Page 24 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Craig stood and grinned at his brother.“I’m on my way, my laird.”With a nod he left the keep.

Robin waved to the serving lass to re-fill his ale mug.The warriors who had been breaking their fast started to drift out to the lists.Helena hurried down the stairs and headed to the kitchen.Most likely to get some food for Jena.

He studied her as she walked away.She was definitely a bonnie lass.And as Craig mentioned, intelligent, too.He’d also found her to be kind and considerate, but most of all, he enjoyed how easily it was for him to rile her up.When her green eyes start to flash and her little chin sticks out, he kens he’s up for a good time.

‘Twas too bad he was forced by his position to marry someone who would benefit the clan.Not only an alliance, but whatever wealth the woman could bring with her.He should probably stop thinking about the healer and look at a few of the offers the Clan Council has been pushing at him.

He intended to do more work in his solar, but was unhappy to note his energy level which was normally quite high, had left him.Just then Helena came from the kitchen, but wasna carrying a tray of food.She looked up at him and a slight smile came to her face.Then she scowled, most likely remembering she was angry with him.

To his surprise, she didn’t go upstairs, but headed in his direction.He laid his forearms in front of him on the table and smiled.“Good morn, lass.”

She sniffed and stood rigid.“Good morn.”She looked around and lowered her voice.“Although I believe we already did this.”

“I’m afraid ye are no’ going to get an apology from me.Ye needed the sleep and from what I’ve seen, ye aren’t getting much of it.”He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.“Why are ye staying in Blair’s room?It must be quite crowded with him, Jena and now the little one in there.”

Helena shrugged.“That was where Jena put me when I first arrived.In truth, I do find it crowded and I must admit I doona care for sharing a room with a husband and wife.”

“And a wailing bairn.”He thought for a moment.“I will ask one of the maids to see that another room is cleaned up for ye.Near yer sister, but no’ too close.”

“Thank ye.”She went to walk away and turned back.“I forgot the reason I came o’er here was to ask ye to stop in yer bedchamber before ye go to yer solar so I can have a look at yer wound.”

He dismissed her with a wave.“No need.I’m sure ‘tis all healed.”

She put her hands on her hips and glared at him.Already he was beginning to smile.

“Ye are no’ all healed.I need to see how the wound is doing.”She wagged her finger at him.“I told ye before I willna sew ye back up if ye tear the stitches out.”

He drew himself up, wanting to add more fuel to the fire.“I am yer laird.I tell ye what to do, ye doona tell me what to do.”

She leaned forward, no’ in the least concerned, when any one of his warriors would be sweating right now.“And I am yer healer.And as such I tell ye what to do when it comes to yer health.”

Robin held in his grin.“Ye are dismissed, lass.”

Helena turned in a huff and headed back across the room to the stairs.The devil take it, but the lass had a fine bottom.

* * * *

Helena finished cleaning up and changing Arthur’s nappy.As mad as she’d been at the laird for allowing the two of them to sleep in the same bed all night, she had to admit she hadn’t felt this energetic since Jena had told her she was having pains.

”Here ye are, little mam,” Helena said as she handed the sweet little bairn to Jena.“Yer lad is hungry.”

Jena took the bairn from her arms and smiled.“He is a sweet little one.But always hungry.”

“From what I’ve seen in my healing work, yer lad will be hungry forever.I’m truly amazed at how much food a young boy can eat in a day.”

A soft knock on the bedroom door drew their attention.Helena went to the door and opened it.A young maid stood there.“Miss Ross, the laird has asked me to show ye to yer new bedroom.”

“Yes, Thank ye.”She turned to Jena.“I will be back momentarily.”

“Why would the laird want to give ye yer own room?”Jena’s brows almost reached her hairline.

God’s bones!After being missing all night and now the laird giving her a bedroom of her own, she kenned precisely what Jena was thinking.“Nay.He just offered because ‘twas crowded in here.”

Her sister made no comment, but continued to stare at her.With a quick smile—hopefully not a guilty one—she left the room and followed the maid.

To her relief the room was in the opposite direction from the laird’s bedchamber.It was a small, but pleasant room.The bed was just the right size for her and looked very comfortable.“This is quite nice, thank you for showing me.”

The lass smiled at her.“I need to return to my duties.The laird said as the clan healer, ye needed a better room.”She was gone in a flash and Helena was left to ponder the lass’s words.The clan healer?Surely the mon understood she was here for the purpose of helping her sister, and had no intention of remaining here as their healer.She was needed at Dornoch.Aunt Dorathia wanted to step back from her duties and have Helena take over the healing for the Sutherland Clan.