“On what terms?”
“Her father made a betrothal she refuses to honor.”
Jamie shook his head. “Tis always the beauties that get sold off to the ugliest bastards in the Highlands.”
“She is welcome here for as long as she wishes to stay. Because she treated Keely with kindness and grace, I willna put her out. But ye…” Alex’s expression grew serious. “Are to stay away from her. She is under my protection now.”
Jamie cast a fleeting glance at Helen, then eyed Alex again. “Whatever ye say, Cousin.”
Instead of leaving through the front doors, he stalked down the corridor into the kitchens.
Alex knew Jamie wouldna stay away from Helen. For the last two years he’d tried to find a suitable wife for his cousin, but no one had captured his interest, until tonight. And that interest could cost his clan dearly. For once the Earl of Sutherland found out where his daughter was, the tentative peace they’d reached–after Alex returned his thief-of-a-bastard-son to him and explained how Struan had been robbing his noble guests on the road to Dunrobin–the treaty would be irrevocably broken.
So anything Alex could do to safeguard Helen should be done immediately.
He joined Helen by the hearth again. “I’ve arranged for food and yer room.”
“Thank ye for yer generosity,” she said.
“I will post guards outside the door to keep ye safe, Lady Helen. In case someone followed ye and wishes ye harm.”
Alex knew the lady could see through his lie. He had every intention of keeping her in that bedchamber to protect himself and his clan. “Good night,” Alex said, leaving her to return to his beloved wife.
Clan MacKay had enjoyed peace for two years, and he supposed it was time to shake things up again. He was always itching for a good fight. And just like Helen of Troy, Helen Sutherland had the face of an angel, the kind of beauty that could inspire men to kill each other.
That made him think of Jamie, again.
Aye, he must do whatever it took to keep him away from Helen Sutherland, so help him God.
THE END
