Page 41 of Never Marry a Highlander

If Robin had gone through the betrothed marriage with her, would he be as enamored?Would he gaze at her as he did Helena?Hold her hand as he spoke with his brother?

Not likely.

‘Twas time to stop feeling sorry for herself.So what if no man never loved her or even wanted her.She’d always been pushed aside and ignored, or beaten for having an opinion or refusing an order.

“Good morn,” she said to all three at the table.

Finn, Robin and Helena greeted her.She took the seat on the other side of Helena.She poured ale into her mug and took two boiled eggs and fried pork from the platter on the table.

“Are ye ready for another day of healing?”Helena asked.

She would love to respond with ‘do I have a choice,’ but ‘twas better to behave herself.With Craig not here to defend her if she got into a row with Helena, ‘twas best to simply smile and nod.

“We have a few stops to make in the village.Two lads have come to the castle since I awoke asking for me to visit their bothy.Both have mams who are no’ feeling well enough to even get out of their bed.I also have two women to stop by and see.One had a new bairn a couple of weeks ago and the other is due to deliver her bairn soon.”

“It does sound like a busy day,” Lorena said.Despite no’ caring for being told what to do again, the idea of seeing a new bairn was appealing.When she was growing up, she didn’t have contact with other children since she spent most of her life hiding from her da.

While her mam was still alive, she told her tales of beautiful unhappy women, held captive in a cold, high room who were rescued by a knight riding a white horse.He took her from the castle and they rode off on his horse to live a happy life.She had spent many a night in her bed wondering if there was a knight on a white horse who would one day rescue her and give her a happy life.

Her knight would be strong and honorable.He would protect her and love her.Unlike her da and brother, he would never beat her, or push her aside.She and her knight would have many bairns that she would love and never let anyone harm them.

Then her brother married her off to Avery Gordon and that ended any idea of a happy life.

Was Craig her knight on a white horse?

Nay, his horse was deep brown.

She realized Helena had been speaking to her and Lorena hadn’t heard a word she’s said after mentioning the two young mothers.Nodding at the woman, Helena continued with what supplies they needed to gather.

Like the day before, Lorena trailed behind Helena, watching what she gathered—the perfect healer explaining everything in her soft, soothing way.Lorena was tempted to pinch the woman to see if she ever raised her voice.

That’s not very nice.

I wouldn’t really do it!

I think.

“I shall ask the stable boy to prepare a wagon for us because we do have a lot of supplies to bring with us.”Helena looked at Lorena.“Do you wish to change yer dress?If no’, I can find an apron to put over it.I hate to see ye ruin such a wonderful surcoat.”

“I doona have anything else to change into, perhaps I could make use of an apron.”

“Of certe.If ye follow me I can get one for ye.”

Helena led her to the back of the kitchen to a small closet where several aprons hung on hooks.She pulled one out and handed it to her.“This should do nicely.”

“If ye will go to the stables and ask the lad to fix up a wagon for us, I will carry the supplies down to the front of the keep.”

Lorena headed to the stables where a young lad was brushing one of the horses.He looked up as she approached.He removed his cap and nodded.“Good morn, my lady.How may I help ye?”

He was older than she thought once she got close to him.“My name is Lady Lorena, Mister Craig’s wife.”

“Aye, I ken.I am Finlay MacKay.I saw ye the day ye arrived.I told my brothers that Mister Craig got him a bonnie wife.”

To her amazement, Lorena blushed.She wasn’t used to compliments and felt as silly as a young lass.“Thank ye, Finlay.I’ve come to ask ye to ready a wagon for myself and Lady MacKay.”

“Aye.Off to do some healing?”

She nodded.Finlay was a pleasant young man and she found herself smiling as he walked around the back of the stable and holding the two wide poles that would attach to the horse.