All of the men froze.
“Is she…” Alex started.
The cry of a baby broke the spell.
Laird Oliphant grinned and stepped aside. “Now ye can go in.”
Alex would deal with the man later. He opened the door and his gaze instantly found his beautiful wife. She was propped up on a pile of pillows, and she smiled at him as soon as she saw him.
“Alex.” She opened her arms.
He went to her and knelt beside the bed. “Are ye well, lass?”
“Aye. Tired but overjoyed.”
“Lady Keely. Laird Alex.” The midwife approached the bedside with a squirming bundle of linen. “Yer son.” She placed the bairn in Keely’s arms. “He’s beautiful.”
“Son?” Alex stared at his wife in awe.
“Aye. Our son.”
He slowly stood up and leaned over so he could get a better look. Keely folded back the material. He had dark hair like his mother and pudgy, perfect fingers. Alex gently touched his head. “Milady,” he said, gazing into his wife’s blue eyes. “I am forever indebted to ye.”
“Laird Alex,” the midwife called.
What did she want now? Couldna it wait until the special moment with his family was over? “Aye?”
“Yer daughter.” She offered another bundle to Alex this time.
“My what?” he said shakily.
“Yer precious daughter,” Keely said. “Take her in yer arms.”
Speechless, Alex cradled her, fascinated by her full head of thick, black curls. She stared up at him, her tiny mouth making sucking sounds. “Two babes?” he asked.
“Twins.”
“No wonder ye were screaming to high heaven. I wanted to kill something because I knew ye suffered.”
“Nay,” she said, taking his hand. “It isna that kind of pain.”
“I love ye, Keely. I love these bairns. This clan. The Highlands.”
“I know ye do.”
He repositioned his daughter in the crook of his arm and bent at the waist so he could kiss his wife. “Have ye thought of any names?”
“Rebecca, after my mother.”
“A fine name,” he approved.
“And our son?” she asked, arching a brow.
Alex had thought on it long and hard. He’d spent the last two years of his life mending his ways, loving his wife, and forgiving his father and brother for the mistakes they’d all made. There was only one name that had stayed with him if he had a son. “John Matthew MacKay. After my brother and yer father.”
“John and Rebecca,” Keely repeated. “Worthy names for our little Highlanders.”
“Aye.”
“Now we better open that door, or my father and brothers, and even Petro, are never going to forgive us.”
Alex did the honor, and when his father-in-law crossed the threshold, he placed the man’s first granddaughter in his arms. “Rebecca,” Alex said.
The Oliphant laird took one look at her and tears of joy filled his eyes. “Another Rebecca to love.”
“And this is John Matthew,” Keely called from the bed.
Her sire stared at her like she had two heads. “Ye had twins, Daughter?”
“Aye.”
Everyone shuffled into the chamber, and the babes were handed around.
Alex stood back, taking in the happiness, grateful for everything God had blessed him with.
When Keely looked his way, he blew her a kiss. “Thank ye,” he mouthed to her.
She smiled and nodded.
As he was about to join her at the bedside again, someone knocked on the chamber door. Since he was standing nearby, he opened it a crack.
One of the guards from outside bowed.
“What do ye want?”
“Sorry to intrude, milord, but Helen Sutherland is waiting at the gates.”
Had he heard the man correctly? Alex stepped into the passageway and closed the door behind him. “Helen Sutherland is here? Alone?”
“Aye.”
“What does the lady want?”
“Sanctuary.”
Suddenly, the past he’d worked so hard to forget was staring him down. “I will go with ye.”
He walked outside with the guard, through the bailey and to the gates. As the guard had said, a beautiful woman waited.
“Helen Sutherland?” Alex asked to be sure.
“Aye.”
“I am Alex MacKay, Keely’s husband.”
Helen curtsied. “I know it is late, and I am sorry to disturb the peace in yer home. But my father is a raving lunatic, and I had to get away before he married me off to a decrepit and cruel laird from the isles. This is the only place I thought of—Keely is my only friend. There is nowhere else for me to go.”
