Page 61 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Twenty-Two

Theirarrivalhomewaswelcomed by Lorena.It had been a very good idea to spend the night before at the inn.With various excuses, she’d managed to delay Craig a bit to give her stomach time to settle.Once they were in their own bed that night, she would place his hand on her stomach and let him know her news.Would he be happy?Angry?Would he ask Robin to send him off as soon as possible so he didn’t have to witness the bairn growing in her middle?

She sighed at all these questions as they were greeted by Finn, Robin and Helena.Although she didn’t ask, ‘twas apparent from Helena’s glance to her middle and gesture toward Craig that she wondered if she had shared the news yet.

“Let us go to my solar for a bit of tea,” Helena said as she linked her arm with Lorena’s.

Once settled there, Lorena poured out her story about Lady Beattie and the way things had ended with her and Craig as they’d readied themselves to return home.

“I ken that woman,” Helena said.“She visited one time before Robin and I married.I remember her pushing herself at all three of the MacKay brothers.”She shook her head.“I canno’ say for certe if Craig had anything to do with her then, but I ken Finn and Robin stayed clear of the tart.”

“Well, I doona ken what to believe.”Lorena took a sip of tea.“Aside from her claim the morning we left, I have no reason to believe Craig has broken his vows.”

“Nor will he,” Helena said with determination.“I’ve kenned all three of the MacKay men while living here and there is no’hing dishonorable about any of them.Aye, Craig always found a willing lass to take care of his needs and firmly stated his resolve to no’ marry, but he kenned that Robin would one day require it, and if he did marry, he would no’ wander from his wife’s bed.”

Lorena breathed a sigh of relief to hear Helena emphatically state what she was beginning to believe herself.

“Have ye told Craig about the bairn yet?”

“Nay.At first I wanted to be sure, and then I decided I would rather tell him here at home than at Castle Varrich.”

“So plan a nice evening.Have yer last meal sent up to yer room and after a couple glasses of wine, share yer news.”

Lorena studied Helena who had become her friend and confidant.“Do ye think he will be happy?Or mayhap upset to have another reason to feel tied down?”

Helena laughed and shook her head.“My dear, Craig is a man grown.He’s kenned for years how bairns come about.Unless he’s changed considerably since he married, he willna be surprised to hear yer news.”

Her face growing redder by the moment, she had to join in Helena’s laughter.“Aye.Ye are correct.He should no’ be surprised.”

“Fire!”

They looked at each other and raced to the door.

Chaos reigned in the great hall.Helena grabbed one of the servants heading to the back door.“Where is the fire?”

“In the village.With the wind today, several bothies have already gone up in flames.”

Lorena looked at Helena.“We must help.There will be injuries, I am sure.”

Helena nodded.“I will fetch my medicant basket and meet ye at the back door.”

Craig rushed down the stairs and grabbed Lorena by the arm.“Where are ye going, wife?”

“To help, of course.”

He took a quick look at her kirtle.“No’ like that ye aren’t.Go upstairs and grab a pair of my braies.Use one of my belts to hold them up.Skirts are much too dangerous around fire.”

Lorena nodded and raced back upstairs.She’d only seen one fire before.That had been in the kitchen at Clyth Castle, She'd been a young lass, and been banned from the area, so all she’d seen was those who’d been injured.

She grabbed two pairs of braies, and the only belt she could find.As she reached the bottom of the stairs, Helena was headed in her direction carrying her basket.“Helena, ye canno’ go to the fire in yer kirtle.”

“Aye.Robin just ordered me to stay here, but when I refused, he told me to get a pair of his braies.”

Lorena held up the two pairs she grabbed from her bedchamber.“I have an extra pair here, but we need to find another belt.”

Helena dug into her basket.“I have a piece of rope here that will work.”

Both women returned to the small room next to the kitchen used as a sickroom and quickly changed clothes.Once finished, they headed to the stables where the head groom was preparing horses as quickly as he could.Lorena and Helena were helped onto the same horse and off they went to the village.