person in Ardnamurchan who knew about her past—about who she was at her core. “Duncan considered it a good alliance for the Campbell Clan. Mingary gives him a base from which to spy on the MacDonalds.” She didn’t need to tell Eoin about the centuries-long feud between their clans.
“I suspect the alliance had something to do with Sir Aleck’s separation from Clan Donald.”
She huffed. “Sir Aleck will be loyal to whomever offers him the greatest prize.”
A shadow passed over Eoin’s face. “I feared as much. He cannot be trusted.”
“You shouldn’t say that.” Helen clapped a hand over her mouth. Though Eoin was right, she’d trained herself to stand up for her husband.
“You, more than anyone, should realize the truth.”
She crossed her arms and rubbed the outside of her shoulders with a subtle nod.
“Come here,” he beckoned her. “I promise I will not try to kiss you again.”
To her surprise, a twinge of disappointment squeezed her heart. “You’re as damp as I, yet so warm.”
He chuckled and Helen again relaxed into his embrace. Thunder cracked overhead as the downpour continued.
Odd, the torrent is ever so soothing.
“Lady Helen?”
She loved how her name rolled off his tongue. “Aye?”
His hand rubbed her back in a circular motion. “I think I should talk to your brother about asking the Pope for an annulment.”
Every muscle in her body tensed and she pushed away from his arms. “You cannot be serious.”
Eoin groaned and released her. “I’ve thought of nothing else since I found you in the alcove on the beach. John Campbell is the Bishop of the Isles. He has the Pope’s ear.”
A cold shiver twitched through her body. “But Aleck has sworn he’ll murder me. If I’m deceased, Maggie will have no one to protect her.”
“I will protect you. I vow it.” Eoin combed his fingers through his damp tresses. “That did not come out as genteel as I would have liked.” He inhaled deeply and gazed at her eyes intently. “I also promise I will not approach your brother unless you give your consent. Please, Lady Helen. Think about this for a moment. Remaining at Mingary is not a viable solution for you or the bairn.”
Arms folded, Helen paced in a circle, her mind abuzz with all the reasons she should not listen. “What you suggest is madness.”
“Just hear me.”
She moved to the edge of the crude shelter and stared at the driving rain. She would never do anything to compromise Maggie’s safety. “I cannot abandon my daughter.”
“Of course no one would ever expect that of you. She’s a part of you and deserves your love. Aleck has proved he has no capacity to care for the babe.”
Helen folded her arms tighter. All the tension in her body returned tenfold. Aye, things were bad with Aleck, terrible, even. But seeking an annulment could purchase more trouble than she’d ever experienced in her life—and Maggie could end up in the midst of the worst of it.
“If you scribe a letter to your brother, I will deliver the missive without Aleck ever being aware.” Eoin stepped behind her, his presence radiating like a furnace, but his words so extremely disconcerting. “If the Pope grants the annulment, Aleck doesn’t need to know about it until you and Maggie have been safely spirited away from Mingary.”
Again she tensed. “Aye? And then what? Aleck will come after me. He sees Maggie as his mark for bargaining, and if it weren’t for the feud he’d cause with the Campbell Clan, he’d sooner see me dead.”
“Your words ring true,” Eoin agreed. “But you and Miss Maggie would have the protection of Clan Gregor and Clan Campbell. On that you have my vow.”
Too many warring consequences muddled her mind. “Please. This is too terrifying to consider. What if my missive were intercepted? What if the Pope rejects my plea appeals directly to Aleck?”
Eoin clapped his hand over his heart. “I will have words with John to ensure that does not happen. Once your brother knows of your situation, I am certain your protection will be paramount to the family.”
If only she could believe him. If only she could be sure she and Maggie would be free from Aleck’s retribution. But Helen could not take such a risk. She plucked her cloak from the peg and slung it round her shoulders. “Please, take me back. This talk of annulment is too disconcerting.”
She caught the look on Eoin’s face before he turned to retrieve his mantle. His frown forlorn, he looked as if he’d just