by Jennae Vale
The journey that lay ahead of them was one filled with uncertainty in Helene’s mind. She hoped Dougall’s family accepted her. He was to be laird one day and they may have objection to the fact that she was a lowly servant. She’d tried not to think about that too much, but it had weighed heavily on her mind for some time before he’d asked her to be his wife. She thought that may have been the reason it had taken him so long to ask her and now that she’d given herself to Dougall, all those doubts were back. Had this been a mistake? Should she have waited to be sure they would wed. No. How could sharing yourself with the one you loved be a mistake? She did her best to calm her racing thoughts as Dougall slept peacefully beside her, seemingly without a care in the world. Perhaps if she closed her eyes she, too, could sleep.
Dougall had Helene safely nestled against his body as the first rays of morning sunlight peeked through the trees. He was awake and so was his desire. He gently coaxed Helene out of her sleep with kisses to her neck and shoulder.
“Mmmm…” she mumbled, turning to face him. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, me love.” Dougall brushed an errant hair from her eyes so he could better see into the beautiful blue depths of them as they gazed lovingly back at him.
He wanted her again this morning. How could he resist? She was so lovely and so willing. Helene made the first move, surprising him, but never one to get left behind, Dougall joined in, kissing her throat and chest and working his way to her breasts.
A sound, not too far off, caught his attention and he stopped to listen. He felt Helene stiffen in his arms and he wished to put her at ease.
“Logan, if ’tis ye, come back in a while.” Dougall called out.
The noise continued and he recognized the sound as that of two or perhaps three horses headed their way. He sprang to his feet, wrapping himself in his plaid, while helping Helene cover herself completely with the one they’d slept on. “Hurry. Riders are approaching.” He grabbed her clothes and guided her behind the largest tree he could find. “Stay here and get dressed.”
He went back to the fire, which he stirred and added more wood to. Where is Logan? He was sure he would be along shortly, but in the meantime he would have to deal with these unexpected guests on his own. He peered in the direction the sounds came from and could make out three figures on horseback heading his way. They looked familiar to him, although he couldn’t be sure until they got closer. He brandished his sword and stood ready and waiting for whatever this morning was bringing.
The center rider, spoke first. “Dougall! ’Tis good to see ye,” a woman’s voice said. She must have noted his confusion, because she said, “’Tis I, yer wee sister Brenna.”
“Aye. And yer wee brothers as well,” the lad on her left added with a chuckle.
“What are ye doing here?” Dougall couldn’t keep the shock from his voice.
“Da sent us to see what was taking Logan so long. He wished to be sure he’d found ye.” Dougall was amazed at how much his brothers had grown in the past five years. The youngest, Liam had to be four and ten, while Nab must be six and ten. They dismounted and walked his way.
Brenna left her horse and hurried to Dougall for a hug. “I’ve missed ye, brother. Why have ye been away so long?” she asked. Brenna was five years older than Nab.
“I have been needed at Breaghacraig,” he lied. He didn’t wish to tell them that since their mother had passed on, he had no desire to see their Da. “Where’s Fingall?”
“He’s busy at home,” Brenna said.
Fingall was a few years younger than Dougall and had always been more interested in the lassies of the castle than in anything else.
“Where’s Logan?” Brenna glanced around her. “And who’s that hiding behind the tree.” She pointed in Helene’s direction.
“Helene,” Dougall called. “Ye can come out. ’Tis only me sister, Brenna, and me brothers.” He walked towards the tree, just as she emerged to take his hand. “This be Helene. She’s me betrothed.”
All three glanced back and forth, appearing astonished at this news, before Brenna came forward. “’Tis pleased I be to meet ye, Helene. I be Brenna. This is me brother Liam and me brother Nab.”
Helene nodded to them and quietly stood by Dougall’s side.
“Ye still havenae told me where Logan is,” Brenna said.
