Free True Love Brides 02 - The Highlander’s Curse by Claire Delacroix Page A

Orson asked with obvious derision. Annelise disliked that he, too, had arrived. He laughed, which seemed most inappropriate to Annelise. “Bravo! We shall have a gathering of wolf-killers, here at Seton Manor. Assuming your valiant hero can rise to his feet.”
    Isabella caught her breath, her eyes narrowing in a sign that she shared Annelise’s view of the knight.
    Orson sipped from a chalice of wine, his expression skeptical. “I must note, my lady, that he looks incapable of killing a fly.” He laughed again, his fellow knight chuckling along with him.
    Murdoch was watching Annelise, his expression grim, and she realized that he knew she had fled her room. She had disobeyed his edict that neither she nor Isabella should leave Seton Manor without accompaniment, and she had accused his guest of being a liar. Annelise felt her color rise, but she did not back down.
    “He killed this wolf, all the same,” Annelise retorted. “I was there and I saw the deed done.”
    Orson’s lips thinned. “You must be mistaken, my dear lady,” he said, his words tight. “As maidens so frequently can be.” He bit out the words. “It must have been a different wolf, for I killed the one whose pelt you clearly treasure.”
    Annelise wanted to argue with him, but Garrett moaned then, drawing her attention to the greater issue.
    “He is taken ill,” she said, hearing the plea in her voice. “I was bringing him to meet you and he fell sick. I hope Isabella can aid him.”
    Isabella gave Murdoch a look, one that Annelise recognized well, then went to Garrett’s side. Murdoch’s lips tightened briefly and Annelise knew he would have preferred to have denied Garrett admission to the holding. He clearly also knew the import of Isabella’s expression, and that she would not be stopped when she was determined.
    Murdoch exchanged a glance with Stewart, his most trusted man-at-arms. His gaze flicked over the sentries and the men in his household. Annelise realized that Murdoch did not like having so many strangers in his hall, whoever they might be, and Stewart liked it even less. Murdoch gave Annelise an intent look, no doubt signaling that she should remain where she was, and strode away to speak to the sentries. The gates were closed then and secured, Murdoch murmuring quietly with his men.
    Annelise remained in place, though she wished desperately to go to Garrett. She did not wish to defy Murdoch again, not when he was striving to defend her, and she trusted Isabella. All the same, she watched avidly as Isabella crouched beside Garrett, her fingers on his throat.
    Orson took a sip of the wine in his chalice as he considered the scene, then winced at its tartness. Annelise wondered if he realized that he drank from the sole cask of wine in Seton Manor’s cellars, one that had been opened as a gesture of hospitality for him. Though it was apparent he thought little of the merit of the vintage, she did not doubt he would have much to say when he had consumed it all. He looked as if he made rapid progress on that quest, despite his opinion of the wine.
    “So, charity is of great import at Seton Manor?” he drawled.
    “I do not understand your meaning,” Annelise said coldly.
    Orson shrugged. “He is an outcast, obviously, or one who has surrendered his wits. Perhaps he is even a felon. Yet, here he is, within Seton Manor’s gates. The lady’s charity is boundless.” He said this with a sarcasm that indicated he thought Isabella foolish.
    “I think it of merit for a lady to care for something other than herself and her own frippery,” Annelise snapped. “Would you prefer my sister sat in her chamber and combed her hair, rather than giving aid to others?”
    “Of course, she should do as she will, but…”
    Annelise could bear no more. Disregarding Murdoch’s intent look, she went to her sister and crouched beside her.
    “His pulse races,” Isabella said, apparently confused by this. “As if he has run far.”
    “He did