Page 43 of Never Fall for a Highlander

Finn placed his hand on Robin’s shoulder.“There is no reason to fight about this.Let’s have some food and ye’ll both feel better.”

The men trouped farther into the room to sit at a table with their warriors.

“ Nay, Mackay, join us at the dais.”Gunn stood behind him as Robin and his brothers settled in.

He tried not to look as annoyed as he felt and stood and walked with the laird to the dais.Of course, Lady Lenora was at the table, along with who Robin knew to be The Gunn’s brother and nephew.The Gunn and his wife had produced only one son, Knox, and one other who was a sickly lad who died before his second year.

With Gunn’s nudging, Robin took the seat next to Lady Lenora, whose right eye was swollen and black and blue.She winced as she turned toward Robin.“Good evening, Laird.Thank ye for joining us.”

Robin was appalled.She had been beaten.Since The Gunn didn’t seem surprised by this, he could only conclude that the laird had inflicted the harm to his sister.It took quite a bit of discipline not to question Gunn.Instead, he swallowed and smiled at the lass.“Good evening, Lady Lenora.”

Her hands shook as she raised her mug of ale.“I understand ye did quite well at the competition today.”

He had a hard time speaking with the lass, knowing she was being friendly because of the beating she had received.It took away any appetite he’d had.A man who took his fists to a woman or child was severely dealt with at his clan.No matter how angry he grew, he would never hit someone who was under his protection.

He noticed Lady Lenora’s hand continued to shake all through supper.She tried very hard to engage him in conversation, but he had to fight the urge to jump across the table and give The Gunn the beating he deserved.

Once they had finished their meal, Lady Lenora glanced at her brother and then turned to Robin.“Would ye care to take a walk in the garden, Laird?”

He had no choice.He had to find out what had happened to the lass, even though he was quite certain he already knew.“Of course, my lady.I would be honored to walk with ye in the garden.”

God’s toes.What was he to do now?

Chapter nineteen

Helena was torn.In her heart, she knew Robin cared for her and, given enough time together, he might even consider offering marriage.She knew the clan council was against it, but she also knew he was arguing with them about it.

All of this she’d found out from one of the maids who had been in the room when the argument had taken place.

But would Robin go against the council?As laird, it was his duty to marry well and forge alliances and connections.She’d known that growing up.Laird Haydon Sutherland had married the daughter of another laird, even though she had a twin sister who was supposed to marry him, but the lasses had switched at the last moment.

‘Twas true that Malcom’s brother Conall had married a village girl—one he was caught with in a dark stable, but he wasn’t the laird, so there was little problem with that match.

But Robin was the laird, and he had his duty.Then there was Lady Lenora, sister to a laird who the council was pushing to make a match with.She took a deep sigh.It was all so worrisome.

She decided the best thing she could do was pack her belongings so she could return to Dornoch once Robin arrived home and authorized an escort for her.

“Miss Ross, Miss Ross!”A young voice called to her through the door.She hopped up from the bed and hurried across the room.She opened the door to see a young lass who reached out and grabbed her hand.

“Ye must come.We need yer help, Miss Ross.”

Helena tugged back on the girl’s hand.“First of all, whatever you need me for, I can help you, but I must first know who you are and what the problem is.”

The lass looked up at her, dancing from one foot to another.“I am Lillian Mackay.My brother fell from a tree and is screaming his head off.My mam asked me to fetch ye since she can’t calm Kevin down long enough to bring him here.”

Helena patted the little one on the head.“Do no’ worry.I will grab the things I need and get yer brother all fixed up.How far do ye live from here?”

The lass waved her arm around.“A long way.”

A long way could be a furlong or ten to a child, so it would probably be best to take one of the horses.She turned from the door and went to the several baskets she used for her medicants.She filled one of them with things she thought she might need and wrapping a shawl around her shoulders, she took the lass’s hand they headed down the stairs.

The stablemaster brought out a horse that Helena had ridden once before.“Here ye go, lass.Bronwich here is a nice, gentle horse.”

She had him help her up onto the horse and once she was settled, she had him put Lillian in front of her.

“Where are ye going lass?”One of the guards from the rampart called down to her.

“I’m going to Lillian Mackay’s home to see about her brother who fell from a tree and hurt himself.”