Page 38 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Helena was attending to one of the young warriors who got too close to the man he was training with.The poor lad looked no more than sixteen summers.He grimaced as she pulled the catgut through his skin to close up the wound.It didn’t look too bad, and with his youth, he would probably be back on the lists in a few days.

‘Twas nearing the evening meal and Helena was quite hungry.She had been visiting her patients with Aline for training most of the day, so they’d been away from the keep during the noon meal.One of the thoughtful families offered them some bread and cheese.She hated taking food from them since they didn’t appear to have much for all the bairns they had running about.

She felt much better after cleaning up in her room with warm water before she took a quick visit with her sister.It had turned out that of late, most of her time had been spent seeing to those who needed care while training Aline at the same time.

Jena was out of bed when Helena arrived in her room.Wee Arthur was sound asleep and his mam looked much better.“It appears ye’ve been getting more sleep, sister.”

“Aye.The wee lad sleeps at least half the night and most times once I feed him he goes back to sleep.”

“That’s good.Things are definitely improving.”

It was apparent she was no longer needed by her sister.‘Twas probably time to think about returning home.‘Twas strange, but she felt more at home here than she had at Dornoch.She’d always been ‘that Ross girl’ growing up and didn’t really receive any acknowledgement until she had started helping Aunt Dorathia with her healing.

Being near her sister had done a lot for her.She didn’t realize how much she missed her until they were together again.‘Twould be very hard to leave her once more.Rather than upset Jena who looked very much the happy and content mam, she fought down the tears that threatened to release themselves on her cheeks.

Jena wrapped a shawl around her body and tucked the sleeping bairn into it, leaving her arms free.“Now I can join ye for supper.”

They made their way downstairs.Everyone made a fuss over the little one, and by the glow on Jena’s face, she was quite pleased with their attention.Blair came in from the lists and headed straight to his family.He put his arm around Jena’s shoulders and took a peek at his son.“How is my little mon today?”

For a moment, Helena had such a feeling of emptiness it almost doubled her over.Would she ever have that sort of happiness?No one at Dornoch had appealed to her enough to marry.But then, with her healing duties most of the men she saw were in pain and needed soothing, not love and passion.

She and Jena made their way to a table with the clan folk they usually shared their evening meal.After cleaning himself up, Blair chose to sit with the warriors since he said they’d had things to discuss.

“Helena.”

She turned to see Robin standing behind her.

When she made to stand, he placed his hand on her shoulder.“Nay.Do no’ rise.I just wanted to ask if ye can take a walk around the keep after we eat.‘Tis a fairly nice evening.”

She tried to keep the heat from rising to her face but failed.“Certainly, my laird.”

He gave her a lopsided smile that she knew was because she was being so formal.“I will see ye after the meal.”

Jena fussed with the bairn, most likely to give Helena time to compose herself.The others at the table had resumed eating and Helena took a deep breath and began to eat the wonderful-smelling stew with the fresh bread.

A while later, they sat chatting with the others in the group when Robin approached the table.“Are ye ready, Miss Ross?”

Helena stood and nodded.

He took her elbow and they walked to the front of the great hall and down the steps to the bailey.She noticed a few raised eyebrows among those in the great hall to which Robin seemed oblivious.

“What did you wish to speak with me about?”

He remained quiet for a minute or two and then guided her close to the castle wall, out of sight of the guards.“First, this.”He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, gently at first, then with more passion as he teased her mouth open and took complete possession.

Helena matched him this time, tangling with his tongue as he pulled her closer, his hands moving down her back, cupping her bottom.She rubbed an area of her body that had begun to ache against him and could feel the length and hardness of his member.

Robin glanced up and then moved them closer to a dark corner and turning her around so he blocked her, he pulled her top and chemise down, revealing her breasts to his eyes.Instead of embarrassment, she was pleased with the look in his eyes.

Her body seemed to catch on fire and the area between her legs grew warm and moist.

“Ye are so beautiful.”

Gently, he touched her skin and closed his eyes with a sigh.“Ye are so soft and warm.”He leaned in once again and took her mouth in a searing kiss, telling her without words how much he desired her.

Helena wrapped her arms around his waist and moved her mouth in rhythm with his.Robin linked his fingers under her bottom and lifted her.“Wrap yer legs around me,mo chridhe.”

My heart.Did he mean it or was he merely murmuring words a man would say to any woman at a time like this?