Alex considered it. Helen had been kind to his wife—providing what comfort she could when Keely’s own life was in turmoil. And Helen obviously dinna want anything to do with her family, Clan MacKay’s greatest enemy.
“Ye are welcome here.”
“I am?”
He offered his arm and she took it, her leather boots crunching through the snow.
“Where is yer escort?” he asked, surprised the lady would be travelling in the middle of winter by herself.
“Escort?” she repeated as they stepped inside the main hall.
Alex ushered her to the main hearth and offered her a seat in front of it. Helen removed her wet gloves and leaned close to the fire, rubbing her hands.
“Not one man in service to my sire would dare help me. I am chattel, Laird MacKay, meant for one purpose.”
“And what is that?”
“To increase my father’s wealth through a strategic marriage. My heart and happiness have no value in my sire’s eyes.”
“What man did he choose for ye?”
“Laird Baran Munroe.”
Alex’s expression darkened. “No friend of the MacKays.”
“No friend to anyone from what I hear,” she added morosely. “Quick temper, and a murderer if the rumors are true.”
“Aye,” Alex said. “His second wife gave birth to a stillborn lass, and he starved her to death soon after. I am sorry for yer misfortune.”
“As am I.”
“Surely yer father knows the man’s history.”
“Aye. That dinna stop him from signing the betrothal contract. Though in my sire’s defense, he made sure to include conditions for my protection—that Laird Munroe would never deprive me of food and water, or beat me to death if I gave him daughters.”
Alex scratched his chin. “A generous concession on both men’s parts, I am sure.”
Helen laughed. “My father isna a bad man, Laird Alex. He’s simply unfit to be my sire. I am to blame, too. For I have been too quiet and far too obedient all these years, leading my sire to think that I would do anything he asked of me.”
Alex’s sly smile reached his green eyes. “Keely wouldna love a lass so much who dinna have spirit.”
“How is my friend?” Helen asked.
Alex rubbed the back of his head. “Yer timing is of interest,” he admitted. “Keely has just given birth to twins, my son and daughter.”
Helen jumped up. “Is she…”
“Resting comfortably and happy.”
“Thank God.”
“May I see her?”
Alex dinna want to excite his wife, not after what she’d just gone through. “In the morn,” he offered. “After she’s rested a spell.”
“I understand, milord.”
“Tis nothing against ye, Lady Helen.”
She smiled softly.
“Do ye like children?” Keely would need help with the bairns. And who better than her closest friend?
“I adore bairns,” she said sincerely. “New life is the promise of a new tomorrow.”
He liked her words very much. “Are ye hungry?”
She nodded.
“Wait here.” Alex walked down the short passageway that led to the kitchens.
The cook a
nd maids were still working, but stopped as soon as they saw him.
“Laird Alex,” the cook asked. “Did ye bring news for us about Lady Keely?”
Jesus, he’d nearly forgotten to share the joyous news. They’d all stayed up late because they loved their mistress so much. How things had changed since she returned on that fateful day two and a half years ago. It had taken hard work to win the hearts of his people again, to earn their trust back. Alex had given her permission to reside over the women’s disputes every month, and she’d proven to be a fair judge. His household had never been more peaceful or efficiently run.
“Twins,” he said. “John Matthew, and Rebecca. Perfect in every way. Lady Keely is recovering—she’s a strong, lass.”
The cheers were endless, and one of the maids handed him a cup of ale.
“Thank ye,” he said, taking a much-needed drink. “There is a lady waiting in the great hall. She needs food and drink. Once she’s finished eating, take her to my ma’s chamber and give her whatever she needs.”
The maid curtsied. “Aye, milord.”
Alex offered his servants a last smile, then returned to the great hall and found Jamie waiting in the shadows. He was obviously transfixed by the golden beauty of Helen Sutherland and her black eyes.
