Page 77 of The Highlander's Accidental Wife
You’re not? I am.
Before Helena could chat with her friends more, Lady Merie swooped in to drag her over to MacCabe relatives who had arrived. There was a whirlwind of greetings and guests that went on for nearly an hour. Then, Helena hastened to get Emma and Agnes settled with their husbands, before quickly changing for lunch.
Only, lunch turned into a feast that continued well into the evening. Helena was so tired that she barely remembered getting into bed, and she groaned when Shona shook her awake moments later.
“Milady, ye’ve overslept, and more guests have arrived.”
Dismayed, Helena hastened out of bed, casting a wistful glance at her desk, and then quickly got dressed.
That day was another whirlwind of attending to duties and overseeing the preparations for the cèilidhthe day after tomorrow, and her wedding in less than a week.
“I cannae believe we left yer cèilidhdress till the last moment,” Lady Merie murmured as she fussed over Helena.
Helena tried not to make a face. She’d been standing in the middle of Lady Merie’s chambers for what felt like hours, the afternoon wearing on, and her stomach growled with hunger.
Agnes, Emma, and Sophia were snuggled on the couch, the twins telling her sister stories. Gwen was dozing on another couch,with Jolly in her lap, and a book slowly slipping from her fingers. Damien’s aunts had left a little while ago for snacks but had not yet returned.
Her head swam, and she pressed her hands to her stomach. She’d tried on dress after dress, and it was all too much. Still, for her people, for Lady Merie, she would persevere.
Finally, they settled on a lovely dark green dress that would offset the MacCabe tartan nicely. And finally, Damien’s aunts returned with a veritable feast. Helena smiled as she listened to the warm chatter and laughter, soaking in all the smiles of the women around her. It felt as though she’d assembled her own army—one she was not sure she deserved.
Suddenly, a little hand slipped into hers. She turned and saw Sophia gazing up at her with solemn eyes.
“Do you need air?” her little sister asked in a whisper.
Helena’s heart clenched, and she drew Sophia to her chest, squeezing her tight.
How many times had she slipped out of her rooms, explaining to Sophia that she just needed air? Too many.
“Perhaps that might help,” Helena acknowledged. “Are you excited?”
Sophia pushed out her lip. “No. I don’t want to leave.” Helena’s breath caught, and Sophia folded her arms. “I don’t want to lose you. Father says that from the way the Laird is acting, there won’t be anything left of you.”
“Oh my,” Helena said and pressed a hand to her face. “Father exaggerates. He is a foolish, bitter, old man.” She straightened, her heart hammering, and wondered why she had not thought of it before. “What if…?”
“I don’t want you to get married!” Sophia suddenly shouted and burst into tears. “I don’t want to leave Jolly! I don’t want the Laird to eat you!”
Gasps rang out, and Helena caught Sophia’s arm, turning her sister to face her. “Sophia, have you not been treated with the utmost kindness while you’ve been here?” Her sister’s little frame shook with sobs. “And if anything, I am more likely to eat the Laird than let him eat me.”
“Aye, Sophia, she’s a right dragonness, yer big sister,” drawled a voice, and everyone turned to see Damien lounging in the doorway.
Sophia dashed a hand across her eyes and glared at him. “What did Father mean by that, then?”
Now, Damien, who’d clearly enjoyed sneaking up on all of them, appeared staggered. He tried to speak and shook his head, his eye flickering to Helena’s.
“Father is just foolish,” Helena said in a soothing tone, fighting down laughter. “He thinks Damien can turn into a dragon, but only I can.”
Sophia gasped and whirled around to face her sister, who grinned.
“It’s true. I discovered I could do it not too far from here, at a place with magical waterfalls.” Helena smoothed a hand over Sophia’s brow. “Perhaps I’ll take you there one day.”
“We both will, Sophia,” Damien added. Sophia looked over at him, still small and furious. “Did ye mean what ye said, little one? About stayin’ here?”
“Of course,” Sophia cried out. “I do not want to leave Auntie Gwennie or Uncle Orrick or Grammy Merie. Or Jolly.” She hung her head. “Or Lena.”
“Alright,” Damien said and held out a hand. “Let’s go ask yer faither.”
At that, Sophia started and stared up at him.
