Page 78 of Enchantment of a Highlander

“I’m no lady,” she said quickly.

He bowed regardless.

His eyes were bright and young, but the carved lines on his face were evidence of a hard life. “Ye saved my son yesterday, the same as ye saved all the other bairns. They would have died without ye and we’re glad the laird’s convinced ye to stay close for yer safety.” He cast a quick peek at Alec. “Sorry to have interrupted.” He bowed once more and slipped away.

The knot of anxiety in Celia’s stomach eased a bit. She glanced at Alec to see his reaction. He gave her a reassuring smile. “They all wanted me to get ye. They’ve been worried about ye being out in yer cottage by yerself.”

She pushed her hair from her face and glanced around once more. The eyes staring back at her were not smug with knowing, but warm with welcoming gratitude.

“They don’t think I’m your…”

Whore.

The word stuck in her throat.

“They know I desire ye,” Alec said. “And they know to keep their hands off ye. But they dinna think ye’re my mistress. Unless ye want them to.” He winked down at her.

“Celia.” The sound of her name cracked from the entrance.

She gazed in the direction and found Duncan holding tight to the doorframe with his left hand. Standing up, he was almost as tall as she. Had he grown in the two days since she’d seen him or had she not noticed his height while he lay abed?

His shirt hung loose on his thin frame and the belt of his kilt had been drawn so tight the extra fabric puckered around his hips. A wide grin stretched across his cheeks and the sun lit his bright green eyes.

“I’m glad ye’re safe. I’ve been worried about ye,” he said in a stronger voice than she expected.

She rushed forward to keep him from walking to her. “If I remember correctly, I wasn’t the one wandering around the forest while already sick.” She tried to give him a sincere, chastising look, but such a thing was not possible with Duncan.

His gaze cut to her cheek and his lips set in a hard line.

Exactly like Alec.

“Perhaps I was right in coming to help ye when ye dinna show. That wound isna fresh from yesterday.” He tilted his head with far too much perception. “Were ye attacked? Did they hur—”

Alec swept between them and caught Duncan by the shoulders. “She’s only just arrived, boy. Let her get out of the wind and then ye can ask yer questions.” He tugged Duncan into the keep and met Celia’s gaze. “I wouldna mind hearing the answers myself.”

She looked away, uncertain how to reply, when a high-pitched squeal came from across the room where Wynda ran toward her at full speed.

Celia knew she would be ensconced in a massive, floury hug.

There was a happy warmth inside her, a welcome warmth. This must be what it felt like to have a home, a family. This must be what it felt like to have love.

And for that one moment when Wynda flung her arms around her, she did not push it away.

She welcomed it all.

• • •

Alec leaned his shoulder against the smooth stone wall and bit back a grin. Wynda had enveloped Celia in a crushing embrace he knew all too well.

“Ach, lass, I heard of the brave things ye did,” Wynda said against the top of Celia’s head. “I’m so glad the laird talked ye into staying with us where ye’ll be safe.”

Wynda opened her arms and Celia stepped free, her cheeks flushed. “And ye…” Wynda fixed her gaze on Alec and propped her hands on her hips.

Shite.

The wind howled through the doorway and sent his kilt flapping against his knees.

“Ye dinna come back to the castle after the battle.” She stalked toward him, her red hair flickering in the wind like a flame. “Nay, instead ye send a guard to tell me that ye’re safe and ye’ll be back when ye can.” She snuffled noisily. “Like ye wanted to rip the heart from my chest. If I dinna love Celia, ye’d be in a fine mess of trouble, do ye know that?” She lifted the corner of her apron and wiped the tears from her eyes.