“Jamie.” He tapped his cousin on the shoulder.
“W-who is she?”
“No one ye need to concern yerself with. She is but a ghost.”
“That woman is no spirit—she’s flesh and blood, the bonniest I’ve ever seen.”
Alex sighed. Damn his bad luck. “Helen Sutherland.”
Jamie’s eyes grew wide. “The Helen Sutherland?”
“The earl’s daughter, aye.”
“What is she doing here?”
“She asked for sanctuary, and I have granted it.’
“On what terms?”
“Her father made a betrothal she refuses to honor.”
Jamie shook his head. “Tis always the beauties that get sold off to the ugliest bastards in the Highlands.”
“She is welcome here for as long as she wishes to stay. Because she treated Keely with kindness and grace, I willna put her out. But ye…” Alex’s expression grew serious. “Are to stay away from her. She is under my protection now.”
Jamie cast a fleeting glance at Helen, then eyed Alex again. “Whatever ye say, Cousin.”
Instead of leaving through the front doors, he stalked down the corridor into the kitchens.
Alex knew Jamie wouldna stay away from Helen. For the last two years he’d tried to find a suitable wife for his cousin, but no one had captured his interest, until tonight. And that interest could cost his clan dearly. For once the Earl of Sutherland found out where his daughter was, the tentative peace they’d reached–after Alex returned his thief-of-a-bastard-son to him and explained how Struan had been robbing his noble guests on the road to Dunrobin–the treaty would be irrevocably broken.
So anything Alex could do to safeguard Helen should be done immediately.
He joined Helen by the hearth again. “I’ve arranged for food and yer room.”
“Thank ye for yer generosity,” she said.
“I will post guards outside the door to keep ye safe, Lady Helen. In case someone followed ye and wishes ye harm.”
Alex knew the lady could see through his lie. He had every intention of keeping her in that bedchamber to protect himself and his clan. “Good night,” Alex said, leaving her to return to his beloved wife.
Clan MacKay had enjoyed peace for two years, and he supposed it was time to shake things up again. He was always itching for a good fight. And just like Helen of Troy, Helen Sutherland had the face of an angel, the kind of beauty that could inspire men to kill each other.
That made him think of Jamie, again.
Aye, he must do whatever it took to keep him away from Helen Sutherland, so help him God.
THE END
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Excerpt from Undeniable
Highlands Forever, Book Two
Chapter One
Clan MacKay lands
Northern shore of the Scottish Highlands, 1465
Helen Sutherland remembered the day her dear friend had shown up at Dunrobin Castle seeking help. Keely MacKay tried to be gracious, but she was desperate and hungry, her beautiful black hair a tangled mess, and her gown soaked from the rain. Whatever or whoever the lady was running from had brought her to Helen, who wouldna turn away a stray dog, much less a woman. With a whispered word in her father’s ear, the earl granted Keely safe haven. And in the five years Keely stayed, Helen had gained a best friend and sister.
All of Helen’s hope hung on those fond memories. If Laird MacKay or Keely turned her away, she’d have no choice but to return home to a father she dinna trust. She dismounted and walked the short distance to the closed gates of the MacKay keep. A dozen torches were lit along the wall, casting shadows on the freshly fallen snow. Helen looked about as a deep chill made her teeth chatter. Though she was wearing fur-lined boots and a fur cloak, the cold deprived her of all warmth. She’d been riding for days on little sleep and even less food.
“Who is at the gate?” A man called to her.
“I am a friend of Lady Keely, and have traveled a long way to see her.”
“In the middle of the night during a snow storm?”
“Please, sir,” Helen pleaded. “Tell the laird I am here.”
There was movement behind the gate and it opened part way. “Who is here?” the guard asked.
She lowered her hood. “Helen.”
The man looked her up and down, not hiding his attraction. “If it’s a warm bed ye seek, we need not bother the laird.”
