue his work.
Jack didn’t need her on his mind at this point. He just needed her by his side, and when the time was right, he would take her back to Birlet Shallows so she could find the gypsy who had brought her here.
If any of that was real.
His attention was buried in work again, and he didn’t know how much time passed until another soft knock came on his study door and made him raise his head to check who walked in.
10
Isla couldn’t go to sleep. Her mind kept racing the entire time, her head too, and each time she sat up on the bed, her hand moved to the medallion on her neck, and she fiddled with it while her thoughts raced.
She gave up after a while, got out of bed and slowly walked out of her chamber. The door opened with a tiny creak as she stepped onto the corridor. It was cold outside, the light breeze tingling over her skin and she rubbed her arms with both hands before continuing her way down the stairs.
There were guards at the foot of the stairs to remind Isla again of where she was. The men here had larger frames and hair full enough to give them a wolfish look. What amazed her was how they managed to carry the sheathed sword around. One time Isla had visited a museum in London, and she had touched a sword. It was heavier than she had imagined.
“My Lady,” one guard greeted then bowed his head with much enthusiasm. She also didn’t think she could get used to being called that. “Have ye no rest?”
“Where’s the Laird? I need to find him,” Isla said, then her fingers moved to the medallion on her neck again. She touched the object unknowingly every time now. it was like she needed to make sure it was always with her. “Did he leave the Castle?”
“The Laird is in his study, My Lady. Let me take ye to him.”
She walked with the guard on the Castle’s ground landing around the corner and followed him until they reached a door.
The guard stepped back for her to knock, then she opened the door fully and stepped in.
Jack raised his head from what he was reading. Her heart did a slow dive in her chest the instant his brown eyes merged with hers. Her pulse also skipped a beat. The response made her lick her lower lip and nibble on it.
His study was large, the desk behind which he sat wide and sturdy and he looked magnificent where he sat behind it.
“Isla,” he called. She walked further into the study and looked around so she could take in the full space properly.
It was even wider than her chamber. It was like a library. Books towered high on shelves to the ceiling, and there was a large settee on the side close to a table.
“I could not sleep,” Isla told him. “I can’t bring my mind to come to rest.”