Page 35 of Never Marry a Highlander

Once she was settled with her tea and oatcakes with butter and honey, she caught the eye of the lass Maude had called Kerry.“I am Lenora, Craig’s wife.”

The lass dipped her head.“Aye, we kenned he was marrying.”She grinned.“There were a few lasses who dinna care for that news.”

That was a problem Lenora had pushed to the back of her mind.At one time she was concerned about being married to Craig because when she’d been here before, she’d noticed that Craig seemed to have an eye for the lasses and they for him.

Another lass, next to Lenora, leaned over and spoke softly.“My name is Eileen, and I doona think ye have anything to fash yerself about.I’ve known Mister Craig for a long time.He is an honorable mon.I’m sure now that he is married, the lasses will no longer interest him.”

Finally, a bright spot in her time so far at Dun Ugadale.She enjoyed her oatcakes, and the familiar smells and noises of the kitchen warmed her.When she lived at Clyth Castle, she had spent time in the kitchen with their cook, which is how she learned enough to fix the fish and rabbit when she and Craig were camping on their trip.

“Yer husband is asking for ye.”Helena entered the kitchen and smiled at Lenora.She placed the cloth she used to wipe Craig down into a bucket that was apparently for the laundress.

“Let the lass finished her oatcakes,” Maude said.

“Of course,” Helena said, “I dinna notice ye were eating.I’m sure Craig can wait until ye’re finished.”She smiled again and Lorena wanted to take all that cheer and…

She was happy to see Helena leave the kitchen.She knew she would have to speak with the woman and see what duties she planned for her sometime soon.What would make her happy was to work in the kitchen, although that would probably not be allowed as the wife of the laird’s brother.

But then, Helena was the laird’s wife, and she apparently ran around the clan fixing everyone up.She popped the last of the oatcake into her mouth and stood.“Thank ye verra much for the delicious oatcakes.”She walked over to Maude.“I have a way to fix oatcakes with a bit of cinnamon.”

The cook smiled at her.“Do ye now?That sounds verra interesting.Mayhap I’ll have ye show me how to do it.”

“Actually, I like working in the kitchen.I would enjoy showing ye how to do it.”When Maude looked interested, she continued, “I have some other ways to fix meat pies and apple tarts.”

“Well, lass, I can certainly use more hands in the kitchen, especially the cooking kind.Why doona ye speak with Helena and see if she can spare ye to help out here?”

Her happiness was dimmed by the mention of getting Helena’s permission, but despite how annoyed she had grown with the woman since her arrival, she had to admit that aye, the woman was caring and kind.And there truly had been nothing to dislike the woman for.‘Twas only everyone else telling her how wonderful Helena was that had put a thorn in her side.

She arrived at their bedchamber and entered the room.Craig laid still, his chest moving up and down.She grew closer to him, and he must have sensed her, because he opened his eyes.“There ye are.I thought ye deserted me.”

“Nay.I just went down to break my fast.”

He reached his hand out.“Come closer.”

She settled alongside him on the side of the bed.“How are ye feeling?”

“Hot.Achy.Ready to leave this bed.”

“I doona think that will be anytime soon.Remember, I was sick for more than a week.”

He waved his hand.“Yer a woman.”

She glowered at him.“I thought we established that on our trip here.I doona see what being a woman has to do with having sweating sickness.”

“I doona wish to argue with ye.”He took her hand and ran his finger over her knuckles.“I think we had enough arguments on our way here.”

As much as she hated to again agree with him, she nodded.The trip had been more exhausting because they were constantly arguing over silly things.

“Do ye ken where Robin will send ye when ye’re better?”

“No’ yet.Things change all the time, so what needs surveillance this week might no’ need it next week.”He drew circles on her hand.“Are ye hoping I am gone for a long time?”

She huffed.“I thought ye were the one to ask Robin to send ye away for along time.”

He laughed.“Aye, I did, dinna I?”

She thought for a minute, wondering if it was a good idea.Mentally shrugging she said, “I think I’m going to work in the kitchen.”

“Helena said that was all right?”