Page 21 of Never Fall for a Highlander

“Apparently she was right on this one.In fact, I think she’s probably right on most things.She’s a verra intelligent woman.”

Robin growled and went to stand up and looked at his brother.“What are ye doing here?Aren’t ye supposed to be at the lists?”

“I was at the lists.The day is o’er and I just came to check on yer sorry arse.”

“I doona need checking on.I’m a grown mon, a warrior, and have that annoying lass flitting about me all the time giving orders.To me, the laird!”

Finn burst out laughing.“Annoying lass, eh?I doona think ye find her so annoying.When she’s in the room ye can’t keep yer eyes off her.”

“Aye, cause I doona ken what she’s going to stick me with, or order me to do.Ach, go get yer supper and stop bothering me.Have a serving lass bring me some food.I doona want to limp into the great hall like a pathetic old mon.”

Still laughing, Finn left the solar and walked down the stairs.Robin felt like a deflated wineskin.He did little more than stare out the window until his food arrived.

It helped restore some energy, but after only another hour, he gave in to his body’s urge to rest, left the solar and walked to his bedchamber.He opened the door and the first thing he saw was Helena sound asleep on the hard, wooden chair next to his bed, her head bent at an angle that was sure to give her neck problems for the next few days.

He turned and slid the bolt on the door and walked quietly across the room.He picked her up and laid her gently on the bed.He bent and kissed her forehead.“Doona think this counts as the kiss ye owe me.”

Then, despite his best intentions, leaving all his clothes on, he walked to the other side of the bed and crawled onto its softness.

The last thought on his mind was that he had trulylosthis mind, and wondered what sort of funeral his brothers would plan for him after Helena woke up and found them together in bed.

Chapter nine

Helena came out of a wonderful dream and snuggled farther into the warmth coming from her right side.She sighed deeply and returned to sleep.

Sometime later she awoke again with the same warmth surrounding her, but when she moved her hand, she felt stiff clothing.Unsure where she was, she opened her eyes and looked around the room.It was the laird’s room and she was in his bed.

She turned and gasped at the mon lying alongside her, his head resting on his hand, propped up on his bent elbow.Smiling at her!Her skirts caught in her legs as she made to jump from the bed tumbling her, so she landed on her arse on the floor.

Placing her hands on the floor behind her, she glared at the mon who continued to smile.“What…” She shook her head to clear her mind.“What are we doing together in yer bed?”

He shrugged.“Sleeping.”

She covered her mouth with her hand.“I am disgraced!My reputation is ruined!”

Mackay stared at her on the floor, his eyes twinkling with mirth.“Nay.No one kens ye were here all night.”

“All night!The Saints preserve us.”

He leaned over the edge of the bed and offered her a hand to pull her up.She rose and stood, rather than climbing back into the bed.The bed!Bluidy hell, she spent the night in bed with the laird!”

“How did this happen?I remember sitting in the chair there, trying to get comfortable.Jena and the bairn were sleeping so I dinna want to go to my cot in their room and disturb them.”

Mackay patted the bed.“Sit down, ye’re giving me a crick in my neck.If ye consider damage has already been done, then there’s no reason why ye need to stand five feet away from me.”

Realizing he spoke the truth, she gingerly sat on the bed.“Suppose someone came in during the night?”

He shook his head.“Nay.I bolted the door before I placed ye on the bed.Ye were in such a position in that chair that I kenned ye would be stiff as a board this morning.”

“Ye could have woken me and sent me on my way.”

He nodded.“Aye.I could have done that, but I kenned ye would end up dealing with the bairn and ye needed sleep.”

She lifted her chin and glared at him.“I can decide when I need sleep.I do no’ need a nursemaid.”

He didn’t answer her but continued to watch her with a slight smile on his face, then said, “Ye should be congratulating me for no’ strippins us bare.I find it quite uncomfortable to sleep in clothes.”

“God’s toes!I should be grateful for that?Do ye think anyone will believe that?Supposed someone tried to enter and then knocked on the door?”