Helena tossed her hair. “My father says ye are the greatest fighter he’s ever seen, which is why he agreed to our striking a bargain to marry if we suit. I kinnae imagine any man felling more knights than ye,” Helena continued with a sweet smile. “Though—” she glanced at Graham “—I’m sure ye’re verra braw.”
“Ye’re married?” Graham asked, acknowledging only one part of what Helena had said and wrongly so at that.
“We have pledged to see if we suit each other for marriage,” Lachlan replied as his gaze moved to Bridgette, who looked very pale. “Are ye ill?” he asked her, the words flying out of his mouth before he could stop them.
“Nay,” she responded, her tone no more than a whisper. “When did this occur?”
“A fortnight ago.” He inclined his head toward Helena. “This is Helena Campbell,” he added. “And, Helena,” he motioned to Graham and Bridgette, “this is my brother Graham, and this is Bridgette MacLean.”
Helena curtsied on cue. “I’m so verra glad to meet ye both,” she cried out, giving Graham a quick hug. “And Bridgette MacLean!” She embraced Bridgette. “Of course I’ve heard of ye, seeing as my brother wished to marry ye and ye refused him. Ye hurt him,” Helena said with a pout and then a smile.
Bridgette pressed her lips together. “I was nae aware yer brother had a heart.”
Lachlan had to stifle the laugh that tried to escape. He’d not appear very doting if he laughed at Helena’s expense, no matter how foul her brother was. And the man wasfoul. A cheat and a liar.
Helena’s eyes narrowed slightly, betraying her anger even as she smiled brightly. “Great leaders dunnae always have the pleasure of being soft,” Helena said in a voice that was barbed yet gentle.
Bridgette looked as if she wanted to say more, but Graham spoke next. “We’re pleased to meet ye, Helena.”
Lachlan forced himself to draw his gaze away from Bridgette, who looked anything but pleased, and back to his brother. “How fare ye?”
Graham’s lips twisted in a wry smile. “I fare as a cripple would, for now,” Graham said gravely before shrugging. “Riding a horse is nearly impossible because of the pain.”
The words punched one by one into Lachlan’s gut. “Graham, I’m verra sorry.”
“Dunnae be,” Graham replied, his voice tense. “I’ll be riding and walking well enough to best ye soon.”
“I’ve nae a doubt ye will. And I can help ye train,” Lachlan offered.
“Nay. I dunnae need yer help.”
Lachlan tensed, though he was used to his brother not accepting his aid. Ever since they were younger and their sister, Lena, had drowned when Graham was supposed to be watching her, Lachlan’s relationship with his brother had been strained. Lachlan didn’t blame Graham for Lena’s death; he blamed himself. He’d teased Graham the morning it happened, saying that Graham was not a good hunter, and Graham had left Lena in the loch alone while he tried to catch a rabbit.
“Ye ken Lachlan is the best rider of all of us. Ye should let him work with ye,” Rory Mac said, drawing Lachlan’s thoughts back to the present.
“I’d be more than glad to,” Lachlan tried once again, hoping Graham would accept but knowing it was a futile hope.
“If I need ye, I’ll ask,” Graham replied dismissively.
An awkward silence ensued, which Rory Mac broke by speaking to Bridgette. “I’ve nae properly greeted ye, Bridgette,” he said, giving her a hug. Lachlan watched, aware of the jealousy surging through him. He could not take Bridgette in his arms as Rory Mac just had. He could not touch her in any way, not in harmless greeting or benign parting. There was nothing harmless or benign about what he felt for Bridgette.
Suddenly, Helena took his hand in hers, and when his gaze met hers, he saw knowledge in her dark, deceptive eyes. He’d have to be very careful around her, especially when it came to Bridgette. He suspected that surrounded as he was in a castle full of people who had known him for years, Helena—a stranger—might see what others did not.
Bridgette cleared her throat. “Graham, should nae ye rest now?”
The concern in Bridgette’s voice made the already-unwelcome jealousy flow faster through Lachlan.
Graham chuckled. “Bridgette does worry over me so, but I like it.”
Lachlan forced a smile. “Do ye need aid returning to the castle?”
Irritation flashed in Graham’s eyes. “Nay. Bridgette will help me.”
Bridgette immediately slipped her arm around Graham’s waist once again. As they turned away, Lachlan’s chest tightened. Suddenly, Bridgette turned back, her gaze coming to rest on Lachlan, then Helena. “I did nae offer my congratulations. I’m sorry.”
Helena beamed. “We shall be as family in spite of ye nae marrying my brother! How strange fate is!”
Lachlan had memorized Bridgette’s happy smile long ago, and the one that came to her lips now was forced. Did she sense something odd in Helena? Or perchance it was simply that Helena was Colin Campbell’s sister, and Bridgette disliked the man that had tried to force her brother to marry her off, despite the fact that she did not want to marry Colin.