“If ye look behind ye, I believe ye’ll see him headed this way with our breakfast.” Dougall spied Logan carrying a large trout, which he’d skewered on a stick.
“Good morn to ye,” Logan called. “We have company. Where did ye come from?”
“I believe ye ken where we came from ye big oaf,” Brenna said.
“Ye wound me, fair Brenna,” Logan teased.
“Aye, well me Da willnae be too happy to hear that ye’ve been wasting yer time fishing instead of getting back home.”
“A man must eat,” Logan said as he set the fish over the fire to cook. “Are ye nae hungry? Because if ye arenae, there will be more fer me.”
The lads left their horses and made themselves comfortable around the fire. “We’re verra hungry.”
“Well then, me portion has just diminished greatly.” Dougall watched his friend make a comically sad face as his brothers laughed. Brenna on the other hand had little patience for Logan’s antics and she let them all know with a scowl.
Brenna sat next to Helene and did nothing to cover the fact that she was examining her from head to toe. For her part, Helene self-consciously fixed her hair and her dress.
“How long have ye known me brother?” Brenna asked.
“Brenna mayhap ye should save yer questions fer later,” Dougall suggested, receiving an angry glare from his wee sister.
“’Tis fine, Dougall. I dinnae mind,” Helene sweetly replied. “We’ve known each other for a many, many years.”
“Do ye love him?”
“Brenna!” Dougall wasn’t sure what she was up to, but he thought her questions rude.
“I do,” Helene answered. “Verra much.”
Brenna nodded her head, then narrowed her eyes and aimed her comments at her brother. “Why have ye nae told us of this? Why did ye nae send word?” She seemed angry with him and he wasn’t sure what to attribute it to.
“Me relationship with Helene is none of yer business. Do ye ken? Enough of yer bothersome questions, lass. Eat, so we can be on our way.” Dougall’s blood was boiling. If they could expect more of the same upon their arrival at Castle Treun, then he’d made a grievous error in bringing Helene along with him.
Liam, Nab and Logan sat silently eating their fish. It was apparent they wished no part of this conversation. His sister, however, continued to stare daggers at him.
Chapter 4
“Ye shouldnae be so hard on yer poor sister, Dougall,” Helene said. “She’s just concerned fer ye.”
“She’s always been a little spitfire. Age hasnae changed a thing,” Dougall noted. “She seems to like ye though.”
“Aye, and I like her as well. She’s been verra sweet to me. We’ve talked much today as we’ve ridden.”
“What have ye told her?” Dougall seemed concerned.
“Dinnae fear, I’ve nae spoken much of our love, if that’s what worries ye.” She examined his face, looking for a clue as to what might be concerning him. He was good at masking his feelings. Something he’d mastered as a warrior, where it was most important.
“We’ll camp two more nights before arriving at Castle Treun,” Dougall said as he scouted their surroundings. “Logan, I think we’ll make camp here tonight.” He drew his horse to a halt and the others followed his lead.
Liam and Nab were off their horses in a split second. Logan reached up to help Brenna, but she was having none of it as she slapped his hands away and hopped off on her own, causing Helene to stifle a giggle. Dougall lifted Helene from her saddle and gently placed her on the ground, taking a moment to quickly kiss her, before he left her standing there wondering what was wrong. His kiss ma
de Helene’s heart sing, but she was worried he may have been embarrassed by her in front of his family. He’d not touched her at all since they’d woken that morning. She couldn’t imagine what it was about his family’s arrival that had put him in such a bad mood, but this was a side to him she’d never seen before.
The men made camp while Helene and Brenna found a comfortable spot to sit. “Are ye excited to see Castle Treun, Helene?” Brenna asked.
She wasn’t sure how to answer that. She was excited to see Dougall’s boyhood home, and not necessarily excited to meet his father, so instead she said, “It will be good to see yer home.”
The men had the fire blazing, unpacked the saddle bags and laid out the plaids for sleeping. A simple meal was prepared from the items they’d each brought, leaving enough for breaking their fast in the morning.
