Page 47 of Never Marry a Highlander

Robin

At first light the next morning, he and Gre’gor set out for Dun Ugadale.Since it was just the two of them, they pushed themselves and their horses so by the end of the first day they’d traveled more than halfway to the brooch.

Once they picked a place to settle for the night, he went in search of their supper and Gre’gor made the fire and tended to the horses.Craig arrived back at the camp with two rabbits along with three salmon he’d caught from the creek not far from where they’d settled.

It was a good spot, and even though they were still on MacKay land, he took precautions since renegades had been spotted here as well as the border.During the weeks he’d been at his post, they’d caught a few reivers, but after a beating they sent them on their way back with a warning of losing their heads if they got caught again.

He and Gre’gor gutted the rabbits and cooked them over the fire along with the fish.Both tired from pushing themselves all day, they said a quick good sleep and wrapped themselves in their plaids and went to sleep.

It was barely light when Craig awoke and grabbed his sword.The horses were stepping nervously and shaking their heads.Someone was nearby.He looked over at Gre’gor on the other side of the now dead fire and he too was awake, sword in hand.

Craig stood just as a horse came crashing through the brush.Two men also on horses followed him, wearing no identifiable plaids.

“Who are ye and why are ye on MacKay land?”

The first man jumped from his horse and the other two followed, swords drawn.He smiled, showing rotten teeth.

“We doona care whose land we’re on, we’ll just take whatever coin ye’re carrying.”He moved forward and swung at Craig.Within seconds all five men were in a full fight.

Craig dispatched the leader almost immediately, leaving him holding his middle and writhing on the ground.He and Gre’gor then fought back-to-back with the remaining two, who were nowhere near the well-trained warriors as he and Gre’gor were.

Right before the last of the two were taken down, Craig received a slash on his upper arm.He didn’t realize he’d been cut until the foray was over and the three men lay dead on the ground.

Then the pain hit him, almost bringing him to his knees.He leaned on his sword as black dots danced in his eyes.He looked over at Gre’gor who was dripping blood from his thigh and looking quite pale.“I think ‘tis time to return home,” Craig said.

They bandaged each other as best they could, and leaving the bodies buried in the foliage, rode off.The renegade’s horses, obviously not trained for battle as the Mackay horses were, had run off during the battle.

***

Lorena had once again spent the day tending to those suffering from illnesses and injuries.She and Helena were concerned because several clansfolk were suffering from the sweating sickness.One young bairn had died from it, leaving his parents weeping over their only child.

She felt terrible, blaming herself for not being able to save the lad.“Ye canno’ blame yerself for that,” Helena said as they returned to the brooch, heartsick and weary.“We do the best we can, but we canno’ save everyone.”

“But he was so young, so sweet.”

“Aye.‘Tis hard when they’re young like that.”Helena reached out and touched her arm.“Ye are doing great as a healer.‘Tis no’ an easy job and many doona suit.When I arrived, there was a young lass who had taken over from the older healer who wanted to enjoy the rest of her life in a small cottage with a vegetable and flower garden.

“The poor lass was no’ at all ready for the work.She couldna stand the sight of blood and when she was supposed to help me with my sister, Jena’s birthing, she disappeared.”

Lorena looked off into the distance.“I ne’er thought I would be good at this, but then I dinna believe I could be good at anything.”

Helena viewed her with sympathetic eyes.“Ye are wonderful woman, Lorena.Doona let anyone tell ye different.”

God’s toes, the woman could bring tears to her eyes.When Lorena had first arrived, she wanted so much to hate Helena.Now seeing her with Robin, she had to admit that the laird had made the right choice.He and Helena belonged together.

Did that mean she and Craig belonged together?

After parting ways with Helena, Lorena started up the stairs when one of the maids stopped her.“Mistress, a missive arrived for ye earlier this afternoon while ye were out and about.”

“A missive?”

“Aye, I brought it up to yer bedchamber.”

“Thank ye.”She continued up the stairs.Who would be sending her a missive?She had no friends to send her one.No one who cared enough to bother with a missive.

As she entered her room her eyes were drawn to a piece of parchment sitting on the table next to the bed.First, she washed her hands and face, then walked over to the missive and picked it up.

Dearest Sister,