Page 30 of Never Marry a Highlander

She gave her attention to Helena.“My lady, ‘tis a pleasure to see ye again.”

Helena walked forward and gave Lorena a hug.“We are glad ye arrived safely.Was the trip difficult?”

“Nay,” Craig said.

“Aye,” Lorena said at the same time.

Robin and Helena exchanged glances again.“Are ye hungry?We can have food and drink brought.”

“Aye,” Craig said.

“Nay,” Lorena said wishing to remove herself from their presence and retire to her bedchamber.

Craig glared at Lorena.“Aye, Helena, we are hungry.‘Tis been a long day and we only had one meal.”

Despite not wishing to agree with anything Craig said, she was indeed hungry, and if she woke in the middle of the night starving, she would be sorry she passed on the food.“Aye.I could use a bite,” she conceded.

They followed Helena and Robin into the keep, entering the great hall.Helena waved them to a seat and then hurried to the kitchen.Robin took the seat across from Craig, leaving the one next to her empty, most likely for his wife.

Just then Edith walked up to her and gave her a hug.“I’m so glad to see ye.When the two of ye disappeared during the battle I was afraid I’d ne’er see ye again.”She wiped a few tears that had fallen on her face.

“Nay.We are fine.We had to take shelter during the storm, so that’s why we’re now just arriving.I was worried about ye when we left, but Craig assured me that his men would protect ye.”

“Aye, they did.”

Helena returned to the great room and looked at Edith.

Lorena rested her hand on Edith’s arm.“This is Edith, my maid.She will be available for chores that ye might need her for.”

The perfect hostess smiled at Edith.“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye, Edith and welcome.If ye and the men have a seat, I am having food brought out for all of ye.”

Robin immediately drew Craig into a conversation about what had been going on during his absence.Her husband must have been more tired than she thought because he seemed to have a hard time concentrating on Robin’s words.

When the food arrived, she immediately filled her trencher, and although Craig put food in his, he only ate a little bit and then pushed it away.She looked at his face and there was a slight film of sweat.“Are ye unwell, Craig?”

“Nay.Just tired.”

“But ye were the one who asked for the food.”

He ran his hand down his face and looked at her and she knew immediately that he was sick.Christ’s toes, how could she be so joined with him that she could see what apparently no one else did?

“Are ye sure ye doona wish to eat some more?”Lorena spoke softly, not wanting to attract anyone’s attention.

He actually swayed on the chair.“Nay.I think I’m going to retire to our bedchamber.”

As he stood, he stumbled and finally got the attention of Robin and Helena.

“Ye are sick, Craig,” Helena said.

“Nay.Just tired.”

Helena left her chair and came around to his side, placing her hand on his shoulder.“What was Lorena suffering from when ye had to stay the extra time?”

“Sweating sickness,” Lorena said, still studying Craig.

“I believe ye may have caught it from yer wife,” the healer said.

Robin stood and wrapped his arm around his brother’s shoulder.“Off to bed with ye, lad.”