20. Chapter Nineteen

"What is it, lass?" Craig said, looking confused at his wife's reaction to his words.

She wiped the tears from her face. "'Tis no'hing. I am just weary and I think ‘tis so nice that ye want me to come with ye."

He placed his knuckle under her chin and raised her head. "I think ‘twould be good for ye to get away. From what I've been told ye have been working verra hard."

Her heart swelled with joy. Mayhap he still believed Helena was the perfect woman, but the day might arrive when he saw her in a light different than the shrew he'd believed her to be when they'd married. "Is Helena going to Varrich, also?" She asked.

"Nay. Robin dinna want to leave the clan with no healer, and since Helena preferred to stay behind this time, she can take care of any injuries while ye are gone."

She felt as silly as a young lass that Craig wanted her with him. If only she could learn to trust the mon, then she knew they could have a good life together. True, he'd been away for most of their marriage, but everything she'd heard about him while he was gone hadn't given her reason to believe that in a fit of temper he would lay his hands on her.

And after spending weeks with Robin and Helena, seeing the love and devotion between them, it might be a good idea to open her heart to him. The way she'd missed him while he was at the border told her that feelings she dinna want when she married him, had slowly changed. Mayhap some time away with him might help them. Could he actually begin to care for her?

She met up with Helena at the great hall where she was finishing up her meal. "We have a few patients to see this morning. Cait MacKay sent a young boy from the village to see me, with a message to ask if we could visit with her today."

"Did the laird ever get the chance to speak with her husband about her injuries?"

"Aye. He sent word to Gaun to come to the brooch to speak with him. At first the mon tried to tell my husband that his wife fell against a table and that's where the bruise came from. Robin told him we would be checking on Cait during the rest of her pregnancy and if there were any more bruises, he would have Gaun whipped."

"Ach! Do ye think he would really do that?"

Helena smiled. "Oh, aye. Robin is verra firm about a mon no' taking care of those entrusted to him."

Lorena filed those words away.

Cait was feeling quite miserable when they saw her. The summer was officially over and the cooler weather was causing her chills. The bairn was moving around quite a bit and the poor woman looked tired and cranky.

"Do ye have someone who can help ye with the heavy work?" Lorena asked.

"There is my auntie who lives at the end of the village, but she is getting on in years and the cold weather tightens up her fingers so bad. Gaun has been helpful lately." She smiled, her entire face lighting up. "I doona ken what happened, but he is verra nice to me lately."

Lorena and Helena shared a smile. Apparently Robin's threat with a whipping was all the mon needed to control his temper.

"I am most pleased to hear that, Cait. We will be checking on ye every few days. Should ye need us before then, just send word to the brooch." Helena gave the lass some herbs that she told her would help her sleep and then Lorena went out to the wagon and brought in a bucket of Maude's famous mutton stew and some fresh baked bread.

Cait was most appreciative, and Lorena left there feeling very good. She placed her hand on her still flat stomach. "Helena, how long will it be before my stomach starts to expand?"

"Every woman's body is different, but ye can expect to see a bit of growth by yer third month. How have ye been feeling?"

"Tired. Otherwise, I am well." Helena glanced sideways at her. "Have ye told Craig yet?"

"Nay. He was injured when he arrived back, as ye ken, and then we got into a bit of a disagreement. Although, now that he has invited me to go with him to Castle Varrich, I am feeling much more pleasant toward him."

Helena laughed. "Robin and I had some disagreements at the beginning. I think all married couples do."

"Have ye ever been to Varrich?"

Helena shook her head. "Nay. I was a mere healer and orphan growing up. I was just happy to have a roof over my head, food, and a way to earn my keep. Going to events at other castles was something I dinna even dream of, so far above me such things were."

Feeling a little guilty, Lorena said, "Do ye feel bad on missing out on this one?"

Her sister by marriage must have read something into her words because she stopped and placed her hand on her arm. "Doona fash yerself, Lorena. I am happy to stay behind. Ye were raised as a laird's daughter so ye ken more of castle life than I ever will. I believe I would be uncomfortable."

"Ye are the laird's wife!" Lorena said.

"Aye. But I doona feel like such most days."

Lorena pondered those words for the rest of the trip back to the brooch. She couldn't imagine Helena feeling uncomfortable in any situation. And she didn't want to share her own ignoble upbringing and watch the pity on Helena's face. It appeared they had much more in common than it would appear.

