Page 1 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Chapter one

Prologue

June, 1649

Balnagown Castle

Clan Ross

“Jena, I’m scared.”Helena clung to her older sister and whispered the words, even though they were alone in the small cottage where they and their mother had lived.The lasses had just arrived back from Mam’s burial and were awaiting the escorts who were bringing them to the Mackay Clan.

Even though Helena and Jena were of the Ross clan, their mother had been a Sutherland and with their father having been dead since Helena was an infant, their aunt Dorathia Sutherland, Mam’s sister, had insisted the girls be raised by her.Since there hadn’t been any offers to keep the lasses with their da’s clan, they were packing their belongings to join their aunt who awaited them outside with the Sutherland escort that had come with her.

They’d never met Aunt Dorathia before the funeral.Older than their mam by at least ten summers, she was the Sutherland Clan healer, and over the years Ma had lived at Balnagown Castle, their aunt had been reluctant to visit.She sent the occasional message to her sister and remarked that she was not comfortable leaving Dornoch, lest a tragedy occur, and she was not there.Apparently, there was no other healer at the castle that her aunt trusted.

She’d told the lasses she intended to train them in the healing arts so they could take her place when she grew old.The lasses had taken one look at Aunt Dorathia and decided she was already old and might die before they were able to do any sort of training.

“Do not be afraid, Sister,” Jena said.“We will be together and even though Aunt looks old, she seems to have a good heart.”She gave her a hug.“All will be well.I promise.”

Helena, generally the sister who saw sunshine and happiness everywhere as opposed to Jena who saw doom and gloom, this switch in their outlooks was almost amusing.

“Are we ready, lasses?”Aunt Dorathia had entered the cottage and smiled at them.

“Yes, Aunt,” Jena said.“Helena and I are all packed.”

One of the escorts stepped into the small room and took the two satchels and tied them to his horse.He pointed at Jena.“Ye will ride with me.The little one will ride with Boyd.”He waved in the general direction of a mon sitting atop a verra large horse.

Helena swallowed.“Aye.”

In all her eight summers, she’d ne’er ridden a horse before, and was ashamed to be so frightened that she almost bolted back to the cottage.But she would no’ disgrace the Ross Clan, Jena, and Aunt Dorathia, so she took a deep breath and moved toward the animal.

As the party of warriors, Aunt Dorathia, Helena, and Jena left the castle grounds, their horses sounding like drums as they galloped away, Helena looked back at the only home she’d ever known.

***

April, 1661

Dun Ugadale

That memory from so many years ago—twelve to be exact—stayed with Helena Ross the entire trip from Dornoch Castle to Dun Ugadale, on the McKintyre Peninsula where she had hoped to arrive in time to assist at the birth of Jena’s first bairn.

She was excited to be an aunt, but sorry that she would not see the lass or lad grow up.Her duties at Dornoch Castle kept her busy, and although she had begged Aunt Dorathia many times to start training another healer, she always waved her off.

“No need to.Ye are doing a wonderful job and soon I will be able to hand it all o’er to ye and take a rest in my older years.”

Arguing that once Aunt retired from her duties that the castle would only have one healer, she again dismissed her concerns.“Ye are young, lass.Ye have many years to train another healer.”

There were times when she felt trapped by those words.No mon that had approached her seemed suitable for a husband, but with her duties at Dornoch there was no chance of her meeting a mon from another clan that she hoped would warm her heart.She kenned it was foolish, but Jena had found her true love, why not her?

She’d been truly heartbroken when Jena had fallen in love with a Mackay warrior, married quickly, and left.Since Jena had never taken to healing or midwifery, preferring to spend her time knitting the numerous warm clothing the clan members needed, there was no loss to Aunt Dorathia when Jena married and moved to Dun Ugadale.

Helena had spent many a night wishing her sister had married a Sutherland.There had certainly been enough men interested in her sister, but like Helena, she ne’er returned the interest.

“What do ye think of yer first glimpse of the best brooch in the Highlands?”Hamish, one of the men who’d escorted her to Dun Ugadale rode up alongside her, drawing her attention back to the present.

“’Tis lovely.Verra strong.”

“Aye, ‘tis strong and bold.”He winked at her.“Just like me.”