The Inheritance Read Online Free PDF Page B

very little, having only met him once as a lad.  She was surprised that Alan McBride didn’t bring his son with him when contracting the marriage.  It would have been a good opportunity for them to meet and take each other’s measure, but the men usually had their reasons for what they did and she didn’t question it further. 
    Castle Grant was a day’s ride from Kilmaron and was located inland.  Isobel began to smell the salty air of the North Sea as they drew closer and the chill wind blew through her cloak like an icy breath that left her frozen with fear.  Her mother didn’t make the trip with them because of her ill health and she was accompanied mostly by men, who paid her little mind.  She was just a pawn in this scheme, and they looked forward to the feast and then their imminent departure once their mission was complete and they had handed her over and shook hands with the enemy.
    The Grant party arrived at Kilmaron well after dark and Isobel was shown to a small chamber that she was to share with Mary.  The wedding would take place in the morning, and she was sent a tray of food and hot water to wash.  The men sat in the Hall with the McBrides drinking and telling stories, but she was expected to rest and prepare for the nuptials. 
    Mary didn ’t help matters.  The little maid was white as a sheet and kept looking out of the window at the stormy sea, crossing herself, her wispy blonde hair tucked into her cap, and her face the color of whey.
    “All will be well, Mary.  Go to bed,” Is obel tried to comfort the girl, despite her own fears.  She lay awake long after she heard Mary’s soft snores, worrying about her wedding night and all that it entailed. 
    The milky light of morning began to fill the small chamber , as a serving girl came to wake them and bring them some ale and bread for breakfast.  She bade Isobel dress and be ready to go to church, but it was another two hours by the time the men had finally roused themselves after a night of drinking, and made ready.
    The small stone church sat on a lonely hill about a mile from the castle .  It was built of the same gray granite as the castle, its one truncated tower appearing as if it were holding up the leaden sky.  They passed through a lichen covered gate, and walked down the dirt path that led past the weathered headstones of the not so recently departed. 
    The bridegroom was already there, standing with his back to the studded wooden door.  He was looking up at the single stained glass window , showing no interest in his future wife.  He finally turned around, and Isobel got a glimpse of her intended.  John McBride was an ox of a man with unusually light blue eyes and thin lips. His thinning brown hair and full beard made him look older than his twenty-six years, and even his wedding finery did little to make him look appealing to a seventeen-year-old girl.  He gave her a brief nod, not bothering to smile, and turned toward the altar.
    Isobel took her place beside him and the ceremony began.  She hardly paid any heed to the words of the service intoned by the elderly priest, and was shocked when someone cut her wrist and brought it against the cut wrist of her new husband to symbolize that they now shared the same blood.  Everyone seemed in excellent spirits, and went back to Kilmaron to enjoy the wedding feast being prepared by numerous servants at the castle. 
    Isobel’s heart felt like a stone in her chest as she mounted her dappled mare and set off towards Kilmaron to start her new life.  Her groom barely looked at her as he galloped away with the men.  Mary silently rode by her side, sensing that her mistress didn’t want to talk.  After all, what was there to say?

Chapter 9
     
    Rory had fully intended to go to the wedding, if only to see the poor girl who was being sacrificed in the name of peace between the clans, but days in the saddle and several nights sleeping rough had left him tired and saddle sore.  He