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spirit her away from whatever troubled her.  He wanted to keep her
safe.
    Mo sonuachar. 
My soulmate.
    She was such a
small thing, so startlingly different from himself.  And contrary to how most
women regarded Tristan, Isobel was not afraid of his commanding presence.  She
had actually challenged him!  Her confidence and wit coupled with her catty
sense of humor made Tristan feel recklessly alive.
    His sudden rush of
feelings for Isobel overwhelmed him.  He wanted her badly.  He wanted all of her,
damn the consequences.
    Tristan was
consumed with thoughts of Isobel as Justice raced away from the village.  The
horse was lively and carefree, exuberant at the chance to run freely and
stretch his neglected muscles.  Tristan at once felt guilty not exercising the
beast as was his daily custom.  The welcome solace of the trees approached
quickly and Tristan felt his anxiousness quiet.  The seclusion of the forest
had always provided him with peace. 
    After galloping
into the security of the trees, Tristan pulled back on the reins, slowing
Justice to a walk.  He stopped the beast completely, closing his eyes and
listening to the soothing sounds of the forest.  Tristan swung down from his
horse.  He flipped the reins over the beast’s head and led him forward, further
into the cool shady trees.  Arriving at a small stream, he tied the reins to a
fallen log even though he knew that Justice would never leave his side. 
    The rushing of the
stream calmed him, soothing him with the babbling sound of the cool water
running over the rocks.  Perhaps he would go for a swim later.  The weather had
certainly been warm enough despite the fact that it was late October.  Tristan slowed
his breathing and leaned against the trunk of a tall tree.  He closed his eyes,
trying to calm his spinning mind.
    “Ye canna have
her,” he whispered aloud as he shook his head slowly from side-to-side.  “Ye
are a fool for thinkin’ that ye could have her.”
    Isobel was the Laird’s
daughter.  Tristan was in no position to take a wife.  He had spent years
building a wall around his heart, protecting himself from the pain that he knew
would come if he allowed himself to be vulnerable again.
    Never again. 
Never again.
    He repeated the
words over and over in his mind.
    Tristan’s eyes
flew open when he heard the first stick crack near the edge of the forest.  He
flew silently to his feet and unsheathed his dagger.  Secreting himself behind
the tree he stood poised for attack.
    His heart raced
when he saw her approaching.  Isobel walked down the forest path, leading her white
horse and stepping on every stick and dry leaf in front of her.  The lass could
not have been louder had she tried.
    Tristan smiled
ruefully at the irony of his situation and moved stealthily to sheath his
dagger.  He muttered underneath his breath and raked his hand through his hair.
    “Tis not safe for
you to be out alone,” Tristan said without a cordial greeting as he revealed
himself to his unexpected visitor.  Seeing Isobel out riding un-chaperoned
caused his protective nature to flare.
    Tristan intended
to have a word with Isobel’s guards the next time he encountered them.  He
gritted his teeth together as he planned exactly what he would say to them.
    And then he
promptly reconsidered.
    The fact that
Isobel could so readily slip the watch of her guards allowed him precious time
alone with her.
    “Tis nice to see
you too,” Isobel huffed as she tethered the reins of her mare to a low hanging
branch.  “I needed some fresh air and went for a ride.  I saw you lead your
horse into the trees and thought to see that you were well.”
    “I am capable of
protecting myself, milady,” Tristan said with a chuckle.  “Your father has you
well guarded for a reason,” Tristan said as he walked towards Isobel, intent on
not allowing her to change the subject.  “A Lady out by herself can meet many a
danger.”
    “Which is exactly
why you are