After the meal, Dougall continued to keep his distance, so Helene and Brenna sat quietly together. Helene wasn’t sure if she was sleeping with Dougall or if she’d be on her own. She could see why he wouldn’t wish to have his brothers and sisters know they’d been intimate before being wed, and if that was the case, she would be fine.
“Helene, yer hair is so pretty. Could ye help me with mine?” Brenna asked.
Happy to have something to occupy herself, Helene eagerly obliged. She retrieved her comb and brush from her things and took down Brenna’s hair, brushing it to a lustrous shine as had been her habit each night with Ashley and Jenna. She relaxed as she worked. “In the morning I’ll braid it fer ye. ’Twill be lovely.”
“Brenna, how dare ye force Helene to brush yer hair. She’s nae yer lady’s maid.” Dougall interrupted the serenity Helene was feeling as he reprimanded his sister.
“I ken she isnae. Her hair is so pretty I asked if she’d help with mine. I dinnae understand why yer making such a fuss.” Brenna yelled back.
“Dougall, yer sister didnae force me to do anything. I did it because I wished to, please dinnae be angry with her.” Helene was confused. “I am a lady’s maid. If yer embarrassed by that, then ye shouldnae have asked me to wed ye.” She turned away, anger causing her eyes to tear.
“Helene, I am nae embarrassed that yer a lady’s maid. I love ye. I dinnae wish me family to take advantage of ye tis all. Ye’ll be Lady MacRae someday, I promise ye. When ye are, ye’ll be the one having her hair brushed.”
She couldn’t help but think that despite his words, he was embarrassed that she was a lady’s maid. There was no denying she was overstepping her bounds. She could never truly be a Lady and it had been foolish of her to think she could. She’d been treated with great kindness at Breaghacraig, but she understood the MacKenzies were unusual in their treatment of the servants. Irene, Ashley and Jenna were put on a pedestal and treated with great respect by everyone, but as a lady’s maid, Helene knew her place in the castle to be very different. She wasn’t one of them and she didn’t deserve the same respect they garnered. The people at Castle Treun would never accept her as the Lady she wished to be and it would only be a matter of time before Dougall realized he’d made a mistake by marrying her.
He seemed to be reading her mind because his next words touched her heart and gave her hope. “Love, I ken ye feel as if ye werenae meant to be a Lady, but ye must believe me when I tell ye that I love ye fer who ye are. Ye will be me Lady and I dare anyone to treat ye otherwise.”
“Dougall, when yer Laird MacRae and I’m yer Lady, I will still want to help. I cannae stop doing what I’ve done fer so long. The women at Breaghacraig all help each other and I wish to be like them.”
He wrapped her in his arms, kissing the top of her head. “I would never ask ye to be anyone but who ye are.” He turned to his sister then. “Brenna, me apologies. I shouldnae have been angry with ye. Please forgive me behavior.”
“I forgive ye, Dougall. Yer me big brother and I love ye. I had no idea Helene was a lady’s maid. I would never take advantage of her kind nature.” Brenna threw her arms around her brother’s waist and hugged him, a hug which he returned, kissing her head. “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.”
Helene and Dougall watched as she walked away. “Where will I be sleeping tonight, Dougall?”
“With me, Helene. Where else would ye be sleeping?” Dougall asked. He put an arm around her and led her to the bedding he’d laid out for them.
They snuggled together covered in their plaid. Through the canopy of trees they spied the stars brilliantly shining above them. “Arenae they beautiful?” Helene asked.
“They’re nae as beautiful as ye, Helene.” He pointed to the sky. “Look, ’tis a shooting star. Shall we make a wish?”
“Aye. Dinnae say it aloud.” Helene wished for a life filled with happiness and the love of Dougall MacRae.
“Gather yer things. We’ve another full day of riding and another night of camping before we’ll be at Castle Treun.” Dougall checked the horses, made sure their fire was out and they hadn’t left anything behind.
