how she could live up to his expectations. It was as if he wanted her to fail.
She’d always tried so hard to maintain kinship and goodwill at Mingary—to ensure that Aleck and all of the clansmen and women lived harmoniously, but since Sir Eoin had arrived, there was an underlying tone of angst amongst everyone. Not that there was anything wrong with the Chieftain of Clan Gregor. Simply put, Aleck was jealous of Eoin, and resented his presence.
Regrettably, that resentment has put an even greater strain on our relationship than there was before.
Helen bent down to pick up a sea sponge, then held it up. My, this is a large specimen. Glenda will be impressed for certain. She placed it in her basket beside the flame shells she’d found earlier.
Overhead, a flock of black guillemots squawked. Helen watched the seabirds land on a rocky outcropping, the white feathers under their black wings flashing with their every flap. It reminded her of a ship’s signal from across the sea.
At least spending an hour or two alone on the beach brought her peace and a welcomed respite from her worries.
Aside from Aleck’s increased pugnaciousness, Helen enjoyed having Eoin at Mingary. He, too, could bring a moment’s enjoyment simply with a smile, or a kind remark.
Eying a conical snail shell, she stooped to retrieve it.
Boom!
A blast from atop the battlements shook the ground. Helen’s heart flew to her throat. Her entire body startled with a jolt. Before she could exhale, a high-pitched whistle soared through the air, growing increasingly louder.
She froze.
It’s heading straight for me.
Before Helen could run, the cannonball thundered into the beach. Rocks and sand hurled into the air.
Flinging her hands over her head, Helen did her best to protect herself from the flying debris. She shrieked as stones and sand slammed into her body with such force she stumbled to the ground. Something hit her head, her arm, her shoulder. Everything hurt. She crumpled into a heap and wailed. Had she become so much of a failure, Aleck had decided to fire a cannonball at her?
“Lady Helen!” Eoin roared, sprinting along the beach.
She swiped a hand over her crown only to be met with warm moisture. Holding her palm in front of her face, it was covered with blood.
“My God.” Eoin dropped to his knees beside her. “You’ve been hit.”
“M-my head’s bleeding.” The world spun.
“Christ almighty, you’ve blood streaming down your face.” He used the cuff of his shirt to dab it.
She hissed, her hands trembling out of control. “T-the cannon ball…ouch…and I didn’t h-have time…and rocks h-hit me. And—”
“I know, lass. Where else does it hurt?”
Her mind raced. “Everywhere.”
“Can you move your arms and legs?”
“I-I don’t know.”
Another blast boomed and whistled overhead.
“Get down, m’lady!” Eoin flung his body atop Helen, shoving her into the stony shore.
Her heart hammered so hard, it nearly burst from her chest. But Eoin protected her from another pummeling. The lead ball hit the surf this time, showering them with a spray of saltwater.
“Stop firing, you bastards!” Eoin yelled, rising to his knees and waving his arms over his head.
The men working on the galley all started hollering in a chorus to stop.
Eoin gathered Helen into his arms and stood. “I must carry you out of harm’s way, then we’ll see to your injuries.”
He raced toward the sea gate. “Forgive…me for…being so familiar…m’lady,” he said while sucking in deep breaths.
“’Tis all right.” With her fists under her chin, she curled into him. “Thank you for coming to my aid, m’laird.”
Another cannon shot boomed from the bailey wall.
Eoin nodded at his henchman. “Fergus, run up there and tell them Lady Helen has been injured. And tell them to look where they’re aiming before they fire that blasted thing again.”
He pushed into the courtyard and regarded her face. “I’d best see you inside, m’lady.”
If I allow him to carry me further, Aleck will launch into a rage. “I think I can walk.”
“Are you certain? You’ve had an awful blow to your head.”
“Let me try.”
Eoin carefully set Helen on her feet.
The courtyard spun and she wobbled. He grasped her elbow.
“Ow.” She pulled her arm away and rubbed.
His eyebrows drew together with a concerned expression. “Your arm is hurt too?”
“Just bruised, I think.”
He pressed his fingers to the edge of her hairline. “You’re still bleeding and there’s a nasty knot.”
“Why the bloody hell are you touching my wife?” Aleck cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled from atop the wall-walk.
“You nearly killed her with your cannon fire,” Eoin