Highlander Medieval 06 - Her Highland Hero by Terry Spear Page B

thieves, he would have avoided them. As it was, they called to him, and he went willingly to greet them. “
    “Lord Pembroke was alone at the time?” Marcus asked in disbelief.
    “The two knights with him were also murdered.”
    Marcus absorbed that, then said, “They were dressed in their lordly Norman clothes so Lord Pembroke would believe he had nothing to fear from them. Did he know them?”
    “That we do not know for certain.”
    “The shepherd did not hear an exchange of names?”
    “Nay,” Lord Wynfield said.
    “Why did you not send for me so I could protect Lady Isobel?”
    “You are a Highlander!” the baron said, slamming his fist on the table, his face red with fury.
    Marcus glanced up to see two of the earl’s knights watching them at the entrance to the great hall. He said to the baron in a low voice, “Aye, and ‘twas no’ a Highlander who murdered Lord Pembroke, but a Norman.”
    “You cannot go after her.”
    Marcus would not listen to the baron, who could very well have sent the lady into danger. “Where is her escort headed?” He knew the destination, but not the route they would take.
    Lord Wynfield stiffened his back and narrowed his eyes. “Listen to me. She will marry an English lord. Not a Highlander. I have done what I felt was my duty to the earl and to the lady herself.”
    “Have you considered that the same lord who murdered her da might very well attempt to marry her? Mayhap Lord Pembroke wouldna allow him to marry her already. Mayhap the gentleman will force himself on the lady so she has no other choice. What if after he has her title, he has no other use for her? Have you considered this?”
    Wynfield’s face drained of color.
    “Where. Is. The. Lady?” Marcus asked, gritting out the words.
    “She is gone and will soon be safe in another’s care. If you wish to rest here the eve and continue on your journey home, I will make the arrangements.”
    If she had left so long ago, she would have already reached her destination. Marcus knew the baron had been lying.
    With barely controlled animosity, Marcus said, “For your generosity, my lord, I must thank you for the food, but we must be on our way.”
    He glimpsed Isobel’s maid, Mary, who was stretching her neck, trying to see around the two knights standing in the entryway. The maid had served Isobel’s mother as her companion from her Highland clan, and when Isobel had been born, she’d devoted herself to the lass. He was surprised she had not gone with Lady Isobel since she’d often accompanied her when he had visited the castle in the past. That doubly concerned him.
    Marcus frowned at Lord Wynfield. “Mayhap we should stay here the night.”
    Rob interjected, “He doesna like that we are Highland—”
    Marcus motioned for his silence, his gaze still locked onto the baron’s as if they were fighting in a battle. The man sat like stone, his expression giving naught away now. What was going on? Was the lady still here within the castle walls? Marcus would learn the truth if he stayed here. Trying to get back into the castle without permission if he learned afterwards that the lass was here, he would find nigh to impossible.
    On the other hand, if Isobel had already left, he didn’t want to lose any more precious time in tracking her down.
    Mary motioned around the knights for Marcus to come with her. Sir Travon glanced back at her, and she quickly dropped her hand to her side. She smiled brightly at the knight.
    Marcus said to the baron, “Should we stay?” He glanced at Mary to see if she would warn him one way or another as to what he should do.
    Sir Travon was again watching Marcus, and Mary quickly shook her head, saying no.
    “We will go.” Marcus immediately rose from his bench, his men following suit. “Again, I thank you for your hospitality.”
    Lord Wynfield gave him a stiff nod, and then allowed them to leave on their own.
    “What was that all about?” Rob said in a hushed voice to Marcus as