“Master Jamie?” Miran clicked her tongue. “Twould be easier to bleed a rock than get that man to speak ill of ye.”
“What do ye mean?” Helen snapped her head up, staring at the maid in shock.
“Lady Helen,” Miran said. “I overheard yer words with him at the loch.”
Helen’s shoulders sagged as she couldna deny her guilt at speaking so boldly with a man she hardly knew. “I am sorry for it.”
“Doona be. Ye have attracted the best protector on MacKay lands, with the exception of our laird, of course. Master Jamie doesna warm easily to women.”
“Nay?” Curiosity wracked her mind, perhaps even a hint of jealousy. What kind of woman did Jamie like? She’d be fearless and beautiful, of course, everything Helen wasn’t—everything she wished she could be.
“Many have tried to win his heart, none have succeeded.”
“Did ye?”
“Nay, mistress!”
“And why not? Ye are a pretty girl—smart.”
Miran held her head high. “Thank ye, but I will save myself for the right man. A promise I made to my mam and da a long time ago.”
Helen reached across the space between them and patted the maid’s hand. “Ye are a dutiful woman, Miran. I will make sure Laird Alex knows what a faithful servant he has in ye.”
“Thank ye, Lady Helen.”
A knock on the door ended their conversation, and Miran jumped up. “Shall I answer?”
“Aye.”
But the door opened before Miran reached it, and Keely stepped inside the chamber.
Helen squealed delightedly and stood up. “Sweetest Keely, why are ye out of bed?”
Keely closed the door, then smiled at her friend. “I dinna break my bones, Helen—I gave birth. The midwife recommended a short walk, so I chose to visit ye.”
Helen rushed into her arms, holding on tight. “Ye have grown more beautiful, more feminine than ever I remember.”
Keely clung to her friend, too. “I missed ye so much.”
“And I, ye.” Helen pulled back, keeping Keely at arm’s length so she could see her clearly. “Twins?” Helen gently patted Keely’s stomach.
“Aye. Both are sleeping soundly. John and Rebecca.”
“Please.” Helen took Keely by the hand and led her to one of the chairs by the fire. “Sit with me. Miran, a glass of wine for Lady Keely.”
Once Keely was comfortable, Helen sat down. “Laird Alex is a handsome man. Ye are blessed above many women to have made such a match.”
“God gave us both a second chance. And our babes…” Tears wet the corners of her eyes. “We both hated each other at first, I think. So much left unsettled between us. And when Alex and my family found out where I had been…”
“Aye. My father is no friend to many of the clans in the Highlands. They fear him instead of respecting him.”
“Then nothing has changed at Dunrobin Castle?”
Helen shook her head. “If anything, he has grown more stubborn, more selfish.”
“But he loves ye dearly.”
“As long as I obey without question.”
