Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
The chamber was bright, the light filtering through the tall windows illuminating the small easel where Alice sat, her brow furrowed in concentration. Helena stood beside her with a brush in hand, guiding her strokes on the canvas.
“Gently now, dinnae press so hard,” she instructed, her tone patient and warm. “Ye’re paintin’ a flower, nae diggin’ a ditch.”
Alice huffed, though a smile tugged at her lips. “It’s harder than ye make it look. Ye have a steady hand, Helena, but mine’s like a nervous, wee bird.”
Helena chuckled, stepping back to inspect Alice’s work. “It’s nae bad for yer first try. When I was a lass, Broderic used to tease me somethin’ awful about me first attempts. Said me flowers looked like squashed cabbages.”
Alice laughed, glancing up from her uneven strokes. “Yer braither? What was he like as a child?”
Helena’s expression softened, her gaze drifting to the window.
“He was kind. Strong, too. Always protectin’ me, even when I didnae want it.
He had this way of teasin’ me to the brink of madness, but his heart was always in the right place.
And Ian, me cousin—oh, he was the real troublemaker.
The two of them together? A terror to anyone with patience. ”
Alice’s grin widened. “Sounds like Alexander and Michael. They were forever fightin’ or causin’ trouble, but ye’re right—there’s nay better bond than the one between siblings.
Michael was always draggin’ me into the middle of it.
He’d dare me to climb trees or race him down the hills.
And Alexander? He was the one scoldin’ us after.
” She paused, then added with a smirk, “When he wasnae the one causin’ the trouble in the first place. ”
Helena tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Alexander? Trouble? I cannae picture it.”
“Oh aye,” Alice said with a laugh. “When we were bairns, he was full of mischief. Once, he tied Michael’s boots together while he was wearin’ them, just to see if he could. Got a whack from Ma for it, but he thought it was worth it.”
Helena smiled, imagining Alexander as a young boy. “It’s strange, hearin’ ye speak about him like that. I’ve only kenned him as the stoic, gruff Laird.”
Alice nodded, her tone softening. “Aye, he’s changed a lot. But the lad I grew up with? He’s still in there somewhere.”
Helena sighed wistfully. “I think about Broderic and Ian every day. Sometimes, I wish I could go back to those carefree days. Dinnae ye?”
“Aye,” Alice said quietly. “But we can still keep them alive, even now—through stories, through moments like this.”
Helena smiled, her heart lighter. “Aye, ye’re right. Now, back to paintin’. Let’s see if we can turn that squashed cabbage into a rose.”
Alice burst into laughter, dipping her brush into the paint. “I’ll give it me best, but dinnae expect miracles!”
The next three days flew by in a flurry of preparations for Sophia’s arrival. Helena found that with each stolen moment she spent with her husband, he was not at all who she had been led to believe.
They spent the morning in the stables with the new filly, watching her run laps around her dam, laughing together when the mare proceeded to neigh at her daughter for being too spunky.
“She truly loves to drive ye crazy, does she nae?” Helena’s voice was soft as she scratched the mare’s head affectionately. “I dinnae envy ye for havin’ to keep up with this one.”
“As do most bairns, I suppose,” Alexander commented, leaning on the railing beside her with a chuckle.
They didn’t notice the two stable hands in the corner, who turned their heads toward them and then excitedly mumbled to each other as they resumed cleaning the stalls.
“She is quite the filly, is she nae?”
“Such a strong, young foal,” Helena sighed, happy to be amongst the horses.
Alexander cleared his throat, glancing at her. “Do ye ride much?”
Helena nodded. “When I can. It was one of the few times I felt free, growin’ up.”
“Then ye’ll join me,” Alexander said, his tone more authoritative than coaxing. “We’ll head to the forest. It’s a fair day anyway.”
Helena hesitated, surprised by his suggestion, but she nodded. “Aye, I’d like that.”
Moments later, they rode side by side, the rhythmic clop of hooves blending with the soft rustle of trees. The forest opened into a small glade near the lake, sunlight shimmering on the water’s surface.
“It’s peaceful here,” Helena noted quietly.
“Aye,” Alexander agreed. “It’s why I come here—to clear me head. Ye said ye liked ridin’. Did yer aunt Sophia teach ye?”
Helena shook her head, smiling faintly. “Aunt Sophia’s more like a maither than an aunt. She looked after me when… well, when things were difficult.”
Alexander glanced at her, curiosity flickering in his hazel eyes. “And Broderic? Ian? What was it like growin’ up with them?”
Helena stiffened, her fingers tightening on the reins. “I dinnae want to talk about them.”
