Page 52 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Eighteen

Craigstaredatthestartled look on Lorena’s face.Was this the reason Gunn was so determined to marry Lorena off to a MacKay brother?Any MacKay brother?Was her brother expecting her to act as some sort of spy, reporting back to him on everything she heard?

He mayhap had been a tad gruff when he asked her about it, but he was in pain, the potion hadn’t yet taken effect, and he was annoyed that Lorena left him without a word.She just stormed from the room.He had no idea what was wrong with the lass.

Lorena’s eyes flashed and her chin moved up.Aye, he’d managed to annoy the lass.“I ken as much about that missive as ye do.”She pointed to the foolscap in his hand.

“What does that mean?”

“Exactly what I said.Now if ye will excuse me, I am verra tired after a long day and I intend to retire early.”Without another word, she began removing her clothes, giving him ideas other than spying.It had been weeks since he’d laid with his wife, and the pain in his arm had no effect on the stirring in his body.

He walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, her back facing him.“I’ll be happy to help ye with that.”

She turned to him.“Nay.Ye are recovering from a wound and I am worn out.”Pushing past him, she shimmed out of her kirtle, pulled her blouse over her head, and dressed in merely her almost transparent shift, climbed into bed, turning her back on him.

Was the lass that upset over him asking about a missive?‘Twas his first night home in weeks.He’d hoped to have the opportunity to refresh his memory on the lovely curves his wife’s warm, soft body possessed.

Not one to give up easily, he climbed in next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her next to him.

“Nay, Craig.Ye are injured and I am tired.”

He leaned down and kissed the sensitive skin under her ear.“I am ne’er too wounded to love my wife.”

She huffed.Then turned to face him.“Ye mean the wife ye doona trust?The wife whose advice ye are afraid to take until someone else tells ye the same thing?”

He rested his head on his upraised hand.“What are ye talking about?”

She huffed and punched her pillow.“Ye memory has become short, husband.It must be all those suspicions ye have in yer had about the woman who shares yer bed.”

The potion had hit somewhere between his memory being short and the woman who shares his bed.Too confused and drowsy, he pushed the argument aside and laid his head down.

Lorena turned from him, but determined to at least have her body close, he wrapped his arm around her waist again and pulled her back to him.She stiffened at first, and then just as he drifted off, her warm body relaxed against his.

***

Lorena awoke feeling warm and comfortable, something she hadn’t felt in a while.She pushed her bottom back against Craig and felt the almost forgotten feeling of his morning erection.Slowly, she eased back and was grateful when he didn’t awaken.She was still angry with him and didn’t want to begin the day with an argument.

The missive from her brother was as confusing to her as it was to Craig.She had no idea what he expected her to do.Did he think she had some sort of sway with the laird?The man who had pushed her aside to marry the woman he loved.

And all the words of caring and affection from her brother that she’d had always ached for were almost laughable.For a moment, she’d forgotten that he still only thought of her as a means to get something he wanted.Whatever that was.Like all men’s minds, she was merely a pawn to trade for power, money, alliance, or to re-pay a debt.

She was washed, dressed and almost to the door when Craig said, “Where are ye going?”

Trying her best to remain cheerful, she turned and smiled.“I am off to break my fast.I thought ye would remain asleep a bit longer.”The healer in her returned to the bed and sat alongside him.“How is yer arm today?”

“Sore, but the pain is no’ so bad.”He reached out and touched her cheek.“I dinna mean to act so rough last night about yer brother’s message.”

She shrugged.There was no point in discussing it since he obviously didn’t trust her.His first thoughts had been that she had enough feeling for her abusive brother that she would turn on her new family.

“’Twas no matter.I have no intention of doing his bidding anymore.I had intended to throw the letter in the fire but ye and Gre’gor arrived then, and I forgot about it.”

“I still apologize for no’ trusting ye.”He gave her that grin that released a dance of butterflies in her stomach.

Not wishing to upset herself further by lowering her shield and having it shattered again, she said, “I can check yer bandage as soon as I return.I’ll bring some food for ye as well.”

“Ah,leannan, I would appreciate a decent meal this time.I refuse to lie about in bed today.Robin needs me and Finn to go over our trip to Castle Varrich.”

She nodded.“Verra well.Since ye doona seem to have a fever, I will fetch ye some food and check yer bandage when I return.”Before she could make a fool out of herself and have him see the tears that had appeared in her eyes at the thought of him leaving again so soon, she hurried from the room.