“We share a common enemy now,” Jamie said.
“Who?”
“Duncan Munroe will seek vengeance on me and yer father for killing his uncle.”
“Nay,” Collin said. “Duncan Munroe is a coward and owes us his life, for he is now laird.” Collin dinna wait for Jamie to dismiss him; he turned away and started for the doors.
“Collin!” Helen couldna stay quiet any longer. She ran to her brother, and Collin opened his arms.
“Helen,” he soothed. “Live well, sister. Who would have believed ye to be the one to remind our sire what true love really is?” He kissed her cheeks, took another long look at her, then walked out of the hall.
Chapter Twenty-Six
His beautiful wifecouldna hold back her tears, so Jamie went to her, scooped her into his arms, and carried her abovestairs. She had suffered enough. Though she had been wrong for disobeying his orders, her motivation had come from the heart. For that, he loved her even more, if that was possible.
They curled up on the bed together, Helen holding the missive from her father.
“Will ye read it now?” Jamie asked.
“Nay, I am not ready.”
“Tomorrow?”
“I doona know.”
“What if the words ye’ve been waiting to hear from yer da all yer life are contained in the missive?”
She gazed at him, tears still fresh in her eyes. “Why did Collin leave? I doona understand.”
Jamie wished he had the answer. “Perhaps he will come back after he has fulfilled yer sire’s wishes. Collin doesna strike me as the kind of man who would forget his only sister. I saw the love in his eyes, Helen, heard what he told ye about ye being the one to remind yer father what true love really is.”
She sniffled. “I doona know if I can forgive the earl for using me to gain ships. Or my brother for going along with it.”
Jamie hugged her. “The earl is a selfish man, he gambled with yer life. I canna respect a man who doesna think of his family first. Yet, he let ye stay with me. As for the gold, what would ye have me do with it?”
“Tis yers.”
“Nay. I doona want the earl’s gold. How much blood did he spill to get it?”
Helen sat up. “Could we use it to help the poorest crofters? To make improvements to their cottages? To buy them warmer clothes and shoes?”
Jamie smiled at her enthusiasm and kindness. “Not to purchase silk gowns and slippers for ye? Perhaps a new mare? Rich furnishings?”
Helen slapped his chest playfully. “If the earl is sending my things, I will have everything I need, Jamie. Even if I dinna, I want to share our happiness and good fortune with our people.”
“Say the last part again.”
“Our people?”
“Aye. Ye’re a MacKay now, lass. And I like hearing ye sayourpeople.”
“I am sorry for what I did, Jamie. I doona know if I can make it up to ye and Kuresh, or the other men.”
Jamie rubbed her back. “Promise never to risk yer life again or to strike Kuresh, for he comes from a place where women canna even look a man in the eyes without being punished.”
“He is a proud man.”
“Verra,” Jamie said.