His jaw tightened, and his voice became clipped. “Very well.”
The ride back was tense, the air thick with unspoken words. Helena’s mind swirled with guilt and anger, her past haunting her every step.
When they reached the stables, Lorna hurried to meet them, her face flushed. “Me Laird, Me Lady—yer aunt has arrived.”
Helena dismounted quickly, her heart racing. She nodded, avoiding Alexander’s gaze as they headed to the castle. His silence felt heavier than words, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d built yet another wall between them.
“Ye’ll want to meet them in the yard, I suppose?” Lorna asked, out of breath.
“Aye,” Alexander replied, falling into step with her. Helena was already bouncing out the door, as excited as a child on Christmas morning. “Is everythin’ prepared as ye and the lady discussed?”
“Yes, Me Laird. All is ready for Lady Sophia’s arrival. The maids have prepared the room between Lady Alice’s and Lady MacAllister’s, and the cook has prepared quite a feast for this evening in her honor.”
Lorna fell back a step behind him as they followed Helena into the courtyard. Alice and Michael met them at the staircase to greet Sophia.
Five riders passed under the great wooden archway, their green travel cloaks glistening over their great black horses. None of them wore nor carried Clan MacPherson banners. No wagon loaded with trunks followed behind them. For all intents and purposes, they were simple travelers like any other.
“I see that Chester still doesnae trust us. Sendin’ a small, unmarked, unnoticeable group instead of liveried guards with the lady,” Michael remarked in a low voice.
But Helena heard him. She doubted that was the case—her father had always been cheap. He had refused to buy her new clothes for over two years, or shoes after she’d outgrown them.
She suppressed a grin as Alice elbowed her middle brother in the ribs with a shh. Alexander simply nodded with a strained sigh.
Helena was barely able to contain her excitement as her aunt handed the reins of her horse to a stable boy, bouncing to her and pulling her in a long hug, squealing in delight.
Sophia held her niece tightly so their exchange wouldn’t be heard by those surrounding them.
“Are ye all right, lass?” she asked, her voice full of concern. Nervous energy radiated from her.
Helena pulled away enough to look into her eyes. “I promise, I am being well cared for. Alexander has been wonderful, and his siblings are wonderful,” she assured her, smiling happily.
“Yer last letter piqued me curiosity,” Sophia admitted. “Ye’re nae lyin’ to me, are ye, dear?”
“Nay,” Helena insisted. “He is nothin’ like we thought. Marryin’ him was nay hardship. I married him because I truly love him.”
Sophia only allowed her shock at that revelation to show for the briefest of moments before plastering on a tense smile. Helena felt horrible about lying to her aunt, especially after the loss of Ian.
Sophia didn’t show her distaste, though. She glanced from Helena to the black-haired beast of a man she now called kin.
“How can that be? Have ye so quickly forgotten the sins of the man? He is a brute who killed yer braither and cousin.” She kept her voice low, her fake smile fixed in place.
Helena understood her aunt’s resistance to the idea that she truly cared for her husband. Alexander and his family were responsible for her son’s death; she knew it would take time for her to see him as anything beyond a murderer.
Helena had to convince her aunt. No matter what, she was married to Alexander, and there was no getting out of it now.
“Ye’ll see.” She squeezed her hands reassuringly and pulled her along, not allowing her a chance to protest. “Come and meet them.”
Alexander stepped down to meet them, bowing slightly to Sophia and taking Helena’s hand with a smile.
“Lady Sophia. We are happy to have ye.” His tone was welcoming, a seemingly genuine smile on his face. He gestured to his siblings behind him. “Allow me to introduce me braither and man-at-arms, Michael, and our sister, Alice.”
Both siblings nodded in welcome, and Sophia returned the gesture, all the while closely examining the interaction between her niece and her new husband with an air of suspicion.
“Ye’re welcome to stay as long as ye like,” Alexander continued, giving Helena a loving smile. “I promise ye will see that Helena is well loved here.”
“Come now, let’s take ye to yer rooms. I’m sure ye will want to rest before the feast this evening.
” Helena released Alexander’s hand and linked arms with Sophia and Alice.
“Meanwhile, the two of us can visit ye in yer chambers and tell ye all the latest gossip—all those things the men hate that ladies do.”
Alice winked over her shoulder at her brothers, who both looked horrified. The childish looks on their faces made her burst into laughter. “She isnae wrong, ye ken. Ye do hate it. Big bairns, the both of ye.”
“Just make sure to be ready in the mornin’, wife,” Alexander called out, watching them retreat.