The Inheritance by Irina Shapiro

Author:Irina Shapiro
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery, Historical Romance, Thrillers & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense, Romance, Suspense, Historical, Scottish, Literature & Fiction
Publisher: Merlin Press LLC
Published: 2011-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 29

Too soon it was time to leave, and Isobel packed her belongings with a heavy heart. She kissed the top of Matty’s head and put the little dog in its basket. Rory was already in the courtyard saying goodbye to the men, and waiting for her and Mary. Suddenly, Margaret came running into their room.

“Isobel, come quick. Mary is screaming like a banshee and refusing to leave. She is in such a state.”

Isobel followed Margaret down into the kitchens where Mary was supposed to be getting food for the journey. Mary was hunched in the corner with her apron hiding her face. She was sobbing, and refusing to get up. Isobel’s mother was standing over her trying to talk sense into the girl.

“She willna talk to anyone but ye. Says she willna go back and would rather die,” said her mother. Isobel could see she was annoyed with the girl, having no patience for her hysterics.

Isobel knelt next to Mary. “What is it Mary? Ye dinnae want to leave yer family?”

Mary shook her head and wailed louder. Isobel looked at her more closely. Her eyes were swollen with weeping, her face blotchy and pale. With her apron pulled up she could see her belly, and it looked full. Was it really possible? Whose could it be? Mary didn’t have a sweetheart and had never been seen in a company of a boy.

“Mary, are ye with child?” she asked incredulously. Mary nodded miserably, and sniffled into her apron.

“Dinna worry, lass. We will set it right. I’ll speak to my husband and he will see ye safely wed afore anyone notices. Who is the lad?”

Mary looked at her with red-rimmed eyes. “I wouldna wed him even if I could. He forced me over and over; he hurt me, and said he’d kill me if I told anyone.”

“I’ll tell the Laird; he’ll see justice done. Who did this to ye?” Mary raised her eyes to meet Isobel’s, and all of a sudden she knew without being told.

“It was yer husband that did it,” said Mary, her voice flat, and resigned to the consequences of her situation. “He also bade me to watch ye and Rory, and report any impropriety. He has a mind to get rid of ye both so that he can marry that witch Joan.”

Isobel felt like she couldn’t breathe. She had to get outside. Her heart was hammering in her chest and the fury that was building within her was frightening her. If John had been standing in front of her at that moment, she would have killed him with her bare hands. What kind of monster raped a fourteen-year-old girl, while plotting to marry another woman? Poor Mary must have been so frightened. She’d been carrying this horrible burden alone afraid to speak to her mistress, and now she was carrying his child.

**

Isobel stormed out of the castle and swung into the saddle. Rory watched in surprise as she took off through the gates, and jumped on his horse to follow.

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