Page 4 of Never Fall for a Highlander

He sighed.There always seemed to be an emergency that needed his attention.He leaned over to Craig, his brother and second in command.“We need to gather a group of warriors on the morrow.I just returned from a visit with a small village on the border of Mackay and Gunn land.”

“Ach, so the Gunns are at it again?”

Robin nodded and took a sip of the mug of ale that had been placed before him.“Small thievery I can overlook, but according to the villagers, they’re starting to raid their homes, and one bothy was even set on fire.”

“Not good,” Craig said.“How many do you think?”

As second-in-command Craig would arrange for all the necessary men, horses, and any supplies they need to bring with them.

“Since we have no idea what we’re riding into let’s count on seventy-five or eighty.”Robin leaned back and his eyes moved to Helena Sutherland.“We’ll ride at first light, so after supper get the men chosen you want to take and have them get ready.”

Craig nodded and turned to his brother, Finn on his other side.Robin swilled the remaining ale in his mug and watched Helena.She was all bright spirit and smiles.She waved her arms around as she told those sitting near her a story.He was annoyed to see a few of his warriors watching her from their table.

He hoped her presence here was not going to cause problems among his men.A pretty girl, especially a new one, was known to start fights as each mon thought he would be the one to capture her eye.He’d have Craig speak with them tomorrow and warn them to keep their eyes and hands to themselves.As a clan guest, she was under his protection, and he had no intention of failing at that.

Helena glanced around the hall and caught his eye.He quickly began studying his empty mug, not wanting to get caught watching her.He glanced up quickly to see her smirk in his direction.He wasna sure if the heat that flowed through him had to do with his attraction to her, or her catching him looking her way.

He straightened in his chair and nudged Craig.“I’m retiring early.I have reports from the steward to go over before morning.See that all is ready for tomorrow.”

Craig grinned.The mon never took anything seriously.“I’ve ne’er let yet down yet, brother.”He looked across the hall and Robin kenned exactly who he was looking at.“Isna that Blair’s sister by marriage?”

“Who?”Robin said, and then felt foolish.“Ye mean Helena Ross?”

Craig watched him with a slow smile.“Aye.That’s the one.I’m thinking she’s a fine-looking lass.I just might stroll o’er there and re-introduce myself.”

Robin glared at his brother.“Ye will do no such thing.Ye have a trip to prepare for in the morn.”

“And ye said ye have work to do,” Craig responded.

Robin slapped Craig on the back of his head.“Get busy, or ye will lose yer position as second-in-command.”

Craig rose and started away from the table, heading toward the door.“No’ a chance of that brother.”

Since he was laird of the clan, ‘twas only good manners for Robin to welcome Helena to the clan.He strolled over in her direction.She was busy telling another story, having captivated the attention of all at her table.

“And then the wee lad came over to me, and before I could—”

Jena nudged her sister in the side and motioned toward the clan chief.

Helena turned and smiled.His insides tightened and once again he felt foolish.She cast him a questioning look, then said, “Good evening, my laird.I wish to thank ye for the escort ye sent and for allowing me to stay with my sister during this time.”

She was even more attractive when she cast those deep green eyes in his direction.Bluidy hell,he hoped he wasn’t blushing like some silly lad.

“Ye are welcome, Miss Ross.We are pleased that Jena has her sister nearby when her time comes.”

She smiled again and this time his lower parts took notice.“Please, laird, call me Helena.Miss Ross sounds so…”

“Old?”He said with a grin.

She smiled and looked at him in a most charming way.The lass was delightful, and if he wasna careful, he could find himself in trouble with her.She was a maiden and under his protection.It would be wrong for him to seduce her.He sighed inwardly.So many things were out of his grasp because of who he was.

“And good evening to ye, Jena.Ye are looking well.”He looked down at Blair’s wife and smiled.It was apparent the two lasses were related, but to his way of thinking, Helena was much prettier than her sister.

“Thank ye, my laird.I wish to offer my thanks also, that ye allowed Helena to visit.”

“She may visit any time she wishes,” he added.He was beginning to feel downright foolish with all this nonsense prattle going on.He nodded at the two lasses and left.

Robin spent a good two hours going over numbers and trying to make sure his crofters and farmers were paying their fees and supplying food to the brooch.He rubbed his eyes with his fists, thinking how little he’d kenned about how a clan is run and how to handle problems that arose.