Sometimes she thought it might be better not to know how far her father’s treachery stretched across the northern Highlands. As the wealthiest and most powerful noble in the region, Helen thought her sire had a responsibility to make peace with the lesser clans, not use his superiority against them. “If he is to blame for the deaths of Miran’s parents, I am incomprehensibly angry and sad.”
“Nothing can change it, Lady Helen.”
“Nay, but I can work doubly hard to make sure the lass has a good life.”
“Miran isna like other women her age. She’s stubborn and outspoken. And has a dowry large enough to attract any man she wants.”
“Truly?”
“Her father was a merchant. He travelled to Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, and Paris, selling his wares and our wool.”
“I wish her every happiness, Jamie. I’ve begged her to come with me wherever I must go.”
“And what did she say?”
“This is her home.”
“She’s verra loyal.”
“And inscrutable!”
“Aye, that she is.”
“Where shall we walk today?” Helen asked, hoping to lighten the mood between them. It seemed no matter where she went, her father’s notoriety overshadowed her.
“I doona wish to walk anywhere,” he said, facing her. “This place holds special significance for us, aye?”
She gazed across the loch, then at the woods surrounding the area. Aye, they’d spent much time together there. Shared their first kiss, had their first argument, and discussed everything under the sun and moon. “Aye,” she agreed.
“Then I wish to stay here.”
“As ye wish, Jamie.” She gazed at him, worried that something had happened. “Is Ramsey well?”
The corners of his lips hitched up. “The lad is strong and healthy.”
“What about his grandmother?”
“She wishes to stay here, to help raise him.” Jamie combed his fingers through his hair. “I admit, at first I dinna like the idea. But after seeing the way she cares for the lad, I dinna have the heart to say no. Truthfully, I doona know anything about raising a bairn.”
“Doona be so critical of yerself,” she offered, thinking of Keely and Miran’s kind words to her. “Ye’ll learn quickly. Besides, I think ye’re already a good father. Look at how considerate ye are, letting Nudar stay.”
“She’s a soothsayer—Kuresh calls her a witch.”
“There are plenty of seers in the Highlands, what harm in adding another?”
“Helen…” He touched her cheek, his adoration more real than she had ever seen.
“What troubles ye, Jamie?”
“Everything,” he began. “Not knowing where we’ll end up. Not knowing what yer father intends to do with ye.”
“I understand.” Better than he’d ever know. Females dinna have the luxury of making choices for themselves. She lived at the mercy of her sire and brothers, and now Laird Alex. That uncertainty made her feel like she was walking on eggshells every day.
“Do ye believe in fate, Helen?”
“Perhaps a little. But I believe in God’s providence more. That everyone and everything has a purpose.”
Jamie scooped up a handful of snow. “Even this?”
