Never Fall for a Highlander: The Mackays of Dun Ugadale, #1

By Callie Hutton

This book was 100% created by the author. No AI was used.

The Mackays of Dun Ugadale is a spin off series from The Sutherlands of Dornoch Castle.

 

Never Fall for a Highlander:

Laird Robin Mackay has been pushed for some time by the Clan Council to choose a wife from one of the clans with daughters and widowed sisters. He doesn't feel ready, but when Helena Ross arrives from the Sutherland clan to help her sister, Jena who is about to give birth to her first bairn, she catches Robin's attention. Then he is injured in battle and Helena must spend hours with him, helping him heal.

He must marry for coin and alliances; she must return to Dornoch to take her aunt's place as the clan healer so the woman who raised her can ease back from her duties.

With those responsibilities, there can be nothing between them. But the attraction is so strong, can they deny their duties to have each other?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Callie Hutton
• Release date: Mar 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798223178828

Callie Hutton

USA Today bestselling author, Callie Hutton, who has penned more than sixty historical romance, romantic suspense, and cozy mystery books, writes humorous and captivating Regency with “historic elements and sensory details” (The Romance Reviews). With a million novels sold and translated into several languages, she continues to entrance readers with her heartfelt historical romances and mysteries. Her Victorian cozy mystery book, The Sign of Death was a finalist in the Simon and Schuster Mary Higgins Clark award in 2022.   You can find all of Callie’s books here:  https://calliehutton.com/ If you would like to stay in touch and hear about new releases, sales, recipes and a monthly Reader Appreciation giveaway, sign up for Callie’s newsletter here and receive a free book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/cp2dlnqahe .

Book preview

Prologue

June, 1649

Balnagown Castle

Clan Ross

Jena, I’m scared. Helena clung to her older sister and whispered the words, even though they were alone in the small cottage where they and their mother had lived. The lasses had just arrived back from Mam’s burial and were awaiting the escorts who were bringing them to the Mackay Clan.

Even though Helena and Jena were of the Ross clan, their mother had been a Sutherland and with their father having been dead since Helena was an infant, their aunt Dorathia Sutherland, Mam’s sister, had insisted the girls be raised by her. Since there hadn’t been any offers to keep the lasses with their da’s clan, they were packing their belongings to join their aunt who awaited them outside with the Sutherland escort that had come with her.

They’d never met Aunt Dorathia before the funeral. Older than their mam by at least ten summers, she was the Sutherland Clan healer, and over the years Ma had lived at Balnagown Castle, their aunt had been reluctant to visit. She sent the occasional message to her sister and remarked that she was not comfortable leaving Dornoch, lest a tragedy occur, and she was not there. Apparently, there was no other healer at the castle that her aunt trusted.

She’d told the lasses she intended to train them in the healing arts so they could take her place when she grew old. The lasses had taken one look at Aunt Dorathia and decided she was already old and might die before they were able to do any sort of training.

Do not be afraid, Sister, Jena said. We will be together and even though Aunt looks old, she seems to have a good heart. She gave her a hug. All will be well. I promise.

Helena, generally the sister who saw sunshine and happiness everywhere as opposed to Jena who saw doom and gloom, this switch in their outlooks was almost amusing.

Are we ready, lasses? Aunt Dorathia had entered the cottage and smiled at them.

Yes, Aunt, Jena said. Helena and I are all packed.

One of the escorts stepped into the small room and took the two satchels and tied them to his horse. He pointed at Jena. Ye will ride with me. The little one will ride with Boyd. He waved in the general direction of a mon sitting atop a verra large horse.

Helena swallowed. Aye.

In all her eight summers, she’d ne’er ridden a horse before, and was ashamed to be so frightened that she almost bolted back to the cottage. But she would no’ disgrace the Ross Clan, Jena, and Aunt Dorathia, so she took a deep breath and moved toward the animal.

As the party of warriors, Aunt Dorathia, Helena, and Jena left the castle grounds, their horses sounding like drums as they galloped away, Helena looked back at the only home she’d ever known.

Chapter One

April, 1661

Dun Ugadale

That memory from so many years ago—twelve to be exact—stayed with Helena Ross the entire trip from Dornoch Castle to Dun Ugadale, on the McKintyre Peninsula where she had hoped to arrive in time to assist at the birth of Jena’s first bairn.

She was excited to be an aunt, but sorry that she would not see the lass or lad grow up. Her duties at Dornoch Castle kept her busy, and although she had begged Aunt Dorathia many times to start training another healer, she always waved her off.

