Free Yuletide Enchantment by Sophie Renwick Page B

up, or come not at all and be happy and know that I will always love you.”
    “Daegan!” she cried as she threw her arms around his neck. “Why must it be so hard for us!”
    “It is the way of star-crossed lovers, is it not?”
    She grumbled, but then sobered. “I nearly forgot,” she said, pulling away from him. “My father has organized a hunting party for tomorrow morning—”
    “And I am to be hunted?” he asked with a grin.
    “Do not make light of this,” she said, slapping him lightly on his arm. “You must take care to keep hidden.”
    “You worry?” he asked, rather pleased.
    “Of course I worry. My father wants your head mounted and hung above our fireplace, for heaven’s sake.”
    He laughed and gathered her close. “I can take care of myself, muirnín. There is no need for these tears, for come the night I will be waiting for you. You will see.”
    She wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “Will you stay with me tonight?”
    He nodded and settled against the headboard. “I will stay with you. Forever if you will have me, muirnín. ”

    In the morning he was gone. Isobel hurried and got up from bed and rang the bell for her maid.
    Elizabeth arrived seconds later. “Ack, Miss,” she cried, rushing over. “Donna rush. Breakfast is nae ready yet.”
    “My father and brothers,” she grunted, twisting in order to undo the buttons of her nightgown. “Have they left yet?”
    “Nay, miss. The horses are only being saddled now.”
    “Good, then fetch my riding habit and leather boots.”
    “You’re gonna ride this morning, before tea?” Elizabeth asked. “That’s not like you, miss.”
    “I know,” she huffed, straightening her hair as her maid pulled the black-a nd-gold habit from the wardrobe.
    “Why donna you sit, miss, and I’ll se tae your hair.”
    “I’m in something of a rush, Elizabeth. I won’t be fussing with it today.”
    She shocked her maid speechless when she pulled the wool skirt from the hanger and jumped into it without her drawers and petticoats. “Help me, Elizabeth. I can’t manage the buttons by myself.”
    “Are you all right, miss? You ’aven’t taken ill, ’ave you?”
    Isobel laughed. “Perhaps taken leave of my senses, but I assure you, I’m hale and hearty in every other aspect. Now then, Elizabeth, if you will inform the groomsman to prepare my horse.”
    She had Daegan to save this morning.

Chapter Nine
    In the end, Daegan had evaded them. Thank the Lord, she thought, glancing up at the sky. Daegan was safe. But for how long? she wondered.
    Well, at least he had not come to any harm. She had been terrified for him. Every time she had seen the trees of the forest sway she had feared he would emerge, prepared to charge.
    But he hadn’t. She wondered what had kept him away. Instinctively she knew it wasn’t fear. Daegan was fearless. Perhaps it was for her own peace of mind.
    Closing her eyes, she thought of him and the night they’d shared. She also thought of his proposal, if it could be called such. A rite, he had called it, a way to bind them together forever. She only had to sacrifice her family to his.
    Why could love never be easy? she wondered. As she patted her mount’s muzzle, Isobel turned away. She was cold and hungry. A good meat pie and a cup of tea is what she needed.
    “Don’t go.”
    She gasped and looked up as she caught the shadow of someone emerging from her horse’s stall. St. Clair .
    “Good day, my lord.”
    “Good day, Isobel. I trust your ride was successful.”
    “The hart was not found.”
    St. Clair looked relieved. “But you’ve seen him, haven’t you?”
    Isobel cocked her head to the side. “Not of late, my lord.”
    “The hart. He is yours.”
    Isobel took a step back as the earl came closer. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “He was going to impale me, and yet, when he saw you standing there, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. To murder me before you.”
    She laughed, a tight,