A/N: Big thanks to Tiffany & Sherry!

Enjoy x

Chapter 24

After a good weep in the bath, Isabella was feeling much better. She didn't understand why she had felt so emotional to begin with, but the more she thought about it, the more she realised that she had been hoping for reassurance from her husband. She needed to know if he was pleased with her. If he had been satisfied with her last night, but how could she possibly ask him if he wasn't here?

She also didn't like that he had left without saying goodbye to her or telling her where he was going. Did he have no intentions of being a proper husband to her? Was he going to be just as bad as the Baron? The thought of an empty marriage greatly upset her, but then how could they possibly have a bad marriage when they had shared such an incredible moment together? He had even said it wasn't like that for every man and woman. So, surely what they shared was special?

She was so muddled and the more she tried to work everything out the more confused and upset she became. She decided to put it all to the back of her mind. She would address her concerns to her husband once he returned, whenever that would be. For now, she would do her best to keep herself occupied, so she didn't have time to dwell on the matter.

After her bath, she called Tiffany to help her dress. She then quickly had her nooning meal and ordered the housekeeper to show her around the castle.

Tiffany was delighted to show her mistress around the house and have her undivided attention. She took her to the kitchen first, where she introduced her to the head cook Sue. Then she showed her around the house, showing her where the other bedrooms were and the soldiers' sleeping quarters.

Isabella thought the castle had the most peculiar floor plan she had ever seen. Nothing made sense. The soldiers sleeping quarters were on the top floor, there was also a hall, purely for the soldiers, while all the guest bedrooms were squashed into small spaces next to the stairs. The kitchen was beside the dungeons and the main hall was on the first floor, which meant all the staff had to carry the meals up and down the stairs. Of course, she never shared these thoughts with Tiffany, who seemed rather fond of her home.

After the tour, she dismissed Tiffany, saying she needed fresh air. She went out of the castle, with the intent of exploring the grounds, but when she got near the castle wall two guards stepped in her path, stopping her from leaving.

"Move out of my way," she commanded.

One of the men shook his head. "We canny mistress. We are under strict orders to keep ye within the castle walls."

"By who's orders?" Isabella snapped.

"By mine."

Isabella turned around to see Jasper standing behind her. He had an amused look on his face. "And why can't I leave?" she asked.

"Yer Laird wants ye to stay in the castle grounds, for yer own safety."

"My Laird," Isabella mumbled. Of course, he was her laird now, though she hadn't been expecting him to stamp his authority on her so soon. "And where is My Laird?" Isabella asked.

"He's left the castle."

Jasper obviously had no intentions of telling her where her husband was.

"And when shall he return?"

"I canny say."

Isabella bowed to Jasper. "Thank you for your time, sir. Please let me know when my husband returns," she said before marching away. She was furious and had every intention of letting her husband know just how mad she was upon his arrival home.