“What?” Helena blurted out, shocked to hear she’d been deceased for several days.
“Aye, Maither. Arran had to tell Blackwell that ye died months ago. Arran was convincing, but I daenae ken if Blackwell believed him.”
“Does he ken I’m alive now?”
“Nay one has told him anything different,” Arran informed her.
“Oh, dear. Me predicament hasnae changed much, then. I could still be sent back.”
Arran shook his head. “Nae if I have any say in the matter. Helena, as long as ye are here, I will do everythin’ I can to keep ye safe.”
Helena looked at him, not sure what to say after his declaration.
“I’ll do what I can as well, Lady MacKeith,” Magnus put in. “I now ken what that rotter is capable of. I’ll go before the council, if need be, on yer behalf.”
Helena blushed slightly. “Thank ye, Magnus. But it might be better if I just stay dead.”
“Me Lady, I for one am happy that ye are very much alive.” Magnus flashed her a wide smile.
Helena looked down at her hands in her lap, her face still flushed but her lips curled into a slight smile.
Skye watched her mother’s reaction to Magnus with interest. She’d never known a man to make her mother blush.
“Aye! Here comes Astrid with the bannocks she promised.” Arran’s announcement broke the awkward silence.
The hall was empty now except for a few musicians who were playing a soft ballad in the corner. Astrid put the bannocks on the table, and Skye saw that one piece was missing.
“I’m sorry, me Lady.” Astrid winced. “Lady Elsie found them before I could bring them out. She snagged a piece in the kitchen.”
“Nay harm done, Astrid,” Skye reassured her. “She left in search of a treat, and I’m happy she found one. I’m sure the day caught up to her.”
Astrid looked relieved, and she proceeded to serve up the dessert on small pewter plates.
Arran and Skye took the first bites, and Arran laughed when he saw his bride’s face. “I see that Astrid’s bannock doesnae disappoint.”
Skye’s expression was one of pure bliss when she tasted the confection.
“Astrid, ye have outdone yerself once more!” Arran exclaimed, and everyone nodded in agreement.
Silence fell over the hall as everyone enjoyed the sweet treat.
Arran turned to Helena. “The maids have prepared ye a room, and dinnae hesitate to tell them if ye want to bathe this evening. Our home isnae as lavish as Castle MacKeith, but I think ye will be comfortable.”
Helena nodded. “Thank ye, Arran, for thinking of me needs.”
Skye squirmed in her seat at her mother’s clipped voice.
She doesnae trust him.
Helena seemed to sense her daughter’s discomfort and turned back to Arran. “But I see yer clan is well-provided for and nae walkin’ around afraid to speak or laugh. Ye seem like a good Laird.”
Arran smiled at the compliment. “Thank ye, Ma’am.” After a moment, he rose from his seat. “I’m going to speak with the guards at the gate and the towers, Skye. I want to be sure everyone is in place in case Blackwell returns.”
Helena dropped her fork, and it hit the pewter plate with a clang. “That despot was here?” she gasped, clutching her throat. “Is he gone? Are ye sure he’s far away?”
“Aye, Maither. He showed up right after the weddin’. But he is gone now,” Skye replied as calmly as possible, steadying her mother with a hand on her shoulder.
“And he was enraged, I bet,” Helena added, astounded.
