The Inheritance by Irina Shapiro Page B

sober man to be found, and Isobel looked for a way to make her escape.  The Hall was full of people and she was desperate for a breath of air.  She longed to be alone on the cliff walk, but it wasn’t safe at this time of night, so she settled for the garden. 
    The garden was bathed in moonlight , and she looked up at the night sky.  Wispy clouds floated across the full moon and the stars looked like diamond pins on midnight-blue velvet.  The air smelled of grass and damp earth, and she relished a moment of quiet after hours of being in that crowded Hall.  Isobel heard footsteps and turned around to see a tall man walking down the gravel path.  She felt a twinge of fear, but relaxed when she heard Rory’s voice. 
    “I was hoping y e were here.  I needed to see a friendly face.”  He smiled at her in the moonlight and her heart melted.
    “I am sorry y e had to go through that.  It must have been difficult for ye.” 
    Rory shrugged.  “It will be all right.  John is not my biggest supporter, but he is nay fool.  He kens I have my talents, and he will make use of them to his advantage.  I just have to be alert and always one step ahead of him.”
    Rory moved closer to her.  “There is only one thing I envy him, and that’s ye.”  Isobel looked up to find his face close to hers.  His hair was swept back and clubbed and his eyes reflected the moon above.  Rory’s hand caressed her face, and his mouth came down on hers in a kiss so tender that it almost made her cry.  The kiss deepened and she felt herself melting into Rory’s arms.  He felt so different from John.  His smell was masculine, but not repulsive, and his muscular arms made her feel safe and protected.  They heard someone enter the garden, and Rory pushed her into a dark corner and blocked her from view.  They heard drunken laughter and someone called out, “Carry on!  Do it for all of us, lad.”
    “I have to go,” Isobel whispered.  “We’ll be seen.”  Rory nodded.  “Wait a few minutes and then go back.  I ’ll wait a while, so nay one suspects we were together.”  He touched her hand as she slipped past him, but Isobel didn’t look back.  She rushed through the door, and nearly collided with Joan, who gave her a suspicious look.  The last thing Isobel needed was for Joan to see Rory coming out of the garden behind her, so she engaged her in conversation and led her away from the garden gate.  Joan wasn’t overly friendly, but she had no desire to antagonize the Laird’s wife, and they spent a few minutes discussing the ceremony and the gowns of the ladies.  Isobel saw Rory slip from the garden out of the corner of her eye and hoped that Joan was distracted enough not to notice.

Chapter 24
     
    When morning came, there were people sleeping on every available surface.  Men had been so drunk that they’d fallen asleep wherever they happened to be standing, and Isobel had to step over sleeping bodies to make her way down the stairs.  The women had retired earlier, and thankfully weren’t sprawled at her feet. 
    The day was gr ay, and a fine mist was falling making every surface glisten with moisture.  John had come to her room last night and collapsed on her bed in a drunken stupor, so she left her room as soon as she woke up.  She didn’t wish to smell his sour breath or listen to him snore.  He’d used the chamber pot before he fell asleep and the smell was nauseating her.  Isobel slipped past the dozing guard at the gate and made her way to the woods.  She just wanted to be alone for a little while to make sense of last night. 
    She should feel guilty for allowing Rory to kiss her last night, but she didn’t.  She could still feel his lips on hers and she touched her mouth smiling with wonder.  So that’s what a kiss felt like.  What would it be like to lay with a man you loved?  Would it be as painful as it was with John or was there joy to be found in it?  She knew Anna was looking