After a long silence, Felicia murmured, “Ye’ll never understand the pain I’ve felt.”
“I ken,” Helena said, her voice still soft. “Me braither and me cousin, who was like a braither to me, a favorite braither… Ye think ye’re the only one who has lost her loved ones? I betrayed me faither, left me only home to live with me enemy. Can ye nae see the sacrifice I have made?”
“Ye cannae put yerself in me shoes, Helena. Ye cannae ken me pain fully…”
Helena nodded solemnly, understanding that Felicia had lost everything. “Ye’re right. I cannae. But I promise ye, Felicia, I’ll do everythin’ I can to make sure that nay one else has to feel that pain because of me or me family.”
Felicia said nothing, her gaze dropping to the glove in her hands.
Helena stood there for a moment longer, the weight of their exchange settling heavily on her. She had no illusions that she’d won Felicia over, but perhaps she’d planted a seed of understanding.
With a quiet sigh, she moved to the desk and gathered the ledger, the stack of letters, and some writing supplies. She turned to leave, pausing in the doorway to glance back at Felicia.
“I’ll leave ye to yer thoughts,” she said softly. “But if ye ever want to talk, I’m here.”
Felicia didn’t respond, her focus remaining on the glove.
Helena’s heart ached as she shut the door quietly behind her. She leaned against it for a moment, exhaling shakily. Her encounter with Felicia had left her feeling raw, but it had also strengthened her resolve. She would do everything in her power to make things right.
Pushing off the door, she walked a few steps down the corridor to Alexander’s dressing room. She pulled a clean shirt from the wardrobe, running her fingers over the soft fabric. Her thoughts lingered on Felicia’s anguish and how deeply the girl’s pain resonated within her.
As she left the dressing room with the shirt draped over her arm, she cast one last glance toward the study. The door remained closed, and she hoped that Felicia would find some solace in her grief.
Helena made her way back to Alexander’s chambers, her steps measured but purposeful. Her guilt over her family’s actions weighed heavily on her, but her determination to heal the wounds they’d caused burned brighter than ever.
“Helena,” Alice called as she emerged from Alexander’s chamber. She studied Helena’s face, her eyes narrowing. “What’s wrong?”
Helena just smiled sadly, not responding as she continued into the chamber to check on Alexander.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“How’s this?”
Helena adjusted the pillows behind Alexander, her hands gentle but firm as she ensured his comfort. He had been recovering well, his strength slowly returning, though she and Alice still refused to let him venture beyond his chamber.
“Ye fuss too much,” Alexander muttered, though there was a trace of amusement in his voice.
He leaned back against the fluffy pillows, his hazel eyes watching her closely.
“I fuss exactly as much as I need to,” Helena countered with a playful smile, smoothing the blanket over his lap. “Ye’re healin’ well, but I willnae have ye undoin’ all of me hard work by pushin’ yerself too hard.”
Alexander chuckled, the sound low and rich, as he reached for her hand. “And here I thought I was the Laird.”
She blushed faintly, squeezing his hand before pulling away to retrieve a fresh set of clothes she had brought from his dressing room earlier. “Ye are the Laird, and that’s precisely why ye need to be cared for properly.”
Alexander smirked, his hazel eyes twinkling with amusement as he leaned back, watching her fuss over him. “So, ye think I need proper care, do ye?” His voice was smooth, teasing, his gaze never leaving hers.
Helena huffed, straightening the collar of his shirt, refusing to meet his eyes. “Aye. A castle without its laird is like a ship without its captain. And ye cannae command much if ye’re bleedin’ through yer bandages.”
He caught her wrist, his touch firm but warm. “I prefer a stronger hand on the helm, lass.” He pulled her a bit closer, his voice dropping. “Do ye mean to take charge, then?”
Heat crept up her neck, but she refused to let him fluster her. “If it means keepin’ ye from doin’ somethin’ reckless again, then aye.”
Alexander chuckled, his fingers brushing over the inside of her wrist before he released her. “A bold claim.”
She lifted her chin, trying to ignore the way her pulse fluttered under his touch. “Once ye’re properly dressed, I was thinkin’ we might play a game of cards.”
His smirk widened. “A game, is it? And what stakes are we playin’ for?”