No need to. Ye are doing a wonderful job and soon I will be able to hand it all o’er to ye and take a rest in my older years.

Arguing that once Aunt retired from her duties that the castle would only have one healer, she again dismissed her concerns. Ye are young, lass. Ye have many years to train another healer.

There were times when she felt trapped by those words. No mon that had approached her seemed suitable for a husband, but with her duties at Dornoch there was no chance of her meeting a mon from another clan that she hoped would warm her heart. She kenned it was foolish, but Jena had found her true love, why not her?

She’d been truly heartbroken when Jena had fallen in love with a Mackay warrior, married quickly, and left. Since Jena had never taken to healing or midwifery, preferring to spend her time knitting the numerous warm clothing the clan members needed, there was no loss to Aunt Dorathia when Jena married and moved to Dun Ugadale.

Helena had spent many a night wishing her sister had married a Sutherland. There had certainly been enough men interested in her sister, but like Helena, she ne’er returned the interest.

What do ye think of yer first glimpse of the best broch in the Highlands? Hamish, one of the men who’d escorted her to Dun Ugadale rode up alongside her, drawing her attention back to the present.

’Tis lovely. Verra strong.

Aye, ‘tis strong and bold. He winked at her. Just like me.

She smiled but was grateful they were close to the broch. Hamish had been paying a bit too much attention to her on the trip. Each night when they made camp, he offered to share his bed with her. She treated it as a bit of teasing, but she kenned the mon was serious.

I will be glad to sleep in a real bed. The words were no sooner out of her foolish mouth than she realized what a stupid thing that was to say. Before Hamish could change that into something uncomfortable, she turned as one of her other escorts, Boyd rode up alongside Hamish and frowned.

Leave the lass alone, Hamish. She’s certainly showed ye during the trip that she’s no’ interested in ye.

Ach, but give me a few minutes alone with the lass and I can surely change her mind.

She ignored him as they grew closer to their destination. The tidy and flourishing Village of Tongue sat nearby but the broch of Dun Ugadale caught her breath as they grew closer.

Set on a high hill-top, its remarkable location gave her a clear view of the mountains Ben Royal and Ben Hope. So this was where her sister lived for the past two years. Excitement built in her chest as they grew close enough to see the drawbridge begin to lower.

They rode over it, the three Mackay warriors flanking her, the thunder of the horses announcing their arrival.

Helena looked around to see if her sister was waiting for her, and then laughed at her foolishness. Jena had no way of kenning when they would arrive.

Hamish dropped from his horse and reached up to grab her around the waist. Before she could tell him she was quite capable of getting off the horse herself, she was on the ground. She brushed off her dress and thanked him, immediately turning away.

Helena, is that you?

She turned to see her very swollen sister waddling down the steps from the keep.

Tears sprang in Helena’s eyes at the sight of her sister. Jena looked wonderful. And very pregnant. Helena practically ran toward her sister. With bright smiles, the sisters hugged. Well, as much as Helena could with her sister’s large belly.

Helena stepped back and studied Jena. You look very…

Pregnant. Jena grinned.

Yes. Verra much so. They hugged again and Jena put her arm around Helena’s waist. Come, you must be hungry and weary from your journey.

Helena stopped in her tracks and turned toward Hamish, Boyd, and Finlay. Thank ye verra much for a safe travel. I appreciate your escort.

The men nodded to her and then moved their horses, and hers, to the stables. Hamish took his time to wink at her.

She sighed and shook her head.

I canno’ tell ye how happy I am to see ye. Jena lowered her head and spoke softly. "The woman who is the midwife here is frightening. She keeps telling me all the horrible things that can happen. I was about ready to climb onto a horse and return to Dornoch when Blair sat me down and explained that the midwife, Beatrice, was old, set in her ways, and kenned for scaring the life out of expecting mothers and I shouldna pay attention to her.

It was then that he suggested we send for you.

So this was yer husband’s idea?

Aye. I wanted to send for ye, but I dinna ken if the laird would care for having a few of his warriors away from the castle and spending time escorting ye here.

They had climbed the steps and were entering the great hall. They settled on two stools in front of a table. Jena was out of breath, and they had to wait a bit before Helena asked, Is the laird so difficult, then?

Nay. Jena shook her head. He isna. But he is always fretting about this and that, so I dinna want Blair to bring another problem to him.

But he did it anyway?

Jena smiled. Aye. Blair is the best of husbands. He oversees training the new warriors now and is quite proud of himself. But since he is close to the laird, he feels more comfortable with him than I do, so he had no problem asking for an escort.

Just then a young serving lass entered the room. Good afternoon, Jena. I see yer sister has arrived.

