Page 10 of Never Marry a Highlander

“I’ll ask the healer to stop in and see ye.I will be at the lists most of the day.”

She frowned.“Why are ye still here?”

“I’m getting dressed.”

“Nay, I mean why will ye be at the lists?Why are ye not going home?”

He shook his head as he pulled his boots on.“Ye are too sick to travel, Lorena.”

“Aye, but that doesna mean ye can’t go home.”

He sat on the side of the bed, his clasped hands dangling between his spread knees.“What are ye talking about?”He waved between the two of them.“I ken ye have a fever, buy I’m sure ye remember we got married yesterday.”

She huffed.“Aye, I remember.But that doesna mean we have to live together.”

“Is that what ye had planned?Is that how yer first marriage went?”

She shook her head.“Nay.I wish it had.”

Craig stood and tucked his leine into his breeches.“We are no’ living in separate places.I dinna want this marriage any more than ye did, but I’m no’ going to deny it by pretending it dinna happen.”He reached over and touched his palm to her forehead.“Yer fever is back again.That’s most likely why ye’re talking nonsense.”

She slapped her hands down on the bed on either side of her legs.That had not been a good idea because her headache grew worse.“I’m no’ talking nonsense.”

After a quick brush of his hair, Craig strode to the door.“I’m sending the healer up to see ye.I will stop by later after I’ve spent time at the lists.”

***

He entered the great hall.Giles sat with Knox again and they were eating bread, cheese, apples and fried meat.He joined them and asked for a mug of apple cider.

“Have too much to drink last night?”Knox asked.

“Nay.I just doona like to drink ale before I hit the lists.”Craig reached for bread, butter and the fried meat.

“How is Lorena?”Knox asked as he gulped down a full mug of ale.

“Still sick.Yesterday, the healer said it was sweating sickness.I had it last year, and it could make ye feel miserable for a week or two.”

“I assume since the lass canno’ travel, that ye’ll be staying with us for a while?”Knox asked.

“Aye.The fool lass wanted me to go home.”He shook his head.“Where I go my wife goes.”

“Lorena doesna like being told what to do, and what no’ to do.”Knox rested his forearms on the table.

“’Twas time, then, that she learned what a husband says is what she does.”

“I doona ken too much because Lorena keeps to herself, but I’m quite sure she had a hard time with Avery when she was married to him.I just ken she was quite happy when she returned here after he died.”

“Yet, from what she told Robin yer father was no’ much better to her when she lived here.”

Knox looked a tad guilty.“Aye, he took his fists to her a few times.I always attempted to stop him, but when he is in a rage, there is no stopping him.”

Giles looked from Knox to Craig.“It sounds like the lass has had a hard time of it.”

The three men didn’t say anything more as they finished their meal.Craig waved over one of the serving lasses.“Can ye ask the healer to look at my wife?She was still warm again this morning.”

“Aye, I will ask Bridget to see her.”

Knox stood and looked down at the two men.“Are ye ready to have yer arses beat?”

“I’m ready anytime ye are,” Craig stood and adjusted his sword.“I look forward to show ye how the MacKays take care of braggarts like ye.”

With a hardy laugh they left the great hall and headed to the lists.