Page 13 of Never Marry a Highlander

“Aye.Sometimes I am verra hungry and other times I feel as though if I eat one bite I will bring it all up.”

Craig shifted and rested his foot on his knee.“I remember when I had sweating sickness.No’ something I’d want to have again.”

It was quite pleasant between them.She seemed less sharp-tongued when she was sick.Mayhap he could arrange for her to be sick more often.When he re-thought that he realized if she was continually sick, he’d never get her into bed to do anything except nurse her.

They chatted amicably while she ate.Then he sat her by the hearth so she could brush her hair.“I will be back after I eat to see ye settled.”As he opened the door, he said, “Agnes also sent up a healing potion for ye to take.I’ll give it to ye when I return.”

“Where have ye been?”Giles asked as he walked up to him.

“In hell.”

“What?”

“No’hing.Doona fash yerself.I’m hungry and I also need a mug of whisky.”

Giles studied him and shrugged.They both headed to the table.Giles had already eaten, so he sat with Craig as he ate, and then followed with a mug of whisky, and lots of conversation so he could delay his return to his bedchamber until Lorena was asleep.

***

Lorena sat brushing her hair, beginning to feel weak again.Having Craig help her with her bath had no’ been pleasant.First she was embarrassed at him stripping her out of her clothes and lifting her into the bathtub.

He seemed a bit nervous himself.Although she was quite sure naked women were not something new to him.He was kind and considerate.She was reluctant to have a kind and considerate husband.She certainly didn’t want another husband like the one she had before, but she didn’t want to fall in love with a man who she was married to and had control over her.Those days have passed.

She was fighting her illness, otherwise she would have no problem pushing him away.She had to be stronger.What she wanted was for him to leave so she would be safe from making a fool of herself and loving a man who would one day disappoint her.If not with his fists, then most likely with another woman.

She’d learned a little bit about Craig MacKay when she’d visited Dun Ugadale as David was trying to match up her and the MacKay laird.She saw how the lasses fell all over him, giving him looks.No doubt once he had her in his bed, he would grow bored and eventually find other women.

When David told her that Robin MacKay had signed the betrothal agreement, she was not happy, but not as angry as she was when her brother agreed to have Craig take the laird’s place.He was a man who liked the lasses, and he them.She had no desire to be made a fool of by a wandering husband.

Her hair was dried, and she was feeling quite sleepy when Craig returned to the bedchamber.She might as well begin her campaign to put up a wall between them.She straightened her shoulders.“Why are ye still here?”

He stopped in his tracks and looked at her.“What do ye mean?”

“I thought ye would return to yer duties at Dun Ugadale.I’m sure the laird needs ye.”

He placed his hands on his hips, stretching his leine over his muscular chest, separating the flaps at the neck to reveal some of the dark curly hair that she knew led to a very interesting place.But she could not let that distract her from her intention to drive him away.

He began to remove his clothes.“I sent a message to Robin when ye first fell sick.He kens I will return when ye are better.”

She waved him off and returned to bed.“Ye doona need to stay here and treat me like a bairn.There are servants to assist me.”

“Aye.Like the one who showed up to help ye with yer bath.”

She tugged up the bedclothes and stared at him.“I could have done it by myself.”

“Whatever is wrong with ye, wife?Ye could hardly stand when I entered the bedchamber before.If ye did yer own bath, there is a good chance we’d be planning yer funeral.”

She waved her hand in dismissal.“Well, I’m ready to go to sleep now, so ye can leave.”

“Whate’er is wrong with ye, lass?I plan to sleep here just as I have since we married.”

She sniffed and raised her chin.“I prefer to sleep alone.I ne’er asked ye to sleep here.”

He began to yank off his boots.“Did ye drink the healing potion Agnes sent up for ye?”

Why did he have to be so nice?Why did he have to care about her?She wanted him—if not out of her life—at least out of her home.Craig MacKay was a man too easy to fall in love with.

Once he was stripped of his clothing, he walked to the other side of the bed and climbed in.“I am tired Lorena.I doona wish to argue with ye.I worked hard at the lists today and need my sleep.”

“Ha!Strong warrior.Worn out by a day at the lists.”She turned away from him.“I guess the MacKay men aren’t as strong as the Gunns.”

He growled and she smiled.Her plan had started.She would drive him away and be left in peace with no threat from David with Craig’s warning to never touch her again.

Satisfied, she closed her eyes and immediately images of Craig helping her bathe, and making sure she took her healing potion brought twinges to her stomach.

It was surely the sweating sickness.