***

Despite her position as daughter and then sister of the Laird of Gunn, Lorena had never attended a social gathering of the clans. When David did accept an invitation, he never asked her to accompany him, except when he wanted to marry her off. Consequently, the only places she'd visited had been Avery Stewart's home and the Dun Ugadale brooch.

She felt like a young girl, ready to giggle when she looked up at Castle Varrich, home of the Clan Chief of the Mackays, Laird Foster MacKay. She almost fell from her horse as she leaned back while they climbed the steep hill leading to the structure in an attempt to see all the way to the top.

The majestic castle, overlooking the Kyle of Tongue and Village Tongue left her breathless. With its position, ‘twould be impossible for anyone to attack without being seen for miles from the ramparts.

"Be careful, lass, or I'll have to pick ye up from the ground," Craig said as he smiled at her enthusiasm.

She blushed, embarrassed at being caught gawking like a young lad. "'Tis an amazing place. I imagine how beautiful the view is from the ramparts."

"We can find out. Once we get settled, I'll walk ye up there so ye can see."

"For truth?"

He smiled at her in such a way her insides grew warm, and she wanted more than anything to wrap her arms around that muscular body and lean into his warm strength. Was she becoming enamored with her husband? A frightening thought since she was quite certain his feelings for her had not changed since he said he didn't want to marry, and when they did, he would spend most of his time away and leave her to do what she wished. What had sounded so perfect then, seemed so empty now.

Once they arrived at the outer baily, Craig jumped from his horse and wrapped his arms around her waist and helped her down. The Mackay and his wife, a charming woman named Natalie, on the short and plump side greeted them.

Robin introduced Lorena to their hosts. "Married, eh, MacKay? I kenned yer brother was in search of a wife to continue his line, but I swore ye always said marriage was no' for ye."

Instead of embarrassing her by mentioning how he found it necessary to step into Robin's place when he'd rejected her, he pulled Lorena next to him and slid his arm around her waist. "When ye find the right woman, the idea of the single state loses its appeal."

"Oh, my, Natalie MacKay said, "I believe we have a young mon in love!"

The warmth in her middle grew and even though she knew Craig was telling a tall tale to their hosts, it made her feel good to know he was concerned about her feelings.

After some light chattering with their hosts, Lady MacKay waved over a young maid. "Please show the MacKays to their rooms." She looked at Robin. "I hope ye doona mind, but we have so many guests in attendance that we had to put ye and yer brother Finn in the same room."

"'Tis fine, my lady," Robin said. "As long as Craig and his wife have their own room. I doona want to be kept up all night with their antics. My brother just got back from a month-long assignment at the border."

She blushed again as they all laughed.

The young maid dipped a slight curtsy. "If ye will follow me, I'll show ye to yer rooms."

Craig placed a possessive hand on her lower back, and they moved forward. The group climbed the steps to the keep and entered the great hall. Once again, Lorena was taken with the size of the great hall and the tapestries hanging on the walls.

Three large hearths lined the walls with several dogs lying asleep in front of them. Several guests were in the room, eating food from a few platters with cheese, fruit and small loaves of bread. As they made it almost to the stairs, they all turned at a woman's voice. "Craig MacKay. I've been waiting here for ye."

A tall willowy woman with bright red hair and streaks of gold hurried over to their group. She threw her arms around Craig and looked up at him. "What, no kiss for yer favorite lass?"

Lorena looked over at Craig who removed her arms from around his neck and stepped back from the woman. "Um, Beattie, may I introduce ye to my wife, Lady Lorena MacKay?"

The woman slapped him on his arm. "Verra funny, Craig. We all ken ye would ne'er marry."

When he said nothing in response to her words, she looked over at Lorena. "This is The MacKay's wife, aye? I remember there was a betrothal with MacKay and a Lorena Gunn."

Robin cleared his throat, and Lorena was becoming annoyed that the woman kept close to Craig, her hand on his chest.

"Lady Beattie, I'm afraid ye are mistaken. My wife, Helena is home no' feeling well. Lady Lorena is truly Craig's wife."

Beattie stepped back and glared at Lorena. "Why are ye no' The MacKay's wife?"

Craig stepped away from the woman and once again placed his hand on Lorena's lower back. "'Tis no concern of yers why Lady Lorena is my wife. Now, if ye will excuse us, we are weary from our trip and wish to retire to our rooms."

Lorena glanced at the woman when they moved toward the stairs to follow the maid. She shivered at the look Lady Beattie cast her.

Somehow her excitement at being at Castle Varrich slowly dimmed.