Dougall helped Helene mount her horse before mounting his and had to laugh when he noticed Logan moving towards Brenna to help her – then retreating when he saw the frown on her face. She was perfectly capable of mounting her own horse, which she did with ease.
“Are ye ready, me love?” Dougall asked Helene, making sure she was securely in the saddle. He wanted to be sure she was comfortable. She wasn’t used to being in the saddle this long or to sleeping on the ground in the cold and he was worried she might be feeling it.
“I be fine, Dougall.” She reassured him with her bright smile.
He was learning much about Helene on this journey. She was much stronger than he’d thought. She hadn’t complained once. His admiration for her continued to grow with every mile they traversed.
Logan rode at the rear of their tiny party, trading jabs with Liam and Nab. Their laughter adding levity to their travels. Brenna and Helene rode with Dougall. The road followed the same stream they camped beside on their first night and was a guide for them to follow as it ran all the way to Castle Treun.
By midday, it was apparent that everyone was in need of food and time out of the saddle. Dougall stopped and dismounted and the others all followed.
“I need to walk a bit,” Brenna said.
“Dinnae wander far,” Dougall instructed.
“I’ll go with ye,” Helene said, joining Brenna.
Dougall raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Be careful, love.”
“We will,” Brenna giggled, answering for Helene.
“We shouldnae go too far,” Helene reminded Brenna of her brother’s words.
“Just a wee bit further. I’m tired of me brothers and Logan. I need some time away from them and the further the better.”
They continued walking on the path that led through the trees and to the banks of the stream.
“Let’s sit here,” Brenna suggested.
Helene was happy to sit. She hadn’t wanted to go any further. An uneasy feeling had come over her being this far away from Dougall. They were no longer within sight of the others and Helene didn’t care for the fact that the density of the trees made it impossible to see more than a foot beyond the tree line.
A noise behind them caused Helene to jump. “What was that?” she asked. The wind had picked up, whipping through the trees and Helene wasn’t sure if what she was hearing was the trees or something else. “We should go back, Brenna.” She stood, waiting for Brenna to join her.
“Nae. Just a small while longer. Please.” Brenna continued to sit, staring at the stream.
“Something doesnae feel right to me. I think ’tis best to go back.” The hairs on the back of Helene’s neck were standing and she was becoming more and more uneasy.
The words no sooner left her mouth than they were accosted by two men brandishing knives. “Today’s our lucky day, Ailen.” The man grabbed Helene and held his knife to her throat. “Not a sound from ye or yer friend.” The smell of him was enough to make Helene gag.
Ailen grabb
ed Brenna, dragging her up from her spot by the stream. She tried to fight him, but he was much stronger than she.
“Don’t hurt her,” Helene yelled. A dirty hand covered her mouth in response.
“Keep yer mouth shut and ye’ll nae be hurt,” the smelly one said.
“What do ye want?” Brenna cried.
“We want ye.” Ailen laughed.
Brenna struggled again, trying to free herself, but Ailen had her in his iron grip. Helene did her best to stay calm. There had to be a way to at least yell loudly enough for Dougall to hear them. Where was he? Why hadn’t he come to look for them yet?
The unnamed man removed his filthy hand from her mouth just long enough to toss a rope to Ailen, who apparently intended to tie them up. With her captor’s grip loosened, Helene took the opportunity to stomp on his foot and spin out of his grasp, running towards Dougall and the men. “Dougall! Dougall! Help!” she yelled as she was tackled from behind by the smelly one. She wriggled and squirmed to get out from beneath him.
“Get off of her,” Brenna yelled. “Leave her alone.”
Helene felt herself being dragged across the ground by the ankle. She kicked with her free leg and made contact, which was followed by a loud thud to her right. She struggled unsuccessfully to see through the hair covering her eyes. Sounds of running, then a cry of pain were followed by silence and then a pair of gentle hands lifted her to her feet.