Page 28 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Robin propped himself up on his elbow.“What is it, Craig?”

“I forgot to tell ye when I was here before that The Gunn said he is bringing his widowed sister with him.”

Chapter twelve

“I would appreciate it, if ye learned to knock on my bedchamber door before barging in, brother.”Robin pulled on a fresh leine since the other one had blood on it.Poor Helena had scurried out of the room so fast she almost knocked his brother over.

“It was ne’er a problem before.”Craig leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as he watched his brother tuck his leine into his trews and brush his hair.“And I warned ye before that ye’re looking for trouble.The Council would ne’er approve of ye taking Helena for a wife.”

“No one said anything about marriage.”Satisfied with his appearance and grateful that Helena left in such a hurry that she forgot to give him the threatened potion, he brushed past his brother and headed for the great hall.

That, however, didn’t stop Craig from following him, his nattering a continuous stream.“She is under yer protection here at Dun Ugadale.She is also connected with the Sutherland Clan.The Sutherland would no’ wish to have ye sending the lass back missing her virginity, or with a bairn in her belly.”

“I have no intention of tupping the lass.”

His brother had the nerve to burst out laughing.“Let me say this, brother.Ye have all the signs of doing just that and from what I just witnessed, ye are verra close.”He pointed his finger at him.“Stay away from her.”

Robin stopped and placed his hands on his hips.“I am yer laird.Ye doona tell me what to do.”

“’Tis as ye say, but as yer brother I can say anything, and I’m reminding ye to step back and take a look at what ye’er doing.And what ye’re doing to the lass.”

Not being a stupid man, he knew the impossible problem to what Craig referred.If he ruined the girl, it could lead to war between the Mackays and the Sutherlands.And he knew as well as Craig that the Council was looking to make a match with a clan that could provide coin and power.He rubbed his face as he entered the great hall for supper.

The room was filling up fast, since the warriors on the list had been dismissed and those who didn’t have a bothy with a wife and family were arriving for the meal.

Finn nodded as Robin took his seat.“I heard ye went against Helena’s advice an got yerself stabbed in the lists.”

God’s bones, was there no one at the clan who didn’t have some sort of criticism for him?They were all forgetting he was The Laird.He told them what to do, not the other way around.He’d always been too loose with his brothers and sisters and now he was paying the price.

“No’ that ‘tis any of yer business, but I ripped a stitch or two when Brendan swung his sword at me and I dinna duck quickly enough.Does that satisfy yer curiosity?”

Finn’s eyebrows rose.“Ach, ye’re in a mood tonight.Did Helena chastise ye?”

He slammed his mug down.“I doona want to hear anymore about Helena, do ye understand?”

Several of the clans folk sitting near the dais looked up at him.

Bluidy hell, he was beginning to feel smothered.Find a wife, doona touch Helena, we need an alliance, the healer would ne’er be accepted by the Council.

He began to eat his meal, ignoring everyone around him.

What, exactly, were his feelings for Helena?He found her attractive, hell, the woman was beyond bonnie.From what he could see, she had a body he would love to investigate.But Craig was correct, there was no place in his life for the lass.The Council would never approve of a match, and she was not a lass who would accept remaining here as his leman.Especially with the possibility of The Sutherland arriving at Mackay’s gates with swords drawn.

‘Twas best to stop the kissing.It was only torturing him, and mayhaps making an unspoken promise to Helena.She would not be here much longer, in fact, he would check with Blair soon to find out if he knew when she would be needing an escort back to Dornoch Castle.And then he would put her from his mind and try very hard to concentrate on doing his duty and selecting a bride from another clan who would be an acceptable wife.

That settled, he continued his supper.

Then the woman he was trying his best to push from his mind entered the great hall and headed straight for him.

* * * *

The last thing Helena wanted to do was speak with Robin.She was still mortified that Craig had caught them in the laird’s bed, with her sprawled all over him.She was afraid if he’d come a few minutes later, he would have witnessed a great deal more.This attraction to Robin must stop.She had a job to do back at the Sutherland Clan.

Still appalled about what had just happened with Robin, she visited her sister and suggested that mayhaps it was time for her to return to Dornoch.Unfortunately, her sister burst into tears and when Blair entered the room after leaving the list, he begged Helena to stay with Jena being so upset.So she agreed to, determined now that Robin was on the mend, there was no need for her to have to spend any time with him.

Yet here she was.

She stepped up to the dais and raised her chin.This was probably not the best place to speak with him, but she would not allow herself to be alone with the man.Ever again.