Page 6 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

Heather made her excuses and left her mother, making her way to the allocated bedroom. A young servant showed her where it was. “This is where you can stay Ma’am.” She curtseyed.

“Thank you, what is your name?” Heather asked the girl.

“I am Helene.”

“How old are you?” Heather asked.

“I am ten-years-old Ma’am.” Helene straightened up as she said this, proud of her age.

“What do you like to do Helene? Do you know how to read?” she asked the girl.

“Nah Ma’am I cannot. I am too busy to do much.”

“Would you like me to read a little bit to you, and maybe teach you? I will be here for a while, and well, I do love teaching,” Heather said. She hoped she could do this. It would give her a sense of purpose and would help keep her mind off Hiram and their upcoming wedding.

“I don’t know if the Laird would like that or not. I am to work, not learn while I am here,” Helene said.

“I will make sure it is okay first. Don’t worry, I don’t want you to get into trouble,” Heather said.

“I think I would enjoy it Ma’am,” Helene said and grinned, her smile infectious.

“Please Helene stop bowing to me, really. I’m just a normal girl, much like you.”

Helene shook her head. “Nah Ma’am, you are a daughter of a laird. I am just the daughter of a seamstress.”

“We are all equal in many ways,” Heather commented.

It had been something her great-grandmother had taught her years ago and her parents had agreed. In their village, people were all treated the same, whether they had money and status or not. It was one of the reasons her parents were so loved by all. Heather couldn’t help but be happy thinking that her parents would always be safe as a result of this alliance. There had been niggling concerns with some of the clans nearby and her father was getting older. She knew people thought he was becoming weak in his old age. But, once she had married Hiram, they would move back to Castle Douglas and rename it as part of the MacGregor clan. It would surely keep the other clans from attacking. She had no choice but to uphold her end of this matrimonial bargain. She had no brother to fulfill his duties, and so it would be Hiram and herself who would inherit. Hiram still had another brother who might be able to take over this area of land when he was older. If not, she had no idea what would become of their combined kingdoms. She still carried the weight of sadness at the prospect of marrying, but she would make the best of it. A light knock at the door brought her out of her reverie.

“Come in.”

“Mamma, this is the lady I was telling you about. She wants to teach me how to read. Can I do it please?” Helene jumped up and down in excitement.

Heather smiled at such enthusiasm. “I’m Heather Douglas, I am to marry Hiram MacGregor in a few weeks, and we are staying here for a while, so perhaps you would afford me the honor of teaching your daughter some words?” Heather queried.

The woman clamped her thin lips together. She seemed surly. “I do not know if it is a good idea. She won’t be able to move up from our position, even if she learns to read. It is better not to waste your time on this lass,” she said.

Heather noticed the deep sadness that came across the young girl’s face. She felt that sadness inside too, and knew it all too well. “Well, I think you never know where she might be able to find work. If she knows more, she will have a better chance in life. I would be so happy to help her,” Heather said.

“Aye, if you want to waste your time, you can.” Her mother shrugged her shoulders. It was obvious that she didn’t care about her young daughter. Heather felt her heart go out to the girl.

“If that’s all?” Her voice was tight and disapproving.

“Yes, it is. Thank you.” Heather’s voice was clipped in return and she dismissed her without looking. If she had looked, she would have seen the anger in the woman’s eyes.

Heather was lost in thought. She realized that Helene reminded her of her cousin Bonnie, who had been raised by a woman much like Helene’s mother. Bonnie’s father had died suddenly and left five children. They all had to be fed, and she simply didn’t make enough to feed that many. The children had run wild for some time until Heather’s parents had heard about it. They had traveled to find the bairns and then had visited her aunt. It had been quite the scene. She had rarely seen anything like that in her life, and she shivered at the memories. She couldn’t think of it right now. She needed to think happy thoughts and to make others feel good. She would start with Helene.

Helene clapped her hands together in delight and Heather smiled warmly at her. “We can start tonight, after you are finished working. Come to me here and I’ll read to you.”

There were so many resemblances to Bonnie, but she lacked that infectious happiness. Bonnie had been both angry and intensely sad. She had felt betrayed and unloved by her mother and it had been so sad to hear her crying at night for a home that she never really lived in. She had been just eight-years-old when her father had passed, and by the tender age of nine, her life was on the streets. Once the children had left the house, mainly through neglect, her mother had moved away, not telling anyone where she had gone. Somehow, Heather’s parents had tracked her down.

She grimaced as the scene set itself in her mind once more and a sense of coldness penetrated her defenses. She tried to push the dark thoughts away but failed. They were carved into her memory...a permanent scar for the cruelty of the world. Bonnie’s nightmares had woken them so many times and she couldn’t bear to think what had happened to that young girl during her time on the streets.

Hiram drew his sword back and pushed his hilt with great force deep into the man’s chest. “This is what you get for messing with Clan MacGregor.” He snarled at the man and spat on his body as he fell.

Energy pumped through his veins. Hiram was alive, conquering all. He was a victor. He ruled these death-soaked lands. Nothing ever fueled him with energy in the same way. It was exciting, it was compelling. It was like being with Heather and feeling that first flush of desire. Looking around, Hiram saw that no one was near him. He was safe, so he allowed his mind to wander. He couldn’t help but marvel at his reaction to her. She had been polite and not averse to him, but her coolness had prevented him from kissing those beautiful lips and touching her skin. It wasn’t love, but lust was making its presence felt.

Was that enough for a marriage? It didn’t matter. It was done. They were both nothing but a deal, a trade-off against peace. But for now, thoughts of Heather did not belong on the battlefield. He glanced to the right; one of the clansmen from the Lowlands was approaching, his sword held high. Hiram dodged the protruding blade and swung his sword automatically. The man stumbled backwards, the front of his body unprotected, and Hiram stepped forward, slicing the blade through his ribs and down to the loins. The man lay gurgling and Hiram smiled in satisfaction.