The sun had barely risenwhen Dougall, Helene and Logan began their journey back to Castle Treun. Helene could barely contain her excitement. She’d rarely, if ever, been much more than a day’s ride away from Breaghacraig. She was both excited and nervous to be on this trip. The excitement was a by-product of Dougall’s proposal. She was going to be the wife of one of Breaghacraig’s fiercest warriors and as far as she was concerned, the handsomest. Following along on the narrow path that led her away from her home, Helene was keenly aware of Dougall’s presence. Her eyes were glued to his back as he rode and she had the distinct pleasure of watching every muscle as it moved along with the horse’s gait. His broad shoulders tapered to a vee and the sight of his taut backside securely seated in his saddle sent a rush of heat throughout her body. Dougall must have felt her eyes on him because he turned in the saddle, his heated gaze causing goose bumps to erupt.
The trip to Castle Treun should take no more than three days and three agonizing nights where she would be able to sleep beside Dougall, but both would need to be discreet. Logan, who followed along behind her, was a deterrent to anything other than a chaste kiss or hug taking place while they camped. Still, Helene’s mind wandered to thoughts of more passionate nights to come, causing her to squirm in her saddle.
The scenery around them became even more beautiful the further away from Breaghacraig they ventured. Carpets of lavender, wild orchids and thistle blanketed the landscape and were offset by rugged cliffs and coastline. Dougall had explained their route to her. While this was all new to her, he was an expert. He knew exactly where he was going and had planned the most expedient route. She knew, because he’d explained it to her that they’d be travelling through the Cuillin Mountains, Trottenish Ridge and across something called The Table. She would never forget this journey. How could she? At the end of it she’d become the wife of Dougall MacRae.
Dougall stoppedBroch and waited for Helene to reach him before continuing on at her side. The road was wider here and he wished to be as close to her as he could this day.
“Are ye afeared, Helene?” he asked, concern in his voice.
“Aye. A wee bit.” Her soft voice was like music to his ears.
“I’m here with ye. Ye’ve nae a thing to fear, love.” He hoped that the warmth he was feeling towards Helene was shining from his eyes for her to see.
“I ken it. Yer a braw man, Dougall. I feel safe with ye.” She returned his smile.
It was a wonder to him that the curve of her lips in that soft, sweet way of hers could completely undo him. In all his years as a warrior, he’d never been defeated, even by the most ferocious of adversaries. They’d surely laugh in his face if they saw the way she made him melt. He would fight every one of them again to keep her safe. He vowed then and there, never to let anyone harm her. “Good. I never want ye to be afeared, Helene. I’ll always take care of ye.”
“Will we marry when we get to Castle Treun?” she asked.
“Aye. I believe so. I’m happy to have ye meet me Da, me brothers and me sister. Ye’ll meet me mother’s sister as well. She’s a sweet one, much like mother was.” He always got a little melancholy speaking of his mother. She was a bright light in his otherwise dark childhood. He was putting on a good show for Helene. He didn’t wish her to be any more apprehensive than she already was, but his Da and brothers were a rough lot. He wasn’t sure why he’d been called home, but it couldn’t be for anything good. Of that he was sure.
Logan rode up beside them, interrupting their conversation. “We’ll make good time today. The weather’s on our side.”
“Nary a cloud in the sky,” Dougall answered.
“Are ye enjoying the sights, Helene?” Logan asked.
“’Tis so verra beautiful,” she answered.
“I’ve seen it many times, but yet I’m always taken by it.” He sat tall in his saddle, scanning the area they travelled through.
“Are ye married, Logan?” Helene asked.
“Nay.”
“Why? Yer a handsome man. The lasses must love ye.” Helene thought him quite handsome, in fact. Not as handsome as her man, but she imagined he’d turn a head or two if he were at Breaghacraig.
“I have nay time fer it. Dougall’s father keeps me quite busy. I’m always off on some errand or another. I spend verra little time at the castle.”
“’Tis a shame.” She meant it and immediately started thinking of the lasses she knew who might be right for him.
“’Tis. I hope that someday I’ll be as lucky as Dougall and I’ll meet a lovely woman like yerself.”
“Soon, I hope.” Helene smiled warmly at Logan. She liked him. Dougall had explained that he was an old friend from his childhood and that he hadn’t seen him since he’d left Breaghacraig years ago. They’d picked up right where they’d left off. The regard they had for each other was obvious and she felt doubly safe with them both by her side.
* * *
“We’ve many miles to cover this day. Will ye be alright if we take the horses up to a trot for a while?” Dougall directed his question to Helene.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve ridden many times with Ashley, remember.” Helene tipped her head and cocked an eyebrow in Dougall’s direction.
“We’re off then,” Logan said, with a conspiratorial wink at Helene.
She sent her palfrey into a comfortable trot, but her much smaller horse was having a hard time keeping up with Dougall and Logan’s larger stallions.
“Wait fer us,” she called after them. Both men slowed to a walk and waited for her to catch up.
“Shall we try again?” Dougall asked, smiling indulgently at her.
