“No, you mustn’t carry the burden of my past upon your shoulders.” Helen slid her arms around him and clung tight. “I only wish you could stay.”
Nearly a month passed before Eoin could slip away to see Helen again. Even now, he should be patrolling with MacIain, but when Aleck’s galley was forced into dry dock for repairs at Tabert, Eoin took advantage of his window of time. I told the braggart to clear those damn mussels from his hull ages ago. Eoin chuckled. Lucky for me he didn’t listen.
Before he sailed off with a small crew, Eoin had given Duncan the excuse he needed to take care of Clan Gregor business and would return within a sennight. Duncan didn’t like it, but the baron had no grounds on which to argue. The Lord of Glenorchy had made two visits to Kilchurn Castle during the past month.
As the boat tacked into the pier at Taynuilt, Fergus grinned like a wet-eared lad. “Me missus will be happy to see us.”
Eoin winked. “You’ll make her a happy woman, I’ve no doubt. Go on ahead with the men and I’ll meet you back here in a sennight.”
Fergus snorted. “You’re not going with us?”
“Nay, I’ve business to the south.”
“Bloody hell, m’laird. Every time we cast ashore for a moment’s rest, you ride off on some clandestine mission.”
Sometimes Eoin’s membership in the Highland Enforcers came in handy. “You ken how it is when carrying a message for the king. The more who ken my whereabouts, the more dangerous it is.”
Fergus gave a knowing nod. “Well, do not count on seeing me for a sennight, then. I aim to keep my woman warm and make up for all the time we’ve been away.”
“Good to hear.” Eoin slapped the henchman’s shoulder then turned his attention to the mooring. Sailing into the small fishing village of Taynuilt, no one at Dunollie Castle would be aware of Eoin’s visit this time, and since his men had no idea what he was up to, Helen’s hiding place was safe from discovery.
After procuring a horse from the local stable, he made his way south into Fearnoch Forest, ever so anxious to see her again.
Approaching the cottage, he slowed his horse to a walk. A gentle hum sailed through the air—Helen’s voice. Gooseflesh rose across Eoin’s skin. Oh how he adored the melodic sound of her singing. He drew near enough to glimpse his lady through the trees.
Her honeyed locks swung forward while she raised her skirts and stepped into the wooden washbasin. “Oh my, the water is cold,” she squealed.
Maggie’s infant voice giggled on the breeze. The bairn rested against pillows atop on a plaid, watching her mother as Lady Helen stomped on the washing like Eoin had seen washerwomen do countless times.
He marveled at the industriousness of a woman used to being catered to by servants. She’s so willing to do anything necessary to keep her house in order.
He tapped his heels into the horse’s barrel and started forward.
A twig snapped with a crack.
Helen’s head jerked up. Hopping out of the basin, she dropped her skirts while her fists flew under her chin. “Who’s there?”
“’Tis only me,” Eoin said, riding into the clearing.
She planted those fists on her hips, her initial expression of fear turning angry. “Eoin MacGregor, you said you would visit me as soon as you could get away. Do you realize I’ve been beside myself for the past fortnight because I have received no word from you?”
“Forgive me, m’lady.” Eoin hastened to dismount and bowed deeply. “There have been continuous skirmishes up and down the seaboard. My men and I haven’t had a moment’s rest.”
“Not even to send a missive to Lady Gyllis? How much time does it take to dispatch a letter to Dunollie?”
Eoin smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand. “I was hesitant to write because of the importance of keeping your whereabouts hidden. But I should have penned a missive to Gyllis.”
She shook her finger. “Yes, you should have.”
He tossed the reins around the post outside the door. “Please accept my deepest apology. The thought didn’t cross my feeble mind.”
“Did I say how worried I have been?”
He nodded. “Aye.” Then he tried to reach for her. “It was wrong of me to allow so much time to pass without sending word.”
She clasped her hands behind her back as if not yet ready to make amends. Then she looked away, her bottom lip trembling. “The last time you were here, everything was