Page 29 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Eleven

IfCraighadhopedthe last day of their journey would be any better than the day before, ‘twas not to be.He and Lorena found more to bicker about than they had the entire trip.

He accused her of being careless.

She accused him of being arrogant.

He pointed out that she forced them to make unnecessary stops.

She pointed out that he had no idea how a woman’s body worked except how to tup it.

He criticized how she took care of her horse, obviously with no idea how ahorse’sbody worked.

She threatened to find poison plants, crush them and add them to his water.

He said he could not wait to arrive at Dun Ugadale so he would not have to see her again for a long while.

She said that would please her immensely.Especially if it was averylong while.

He said if she rode any slower, he could probably walk alongside her.

She said ‘twas a miracle that his poor horse didn’t collapse from the way he pushed it.

He said the trip would be better if she didn’t complain so much.

She said the trip would be better if he fell in a ditch.

By the time they arrived at Dun Ugadale they were not speaking, only glowering at each other.Craig was surprised to see the wagon and the rest of the men from their group approaching the brooch at the same time, however he was not in the mood to welcome them.

He and Lorena rode over the drawbridge and into the outer bailey.Robin and Helena stood together, arm-in-arm, with warm, welcoming smiles on their faces.

Craig jumped from his horse and strode over to Lorena.He reached up for her and with very little grace and ease, wrapped his hands around her waist and yanked her down from her horse.She pulled away from him, almost stumbling.

Craig shook his head and turned to Robin and Helena with a huge fake smile on his face.“We’re home!”

Lorena stomped her foot.“Nay.Ye are home, not me,Mister MacKay!”

Craig stormed up to Robin.“I want an assignment.At one of our holdings as far away from here as I can get.

Now.”

***

Lorena was both embarrassed and annoyed.Even though they spent the last two days bickering like two bairns, ‘twould be good manners to present her as his wife to the laird and his wife.Instead, the arrogant dimwit asked for an assignment far away.

For all her confidence and bluster, she was uncomfortable about once again meeting the man who rejected her and the woman he loved for whom he rejected her.

The laird frowned at Craig.“Brother, ‘twould be nice to bring yer wife forward and allow us to welcome her.”

He took a deep breath and reached for her hand.She tried to keep him from grasping it, hiding it in her skirts, but he grabbed her elbow and pulled her forward.

Robin and Helena glanced at each other, and Lorena was certain she saw poorly hidden laughter on their faces.

“’Tis good to see ye again, Lorena.Welcome to Dun Ugadale and Clan MacKay.”

There was absolutely no reason to take out her frustration with Craig on the laird, so she took a small dip and smiled.“Thank ye, my laird.‘Tis a pleasure to be here.”

Craig snorted behind her, and she stomped on his foot.He made a sharp sound and Helena winced.