Page 21 of Never Marry a Highlander

“That doesna mean I have to like it.”

“But there is no reason to take it out on me.I did my brother a favor, and ye a favor by stepping up into his place.I dinna want to marry, but I was willing to help out.‘Tis my intention to leave ye be in Dun Ugadale and do the travelling I normally do for my laird.”He leaned in close to her.“So doona trouble yerself that ye might be stuck with my company.”

With those words, he stomped off and she let out the breath she held.Everything he’d said was true.She’d always known whether to marry or not was not her choice, and who she married either.And it wasn’t Craig’s fault that he was stuck with her.If he wasn’t so very nice, she would not find it necessary to keep pushing him away.

She walked back to the log she’d been sitting on before as Edith passed out the food they’d brought from Clyth Castle.She cast furtive eyes on her and Craig.Most likely all the men in their group had heard their exchange as well.How many of them would have taken their fists to her had they been in Craig’s place?

She accepted the bread, cold meat and cheese from Edith and having missed breakfast, ate every bite.Craig sat with his men, discussing who knew what and Edith sat alongside her.A well-trained maid, she would never ask her lady what the problem was with Craig, which was just as well because she was sure Edith would think her dim-witted to treat the man so.

But Edith wasn’t the subject of numerous beatings over the years from men who thought they owned her and had the right to demand she do what they said, no matter how much she didn’t agree.How she longed for a life of her own.A small cottage with a vegetable and flower gardens and maybe a few chicken and goat or two.She could fish and even hunt, so she would be just fine without a man.

Until some brute stumbled upon +her peaceful little life and decided to destroy her and everything in it.She brushed the crumbs off her kirtle and stood.Hating herself for having to do it, she stiffened her shoulders and raised her chin as she walked over to Craig.“May I have an escort to the creek so I can wash my hands?”

Her husband nodded and waved to one of the guardsmen.Apparently, he was too annoyed with her to perform the duty himself.That was fine.‘Twas her plan, and it appeared it was working.But instead of feeling elated, why did she have a sense of losing something important?

***

The sun was almost settled for the night when Craig called a halt to the group.Lorena looked as though she was about to fall from her horse, but knowing her, if he even suggested she ride with him, she would offer a rebuff.He just didn’t understand why she was so hostile toward him.

Their lovemaking last night was one of the best he’d ever had.He felt a connection to her he’d never had before to any woman he’d bedded.He fell asleep feeling as though they had made a truce, and things would be pleasant between them from now on.

A huge mistake.

He knew she had to be sore between her legs since it had been so long since she’d been with a man.Also, he doubted if she’d ridden a horse this long very much.She’d traveled in a wagon on the ride from Clyth Castle to Dun Ugadale when they’d visited to arrange the betrothal agreement.

From what he’d heard, her husband had lived on Gunn land, in a very large home with a village next to him and farmers who paid him monthly rentals.‘Twas not a long ride from Clyth Castle to Avery’s home.

Most likely he’d received the land from Gunn in preparation for his marriage to Lorena.As if that lovely woman wasn’t enough to satisfy any man.

He instructed the men to build a fire and erect a tent for the two women.As much as wanted to sleep with Lorena again, ‘twas better to let the two women have the tent and he would sleep outside with the men.

“I will walk my wife and her maid to the trees so they can take care of their personal needs.Be sure to mix some oatcakes to go with the food that is left from earlier.”

Tomorrow they would have to do some hunting if they were to eat.He was an excellent archer and so were two others of his men.They should have no problem getting food for the group.

He walked over to Lorena and Edith who sat side by side.‘Twas a contest to see which lass looked worse.Even though the maid had ridden in the wagon, ‘twas no’ a pleasant ride over the bumps and dips.

“If ye want to take care of yerself, I will walk ye to the trees,” he waved in the direction behind them.

Both women stood and walked forward.He grabbed Lorena who stumbled slightly and wrapped his arm around her waist.Edith seemed to be in a tad better shape, so he let her be.

“I’m sure ye ne’er rode a horse this long before,” he said as she stumbled along, grabbing onto him.

Obviously too worn out to argue, she merely said, “Nay.”

He let them go once they reached the trees.He had a bad feeling that his wife would collapse before she could take care of her business.He called to them.“Doona worry about washing up.I will have a couple of the guards fetch water from the stream that ye can use.”

When there was no answer, he said, “Lorena?”

“Aye.I hear ye.”

When the women left the tree area, his sympathy arose for his wife.Being used to hard work, the maid looked better.Lorena limped, which he knew came from their lovemaking the night before and the long ride.Even though he knew she would object, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the camp.‘Twas proof of her sad condition that she rested her head on his chest and didn’t object.

He sent two of the guardsmen to fetch enough water for the women and sat Lorena back on the log.She glanced at the men fixing oatcakes and looked up at Craig.“I doona wish to eat.Once I’ve cleaned myself, I’m going to bed.”

He crouched down in front of her.“Ye have to eat to keep up yer strength.”

She began to shake her head when two tears slipped down her cheeks.“I am so verra tired.”