“Then ye’ll join me,” Alexander said, his tone more authoritative than coaxing. “We’ll head to the forest. It’s a fair day anyway.”
Helena hesitated, surprised by his suggestion, but she nodded. “Aye, I’d like that.”
Moments later, they rode side by side, the rhythmic clop of hooves blending with the soft rustle of trees. The forest opened into a small glade near the lake, sunlight shimmering on the water’s surface.
“It’s peaceful here,” Helena noted quietly.
“Aye,” Alexander agreed. “It’s why I come here—to clear me head. Ye said ye liked ridin’. Did yer aunt Sophia teach ye?”
Helena shook her head, smiling faintly. “Aunt Sophia’s more like a maither than an aunt. She looked after me when… well, when things were difficult.”
Alexander glanced at her, curiosity flickering in his hazel eyes. “And Broderic? Ian? What was it like growin’ up with them?”
Helena stiffened, her fingers tightening on the reins. “I dinnae want to talk about them.”
His jaw tightened, and his voice became clipped. “Very well.”
The ride back was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Helena’s mind swirled with guilt and anger, her past haunting her every step.
When they reached the stables, Lorna hurried to meet them, her face flushed. “Me Laird, Me Lady—yer aunt has arrived.”
Helena dismounted quickly, her heart racing. She nodded, avoiding Alexander’s gaze as they headed to the castle. His silence felt heavier than words, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d built yet another wall between them.
“Ye’ll want to meet them in the yard, I suppose?” Lorna asked, out of breath.
“Aye,” Alexander replied, falling into step with her. Helena was already bouncing out the door, as excited as a child on Christmas morning. “Is everythin’ prepared as ye and the lady discussed?”
“Yes, Me Laird. All is ready for Lady Sophia’s arrival. The maids have prepared the room between Lady Alice’s and Lady MacAllister’s, and the cook has prepared quite a feast for this evening in her honor.”
Lorna fell back a step behind him as they followed Helena into the courtyard. Alice and Michael met them at the staircase to greet Sophia.
Five riders passed under the great wooden archway, their green travel cloaks glistening over their great black horses. None of them wore nor carried Clan MacPherson banners. No wagon loaded with trunks followed behind them. For all intents and purposes, they were simple travelers like any other.
“I see that Chester still doesnae trust us. Sendin’ a small, unmarked, unnoticeable group instead of liveried guards with the lady,” Michael remarked in a low voice.
But Helena heard him. She doubted that was the case—her father had always been cheap. He had refused to buy her new clothes for over two years, or shoes after she’d outgrown them.
She suppressed a grin as Alice elbowed her middle brother in the ribs with ashh.Alexander simply nodded with a strained sigh.
Helena was barely able to contain her excitement as her aunt handed the reins of her horse to a stable boy, bouncing to her and pulling her in a long hug, squealing in delight.
Sophia held her niece tightly so their exchange wouldn’t be heard by those surrounding them.
“Are ye all right, lass?” she asked, her voice full of concern. Nervous energy radiated from her.
Helena pulled away enough to look into her eyes. “I promise, I am being well cared for. Alexander has been wonderful, and his siblings are wonderful,” she assured her, smiling happily.
“Yer last letter piqued me curiosity,” Sophia admitted. “Ye’re nae lyin’ to me, are ye, dear?”
“Nay,” Helena insisted. “He is nothin’ like we thought. Marryin’ him was nay hardship. I married him because I truly love him.”
Sophia only allowed her shock at that revelation to show for the briefest of moments before plastering on a tense smile. Helena felt horrible about lying to her aunt, especially after the loss of Ian.
Sophia didn’t show her distaste, though. She glanced from Helena to the black-haired beast of a man she now called kin.
“How can that be? Have ye so quickly forgotten the sins of the man? He is a brute who killed yer braither and cousin.” She kept her voice low, her fake smile fixed in place.
Helena understood her aunt’s resistance to the idea that she truly cared for her husband. Alexander and his family were responsible for her son’s death; she knew it would take time for her to see him as anything beyond a murderer.
