A/N: Thanks Tiffany & Sherry.
I didn't plan on updating today, but I then I thought - why let a few eejits ruin it for everyone else?
Enjoy.
Chapter 12
Isabella woke the next morning in a surprisingly good mood. She donned her one and only dress and headed down to the great hall for the morning meal. The room was relatively empty when she entered, which suited her just fine. She took a seat in the same spot she had been sitting in the night before and waited to be served, though none of the maids rushed to bring her food. Instead, they stood at the side of the room staring at her and talking in hushed whispers.
Isabella quickly realised that they had no intention of serving her and rather than confront them, she choose to vacate the room and head outside. Though the only way she knew out of the castle was through the dungeons and kitchen. She would have to walk it alone.
"Lady Swan?" A voice called to her from behind, as she headed down the stairs towards the cells. Isabella turned around to see Jasper hurrying after her. "Where are you going?"
"I was just on my way outside. Father Brennan invited me to come and visit him at his Kirk today," Isabella replied.
"Aye, but why are you going this way?" Jasper asked, confused. "These stairs lead to the dungeons."
"It is the only way I know."
Jasper frowned. A Lady shouldn't be wandering down there, especially not alone. There was no telling what she would see. "Come, I'll show ye another way," he said leading her back up the stairs. His Laird had asked him to keep an eye on her and just as well he had. "Who showed you the path through the dungeons?" he asked, curious.
"I'm not sure," Isabella replied, not wanting to get anyone into trouble. The same kitchen-maid had been present in the hall this morning. She thought her name was Lindsay. She had been one of the girls that had refused to serve her. She didn't want to cause any more animosity between them than there already was so she would rather not say what had happened.
Jasper scowled, he knew she was keeping something from him, but he decided not to press the subject. Instead, he would pass his concerns onto his Laird. He took her back up the stairs and through the great hall to another set of stairs, and led her down them. The stairs lead to a small hallway and to a door at the side of the keep.
"Do you know the way to the Kirk?" Jasper asked her, worried that she would get lost on route.
Isabella shook her head. She was planning on asking one of the villagers for directions.
"I'll take ye then," Jasper said, knowing it was his neck that would get it if any harm came to the Lady.
The Kirk was located outside the castle walls and through a small forest. It certainly wouldn't have been easy for Isabella to find by herself. She was grateful that Jasper had offered to help her.
When they arrived at the Kirk Jasper said he would wait outside for her, but Isabella insisted that he return to the castle. She planned on spending most of the day with Father Brennan and she was sure that he would escort her back to the castle for the evening meal. There was no reason for Jasper to wait.
Jasper didn't like the idea, but he did as the lady bid and reluctantly returned home.