Page 40 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Fourteen

Despitebeingwornoutfrom the three times they’d made love the night before, Craig was restless and didn’t get much sleep.He hated to think the reason for his unease was leaving Lenora at Dun Ugadale while he traveled to the border.This was what he’d always planned if he took a wife.She would live her life; he would live his.

Lenora had cuddled up next to him all night long, and while she seemed to sleep well, there was a time or two that she whimpered, almost seeming as if she was having a bad dream.

He finally rose, washed, and dressed.The men who were traveling with him would all meet in the great room where they would share a breakfast of bread, cheese and ale before heading to the border.

He strapped hisclaidheamh moronto his back, then his bow and quiver over his shoulder.He was ready to leave and was hesitant about waking Lenora.She knew he was leaving early, so she wouldn’t be surprised to see him gone.He studied her for a minute then turned and left the room.

The dozen men who were travelling with him had already assembled and were busy eating and drinking.He grabbed some warm bread and cheese and poured himself an ale.

Robin entered the room and sat next to Craig.“I want to see if the Sinclairs are actually stepping over our border or possibly the Gunns.”

Craig let out a low whistle.“After our agreement with Gunn you think he might still be raiding our border?”

His brother leaned back in his chair and sipped an ale.“I have a sense that all is not right with David Gunn.I doona trust a mon who beats his womenfolk to get his way.Also, I ken Da never trusted the Gunn’s father.”He shrugged and took another sip.“’Tis just a feeling.I only tell ye this because I want ye to be on the lookout for any Gunns that show up while ye’re riding the border, acting friendly and helpful.”

Finn was not there because he was leaving the next day to meet with the Sutherland laird to discuss concerns about their joint border.Craig pushed back from the table and stood, he and his brother clasping forearms.

“All right, men, ‘tis time to ride.”He strode from the building and entered the stable.The horses had been readied and the dozen men going with him mounted and waited for Craig to move to the front.With a wave of his arm, they set out of the barmkin, then through the portcullis, over the drawbridge and the path leading them to their destination.

‘Twas a cool day, with Fall stealing away the greenery and turning the leaves to golden orange and yellow.‘Twas only a two day trip to where they were to settle for a while and keep an eye on the border and whoever shows up to visit.

Normally on his rides to assignments, he’d spend the time thinking about the lass he’d swived the night before and what plan he’d worked out to take care of his assignment the best way.

Today, however, all he could think about was Lorena.Not just their time the night before, her silky skin and womanly curves.Aye, he enjoyed her body probably more than any other woman he’d been with.But ‘twasn’t just that.Lorena had begun to crawl under his skin.

When she’d taken care of him when he was sick, she showed another side to herself.Aside from her sharp tongue, there were times when he saw the frightened, unsure of herself lass who used her bluster to keep anyone from knowing the frightened one inside.

He sighed.Now he was thinking like a love-sotted lad.His real concern was how she and Helena would get on while he was gone.‘Twas almost impossible for Lorena not to have feelings about Helena.Even if Lorena had not cared to marry, it had to hurt to some extent that Robin was willing to suffer insulting her brother by sending him in Robin’s place.

Hopefully, he and the men would not be gone long this time.He chuckled to himself.When he first married his wife and they argued so much he was very interested in an assignment far from home and lengthy.

Not so much now.

“MacKay, ye’re scowling like ye’d like to run yer dirk across someone’s neck.Who has ye scowling so?”Gre’gor MacKay one of the men in his group road up to him, a smirk on his face.

Craig laughed.“No one.I was just doing some heavy thinking.”

“About yer lass?”

Craig growled.“Nay.There is no need to think about my wife.She is back at Dun Ugadale taking care of what she is supposed to and I’m here doing of my job.”

“I just wondered because when yer brother married Helena, all of a sudden he found numerous excused to stay close to the brooch.”

“I am no’ my brother.”Craig kicked the sides of his horse and rode to the front of the group.

***

Lorena rolled over in the bed, wondering why she was so chilly.She reached for Craig’s warm body and met a cool sheet.She sat up and looked around the room.He wasn’t there.A quick glance at the patch of sky coming in through the bottom of the window shutter reminded her that since the sun was up Craig had intended to leave at first light.‘Twas now probably the twelfth light.Sighing, she pushed the bedcovers aside and swung her legs over the side of the bed.‘Twas no wonder she was chilly.She’d slept all night without her shift.All she needed was Craig’s body next to her to stay warm and comfortable all night.

She groaned as she stood, very sore between her legs from all the frantic and passionate love making the night before.She might as well cling to the memory, even if it involved pain because she knew not when the next time she would lay with her husband.

She had never asked him how serious the situation was that he was headed to.Was there a chance he would be injured?Killed, even?She shuddered at the thought.Not that she cared enough for the man to worry about his welfare, ‘twas just that she knew David would push another husband on her if Craig died.

Stop fooling yerself, lass.Ye care about Craig MacKay and would be upset if he left this earth.Admit it!

Pushing that uncomfortable thought aside, she washed, dressed and headed to the great hall.Robin sat at the table with Helena next to him.Although he was speaking to Finn on his other side, his hand covered Helena’s on the table.