“I willna permit it. Trust in me, Cousin. I am not sending Duncan Munroe on his merry way. Three soldiers will escort him back to the isles, taking the longest and most dangerous route, of course. He willna be permitted to return to Dunrobin Castle, not now.”
Relief flooded Jamie. Protecting Lady Helen came naturally to him. Which gave him pause. Perhaps hehadbecome too involved with a woman he dinna know. Alex had a way of setting things right. Time away might help him regain control of his senses. And of course, bedding one of his pretty maidservants would cool his relentless lust. “All right,” he said, rising from the table. “I will go.”
Chapter Eleven
The next morning,Helen was awakened by loud voices in the corridor outside her chamber. She yawned and stretched, looking about the dimly lit room. The smell of fresh bread made her smile as she kicked her feet from under the heavy furs on her bed. Today was the first day she would enter the great hall vindicated, no longer an accused liar. That alone was worth rising early for.
“Lady Helen,” Miran said. “Ye must break yer fast quickly if ye wish to join Laird Alex in the bailey to see Duncan Monroe punished.”
Helen walked to the table where a platter of food waited and took a drink of water. She hadna learned of what happened to Duncan until she had dressed for bed. “I havena been permitted to watch such a display.”
“Has a man ever accused ye of anything before, milady?” Miran filled a carved drinking vessel with watered-down wine and offered it to her mistress. “I think Laird Alex wishes ye to witness his justice being carried out.”
“Will Lady Keely attend?” She sipped the wine and tasted the bread.
“Nay, she is overly tired from all the excitement yesterday. Laird Alex insisted she stay abed today.”
“And Master Jamie?” Helen shouldna ask so openly about him, but she couldna resist. His presence made her feel safe and comfortable, welcome within the walls of the MacKay keep.
“Nay. I am sorry,” Keely said sadly.
“Did something happen to him?” She set aside her food and stared anxiously at her maid.
“He isna here.”
“Miran, I doona need protection. If I ask ye a fair question, please answer me truthfully.”
“Milady…”
“I insist.” Helen sighed at her servant’s reluctant expression. “Were ye orderednotto tell me?”
“Nay.”
“Where is Jamie?”
“After Petro declared the signature on the contract a forgery, Master Jamie drank too much wine and visited Duncan in his cell.”
Helen closed her eyes, imagining a violent confrontation between the two men. “Is Jamie hurt?”
Miran chuckled. “Only his pride for being sent home by Laird Alex. He bloodied that coward with no effort, without the laird’s approval, of course. Unfortunately, it changed the laird’s original plan to keep Duncan locked up. Tis why he will suffer the sting of the whip, then get escorted back to the isles.”
Relieved that Jamie remained unharmed, she said, “Is Jamie’s home far from here?”
“Nay—half a day’s ride.”
“Have ye been there?” Helen asked as she slipped out of her nightdress.
“Aye, a group of women volunteered to help clean the old manor house before Master Jamie returned to the Highlands from his travels. It took months to restore it, but well worth the effort, milady. Tis a lovely home with expansive lands and a view of the mountains and firth. A wee loch even sits behind the fortalice. Any man would be proud to claim it. Any woman.” Miran gazed at her.
“I doona know what ye mean, Miran. Help me dress.”
The maid smiled, her capable hands securing Helen’s pale green, wool gown. “If I may say, milady, tis hard to overlook the way ye and Master Jamie stare at each other.”
“Miran!” Helen turned sharply, knowing she should chastise her for speaking so carelessly. But she couldna. Miran had the bluest, most honest eyes. And she genuinely cared about Helen. No matter the outcome of her future, she would ask Laird Alex if Miran could stay with her, even if she was forced to return to Dunrobin Castle. “I have nothing but admiration for Master Jamie.”
“I well know,” Miran said, directing her to sit on a chair so she could dress Helen’s hair. “But I remind ye, milady, there are a dozen women who wish the man had them in his sights.”
“Are ye agàirdean?”
