Page 3 of Never Fall for a Highlander

The lass nodded and left them.

“After you’ve had yer drink, I will bring ye to our room,” Jena said as she linked arms with her sister, seeming unable to keep from touching her.My husband and I lived in a bothy close to Village of Tongue, but when he was offered the position of training the new warriors, the laird gave us a room in the keep.‘Twas quite a surprise since there are so many brothers and sisters that I dinna believe there would be room for us.”

“Brothers and sisters?”

“Oh my, yes,” Jena said.“There’s Craig, Finn, Mairi and Kendra.”

Miriam returned with two mugs of ale.

“Tell me a little bit about married life,” Helena said as she took a healthy swallow of the ale.The entire time they traveled, she’d been thirsty.

Jena blushed.She had apparently assumed Helena was asking about the intimate part of marriage.“Well, it was verra different from what Dorathia told us.”Jena shook her head.“I misspeak.Dorathia did tell us a great deal of correct information, but what she left out was the amazing part of the…you know.”Her sister blushed brighter.

Helena caught Jena’s embarrassment and to her dismay she began to blush herself.

They finished their drinks after more chatting about how things were back at Dornoch Castle, then Jena rose.“Come, I’ll bring you up to our room.There is a small space in the corner that Blair has set off with a curtain so you can have some privacy.”

After Helena fetched her satchel, they started up the stairs.Feeling a bit panicked, she said, “I can’t stay in the same room with ye and yer husband.I mean, donna ye and him…ye ken.”

Jena laughed and shook her head.“No more right now.‘Tis too cumbersome and Blair is afraid he will hurt the bairn.”Catching on to her sister’s uneasiness, she said, “’twill be fine, and I will be verra happy to have ye there in the room once the bairn comes.”

Helena had blushed more since her arrival at Dun Ugadale then she’d had for the past year.Although as a midwife she kenned that martial intimacies were not encouraged near the end, she didn’t want to listen to her sister and her husband whispering and cuddling in the night.But since the arrangements had already been made, she said nothing.

The room was a fairly good size, and the curtain that hung in the corner would provide her with privacy.She just wished she could have slept somewhere else.

“I think ye should rest before supper since ye are probably worn out from the journey.”

Helena did, in fact, feel quite weary from the days of travel and the poor sleep she’d gotten from the uncomfortable ground she’d slept on.Her escorts did provide her with a certain amount of privacy and tried to make the places they slept not too terrible, but she still felt a short lie-down before supper would be a good idea.

“Yes, I believe ye are right, Jena.I think a bit of a nap would be a good thing.”

Jena led her over to the area behind the curtain.Helena was happy to see a small mattress on the floor that would be perfect for her needs.Jena gave her a hug—as best she could—and said, “I am so happy ye are here.I’ve missed ye so much.”

When Helena looked upset as Jena used the back of her hand to wipe her wet cheeks, she said, “Doona pay attention to me.I’ve been weeping for months now.”

Helena rubbed her sister’s shoulder.“’Tis normal, Sister.”

Sniffing, Jena turned and left Helena to have a much needed rest.

Chapter two

Robin Mackay, Laird of Clan Mackay, rode into the outer bailey of Dun Ugadale and leapt from his horse, Barclay.One of the stable lads jogged out to meet him.“Greetings, Laird,” the lad said.

Robin nodded.“Take good care of Barclay, he’s had a long ride.”

The lad smiled at the horse and led him into the stable.

The three other warriors who had accompanied their laird arrived at the outer court and jumped from their horses.Another lad came up and took their steeds.

Robin continued to the steps leading to the keep.His focus was completely on the fact that he would most likely lead a larger group of warriors to the Gunn border in the morning since it appeared the Gunn Clan was doing a bit more pilfering along the border between the Gunns and the Mackays then what he could overlook.

He cursed the need to do that since he had problems to solve with his own clan and dinna have the time to deal with the Gunn thievery.He nodded at the several clanfolk that greeted him as he continued into the keep.

Supper was just being served as he entered the room.He took his place at the dais and greeted his siblings with a quick smile.He glanced around the room and his attention was immediately taken with a woman who sat next to Blair’s wife.She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldna remember when he’d seen her before.

Then within an instant, he remembered Helena Ross from the Sutherland clan.She was the sister Blair had requested an escort for.She was a bonnie lass, dark brown hair, green eyes, with a very curvy body that he wouldna mind running his hands over.Her pretty face was made even bonnier by dimples in both cheeks and a scattering of light freckles across her nose.

He and Helena had shared a few words and dances at Blair’s and Jena’s wedding.He found her interesting, but anything further was dashed when he was summoned from Ugadale to return immediately.