Helen chewed on her bottom lip, afraid if she offended the guard that he’d never let her inside the bailey. “I thank ye for yer generous offer, but the laird must know I am here.”
The guard grunted. “As ye wish, Helen.” He said her name as if it were a dirty word.
She must make it clear who she was, that she expected to be treated with respect and dignity. Though she preferred not using her sire’s name to gain favor, she’d do it to ensure her safety. “Helen Sutherland,” she clarified.
The guard’s shoulders stiffened. “The earl’s daughter?”
“Aye.”
The man scratched his head, then turned back from the gate. “Stay with Lady Sutherland while I get Laird Alex.”
“Aye,” a male voice said as the gate opened wider revealing a younger man with red hair. “Ye are a long way from home.”
“Aye.” And the farther she got, the better her chances for happiness.
“Here.” The soldier flung a wineskin at her. “Take a drink, it will warm ye from the inside out.”
Helen dinna care what was in the skin, she drank greedily, choking down the foul-tasting liquid. The guard chuckled as she handed the skin back. “Thank ye.”
He nodded and took a swig. “Makes a man unafraid of anything. Not sure what it will do to a woman.”
Helen could only guess as the warmth the strong spirits caused in her belly slowly spread to her arms and legs.
“The laird is coming,” the lad said, straightening as he hid the wineskin under his cloak.
Helen prepared herself mentally for what she’d say to the man she’d never met, but had heard so much about. Her sire hated Alexander MacKay and everything he represented. But her eldest brother respected the laird—he had bollocks of steel—that’s what Gawain had said after Alex had sent her bastard brother, Struan, home trussed up like a wild beast with a missive attached.
“Helen Sutherland?” The gates opened all the way.
“Aye.” Helen immediately felt at ease. Al
ex MacKay was fair-haired and tall. He possessed the noble features of a Highland laird, yet there was a savage air about him.
“I am Alex MacKay, Keely’s husband.”
Helen curtsied. “I know it is late, and I am sorry to disturb the peace in yer home. But my father is a raving lunatic, and I had to get away before he married me off to a decrepit and cruel laird from the isles. This is the only place I thought of—Keely is my only friend. There is nowhere else for me to go.”
Would he accept her? She’d risked everything to get away from Dunrobin, and had done it with such ease because no one would ever suspect her of doing anything wrong. Helen had been the perfect daughter until her father announced her betrothal to Laird Munroe—a man fifteen years her senior with a violent reputation, six illegitimate daughters, and two dead wives. The man needed an heir.
“Ye are welcome here,” Alex said.
It took her a moment to understand what he meant. “I am?”
“Aye.” He offered his arm and she took it, her leather boots crunching through the snow as they walked together.
“Where is yer escort?” Alex asked, obviously surprised she would be travelling by herself.
“Escort?” she repeated as they stepped inside the great hall.
Alex ushered her to the hearth and into a chair. Helen removed her wet gloves and leaned close to the fire, rubbing her hands together.
“Not one man in service to my sire would dare help me. I am chattel, Laird MacKay, meant for one purpose.”
“And what is that?”
“To increase my father’s wealth through a strategic marriage. My heart and happiness have no value in my sire’s eyes.”
“What man did he choose for ye?”
“Laird Baran Munroe.”
Alex’s expression darkened. “No friend of the MacKays.”
“No friend to anyone from what I hear,” she added morosely. “Quick temper, and a murderer if the rumors are true.”
“Aye,” Alex said. “His second wife gave birth to a stillborn lass, and he starved her to death soon after. I am sorry for yer misfortune.”
“As am I.”
“Surely yer father knows the man’s history.”
“Aye. That dinna stop him from signing the betrothal contract. Though in my sire’s defense, he made sure to include conditions for my protection—that Laird Munroe would never deprive me of food and water, or beat me to death if I gave him daughters.”
Unbreakable (Highlands Forever Book 1) Page 20
