Helene laysnuggly in Dougall’s arms, feeling safe and secure. She wanted to stay there forever. Smiling and red faced at the thought of their lovemaking, she burrowed closer to Dougall, who turned to face her and pulled her further in to the protection of his body. The fire crackled and warmed, but she hadn’t noticed it until this very moment. It was as if they had been sheltered in a cocoon of love and desire, which burst open into the quiet sounds of a woodland forest at night. Dougall had been a kind and thoughtful lover. This being her first time, she had been frightened, although she tried not to show it, and Dougall took care not to hurt her. He took his time and loved her the way she’d always known he would. This was a night she would relive in her mind over and over again. She loved Dougall so much - she hoped he knew how much. He was her handsome highland warrior - fierce on the battlefield, but always soft and sweet with her.
The journey that lay ahead of them was one filled with uncertainty in Helene’s mind. She hoped Dougall’s family accepted her. He was to be laird one day and they may have objection to the fact that she was a lowly servant. She’d tried not to think about that too much, but it had weighed heavily on her mind for some time before he’d asked her to be his wife. She thought that may have been the reason it had taken him so long to ask her and now that she’d given herself to Dougall, all those doubts were back. Had this been a mistake? Should she have waited to be sure they would wed. No. How could sharing yourself with the one you loved be a mistake? She did her best to calm her racing thoughts as Dougall slept peacefully beside her, seemingly without a care in the world. Perhaps if she closed her eyes she, too, could sleep.
Dougall hadHelene safely nestled against his body as the first rays of morning sunlight peeked through the trees. He was awake and so was his desire. He gently coaxed Helene out of her sleep with kisses to her neck and shoulder.
“Mmmm…” she mumbled, turning to face him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, me love.” Dougall brushed an errant hair from her eyes so he could better see into the beautiful blue depths of them as they gazed lovingly back at him.
He wanted her again this morning. How could he resist? She was so lovely and so willing. Helene made the first move, surprising him, but never one to get left behind, Dougall joined in, kissing her throat and chest and working his way to her breasts.
A sound, not too far off, caught his attention and he stopped to listen. He felt Helene stiffen in his arms and he wished to put her at ease.
“Logan, if ’tis ye, come back in a while.” Dougall called out.
The noise continued and he recognized the sound as that of two or perhaps three horses headed their way. He sprang to his feet, wrapping himself in his plaid, while helping Helene cover herself completely with the one they’d slept on. “Hurry. Riders are approaching.” He grabbed her clothes and guided her behind the largest tree he could find. “Stay here and get dressed.”
He went back to the fire, which he stirred and added more wood to.Where is Logan?He was sure he would be along shortly, but in the meantime he would have to deal with these unexpected guests on his own. He peered in the direction the sounds came from and could make out three figures on horseback heading his way. They looked familiar to him, although he couldn’t be sure until they got closer. He brandished his sword and stood ready and waiting for whatever this morning was bringing.
The center rider, spoke first. “Dougall! ’Tis good to see ye,” a woman’s voice said. She must have noted his confusion, because she said, “’Tis I, yer wee sister Brenna.”
“Aye. And yer wee brothers as well,” the lad on her left added with a chuckle.
“What are ye doing here?” Dougall couldn’t keep the shock from his voice.
“Da sent us to see what was taking Logan so long. He wished to be sure he’d found ye.” Dougall was amazed at how much his brothers had grown in the past five years. The youngest, Liam had to be four and ten, while Nab must be six and ten. They dismounted and walked his way.
Brenna left her horse and hurried to Dougall for a hug. “I’ve missed ye, brother. Why have ye been away so long?” she asked. Brenna was five years older than Nab.
“I have been needed at Breaghacraig,” he lied. He didn’t wish to tell them that since their mother had passed on, he had no desire to see their Da. “Where’s Fingall?”
“He’s busy at home,” Brenna said.
Fingall was a few years younger than Dougall and had always been more interested in the lassies of the castle than in anything else.
“Where’s Logan?” Brenna glanced around her. “And who’s that hiding behind the tree.” She pointed in Helene’s direction.
“Helene,” Dougall called. “Ye can come out. ’Tis only me sister, Brenna, and me brothers.” He walked towards the tree, just as she emerged to take his hand. “This be Helene. She’s me betrothed.”
All three glanced back and forth, appearing astonished at this news, before Brenna came forward. “’Tis pleased I be to meet ye, Helene. I be Brenna. This is me brother Liam and me brother Nab.”
Helene nodded to them and quietly stood by Dougall’s side.
“Ye still havenae told me where Logan is,” Brenna said.
“If ye look behind ye, I believe ye’ll see him headed this way with our breakfast.” Dougall spied Logan carrying a large trout, which he’d skewered on a stick.
“Good morn to ye,” Logan called. “We have company. Where did ye come from?”
“I believe ye ken where we came from ye big oaf,” Brenna said.
“Ye wound me, fair Brenna,” Logan teased.
“Aye, well me Da willnae be too happy to hear that ye’ve been wasting yer time fishing instead of getting back home.”
“A man must eat,” Logan said as he set the fish over the fire to cook. “Are ye nae hungry? Because if ye arenae, there will be more fer me.”
The lads left their horses and made themselves comfortable around the fire. “We’re verra hungry.”
