left with the elder guardsmen—every man sported greying locks, if they still had hair. Presently, they all stared at her—even Peter the cook had come into the courtyard with an expectant gaze.
Snapping a hand to her hip, Helen pointed in the direction of the east paddock. “Bring a dozen head of sheep into the courtyard and three times as many hens. Have the lads fill every spare barrel with water.”
No one moved.
She clapped her hands. “Quickly. Work together. I want all this done and the gate bolted before the evening meal.”
She turned to the nearest guard—Mr. Keith. “Do you have enough men to maintain three lookouts in a scheduled rotation?”
“Aye, m’lady. ’Tis what Sir Aleck ordered afore he set sail.”
“Very good.” At least she didn’t have to worry about organizing the guard. She’d assumed as much, but presently she was in charge and needed to know exactly when and where to expect her guards. “I want a weapons report. Pikes, swords, number of arrows, and number of fighting men remaining at the castle.”
Mr. Keith bowed. “I’ll fetch that for you straight away, m’lady.”
“Tell the men we are on full alert until Sir Eoin returns.”
“Very well, m’lady.”
He hesitated for a moment. Helen looked at him directly. “Was there something else you needed?”
He scratched his head. “I don’t believe so.”
She shooed him away with a flick of her wrist. “Then get to it. We must ensure we have plenty of arrows to defend the keep and provisions to ensure we are all fed.”
Glenda hastened to Helen’s side. “I just heard the news. ’Tis terrible Sir Aleck is away whilst we are under attack.”
Helen held up her finger. “We are preparing for an attack that may not come. The important thing is that we are ready should such an incidence arise.” As people scattered, she eyed Thomas, the stable hand. “Send a runner to the village. Tell the crofters they must take refuge within the castle walls immediately.”
The boy gaped. “’Tis that bad?”
“Nay,” Helen reassured him. “But I’ll not wait until the Donald is upon us to open the gates to our kin.”
The ram’s horn sounded from the wall-walk. Helen’s heart lurched. She peered up at the lookout.
He cupped his hands to his mouth. “A galley flying the MacIain pennant.”
Aleck has returned.
Though the fighting men were needed, Helen could not assuage the tightening in her chest. Heaving a heavy sigh, she grasped Glenda’s hands. “I haven’t seen Miss Maggie since before I left for the village this morning. How is she?”
“A happy bairn. Do not worry, Sarah has the lass’s care in hand.”
Helen she pressed her palms against her abdomen. “I will be up to check on her as soon as I am able. Go help Peter with the provisions. I must hasten to face the dragon.”
Glenda snorted out a howling laugh.
Helen bit the inside of her cheek and turned away. She’d never made such a derogatory remark about Aleck to the chambermaid. Reminding herself she mustn’t ever reveal her true feelings about her husband, no matter what, she let out a heavy sigh. Helen must be careful not to slip again. Gathering her composure, she headed for the sea gate.
Men furled the galley’s sail while others took up the oars and guided the boat toward the shore. The men’s voices echoed on the breeze as they sang a seafaring ditty to the rhythm of their rowing. Aleck stood astern, manning the rudder. The sight of the clansmen sailing home always brought an air of triumph and the castle courtyard buzzed with excitement.
Helen often stood beneath the archway of the sea gate and watched Clan MacIain approach—usually from a day of fishing. Typically she watched with an emotionless gaze, but today her insides jumped with restlessness.
After Aleck hopped over the side of the galley, Helen hastened toward him. “Urgent news m’laird.”
He smirked, hardly regarding her. “What is it now?”
Helen didn’t allow his gruff demeanor to dissuade her. Eoin had put her in charge. She would not shirk from any duty required of her. “A sentry reported the MacDonalds have burned out the Gilles’s cottage in Sunart. Sir Eoin and his men have ridden to intercept them before they march into Ardnamurchan.”
Aleck jammed his fists into his hips, leaning in so he towered over her. “He’s ridden without me?”
Helen mirrored his pose. “Aye—and not too long ago.”
“You stupid woman, why did you not tell him to wait?”
She blinked in rapid succession, willing away his insult. I have a duty to the clan. “We had