Page 14 of Treasures of Skye

Gregor lifted a brow. “Did you return to challenge his decisions as laird?”

Nae. He’d come to stop a foolish girl from herself.

* * *

Helena stepped into the tub and gripped the edges as she lowered herself into the heavenly warmth of the water. The chill burrowed deeper in her core as the warmth slowly worked its way deeper. Mrs. Hayes set the dish of soap and cloth on the nearby table and Helena waited until the older woman had scrubbed her hair then directed her to rinse it before saying, “I hope it wasnae terribly difficult for ye to allow Kaden to return here after so long.”

As expected, Mrs. Hayes looked at her in surprise. It was a gamble, but Helena felt certain it wasn't a huge gamble. The surprise on Mrs. Hayes face when she'd seen Kaden had been obvious. Her pleasure at seeing him was also obvious. Helena suspected that he'd been gone for some time, after leaving under unfavorable circumstances. That probably explained why he was living alone in a small croft. She would be much wiser to leave well enough alone; but she wasn't known for her wisdom. She was, however, known for engendering trust.

“I know it was a risk for him to come here,” Helena said. “But I appreciate that you took us in.”

Would the older woman tell her something that would illuminate the situation, or would she tell Helena to mind her own business?

“Kaden is welcome here anytime.” Mrs. Hayes handed her the soap.

Helena flashed a grateful smile. “I thank you.”

Mrs. Hayes eyes sharpened, then her expression gentled. “Ye care for him.”

Helena dropped her gaze, as much out of genuine embarrassment as hoping to elicit sympathy, and began scrubbing her arms. “He is a good man.” It wasn't a lie.

“I am pleased he has found a good woman. You are a good woman?”

Helena looked at her shyly. “I am an honest woman.” This was a complete lie. But in this case, she wanted nothing more than to understand the man who had saved her twice in the last three days.

“How long have you known him?” Mrs. Hayes asked.

Helena prayed Mrs. Hayes didn't ask Kaden the same question. “Only two weeks. He saved my life.”

Mrs. Hayes frowned, then pulled up a chair and sat down as Helena told her how she had fallen through the ice and he'd saved her. “He has allowed me to stay with him—but he has been a gentleman.”

The older woman gave a succinct nod. “Kaden is a good man. Where are ye from, lass?”

“My mother was a MacKinnon, but I have distant cousins that are MacLeods. I was on my way to visit them.” She feigned a sad expression. “My mother died two months ago.”

“What of your father?”

Helena shook her head. “He died when I was very young.”

Mrs. Hayes sighed. “I am sorry.”

Helena nodded and washed her feet very slowly. “Thank ye. Do you think Kaden might return home?” Another, much bigger gamble.

Mrs. Hayes sighed. “He should. Even Caeleb would be glad to see him. I do no’ believe he desires to take his place is laird. But it matters not. He belongs here with us.”

Laird? Her heart began to pound. Helena studiously washed her other foot. Heaven help her. She’d fallen in with the MacLeod laird.

* * *

Kaden climbed the stairs back to the room to find Helena buried beneath blankets, fast asleep in bed. His gaze caught on a tiny splash of MacLeod plaid against the black of her cloak, which lay across the foot of the bed. Kaden crept to the bed and picked up the cloak. He reached inside the pocket and pulled out a folded piece of plaid. He didn’t have to unwrap the plaid. He recognized the cloth that was wrapped around the Faery Flag given to the MacLeod clan by the Fae Queen.

Blessed by the Faery Queen Titania, its magic was purported to stop wars, protect from evil, and even stop death. But its power could only be used by a MacLeod. He gave a silent, mirthless laugh. If the flag had ever been used, it was long ago, when men were honorable.

Helena sighed and he yanked his gaze onto her. She turned over and went silent again. He slipped the flag back into the pocket and draped the cloak over the back of a chair at the table. If Caeleb MacLeod discovered who took the flag, they would be hanged. Just as Kaden’s brother had been.