Yes, Miriam, this is my younger sister, Helena. She turned to Helena. Miriam is a sweet young lass.

The lass blushed. Can I get ye some food and drink? Supper is still a couple of hours away.

I would like something to drink, for sure, Helena said. I believe I can wait until supper is served.

The lass nodded and left them.

After you’ve had yer drink, I will bring ye to our room, Jena said as she linked arms with her sister, seeming unable to keep from touching her. My husband and I lived in a bothy close to Village of Tongue, but when he was offered the position of training the new warriors, the laird gave us a room in the keep. ‘Twas quite a surprise since there are so many brothers and sisters that I dinna believe there would be room for us."

Brothers and sisters?

Oh my, yes, Jena said. There’s Craig, Finn, Mairi and Kenna.

Miriam returned with two mugs of ale.

Tell me a little bit about married life, Helena said as she took a healthy swallow of the ale. The entire time they traveled, she’d been thirsty.

Jena blushed. She had apparently assumed Helena was asking about the intimate part of marriage. Well, it was verra different from what Dorathia told us. Jena shook her head. I misspeak. Dorathia did tell us a great deal of correct information, but what she left out was the amazing part of the…you know. Her sister blushed brighter.

Helena caught Jena’s embarrassment and to her dismay she began to blush herself.

They finished their drinks after more chatting about how things were back at Dornoch Castle, then Jena rose. Come, I’ll bring you up to our room. There is a small space in the corner that Blair has set off with a curtain so you can have some privacy.

After Helena fetched her satchel, they started up the stairs. Feeling a bit panicked, she said, I can’t stay in the same room with ye and yer husband. I mean, donna ye and him…ye ken.

Jena laughed and shook her head. No more right now. ‘Tis too cumbersome and Blair is afraid he will hurt the bairn. Catching on to her sister’s uneasiness, she said, ’twill be fine, and I will be verra happy to have ye there in the room once the bairn comes.

Helena had blushed more since her arrival at Dun Ugadale then she’d had for the past year. Although as a midwife she kenned that martial intimacies were not encouraged near the end, she didn’t want to listen to her sister and her husband whispering and cuddling in the night. But since the arrangements had already been made, she said nothing.

The room was a fairly good size, and the curtain that hung in the corner would provide her with privacy. She just wished she could have slept somewhere else.

I think ye should rest before supper since ye are probably worn out from the journey.

Helena did, in fact, feel quite weary from the days of travel and the poor sleep she’d gotten from the uncomfortable ground she’d slept on. Her escorts did provide her with a certain amount of privacy and tried to make the places they slept not too terrible, but she still felt a short lie-down before supper would be a good idea.

Yes, I believe ye are right, Jena. I think a bit of a nap would be a good thing.

Jena led her over to the area behind the curtain. Helena was happy to see a small mattress on the floor that would be perfect for her needs. Jena gave her a hug—as best she could—and said, I am so happy ye are here. I’ve missed ye so much.

When Helena looked upset as Jena used the back of her hand to wipe her wet cheeks, she said, Doona pay attention to me. I’ve been weeping for months now.

Helena rubbed her sister’s shoulder. ’Tis normal, Sister.

Sniffing, Jena turned and left Helena to have a much needed rest.

Chapter Two

Robin Mackay, Laird of Clan Mackay, rode into the outer bailey of Dun Ugadale and leapt from his horse, Barclay. One of the stable lads jogged out to meet him. Greetings, Laird, the lad said.

Robin nodded. Take good care of Barclay, he’s had a long ride.

The lad smiled at the horse and led him into the stable.

The three other warriors who had accompanied their laird arrived at the outer court and jumped from their horses. Another lad came up and took their steeds.

Robin continued to the steps leading to the keep. His focus was completely on the fact that he would most likely lead a larger group of warriors to the Gunn border in the morning since it appeared the Gunn Clan was doing a bit more pilfering along the border between the Gunns and the Mackays then what he could overlook.

He cursed the need to do that since he had problems to solve with his own clan and dinna have the time to deal with the Gunn thievery. He nodded at the several clanfolk that greeted him as he continued into the keep.

Supper was just being served as he entered the room. He took his place at the dais and greeted his siblings with a quick smile. He glanced around the room and his attention was immediately taken with a woman who sat next to Blair’s wife. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldna remember when he’d seen her before.

Then within an instant, he remembered Helena Ross from the Sutherland clan. She was the sister Blair had requested an escort for. She was a bonnie lass, dark brown hair, green eyes, with a very curvy body that he wouldna mind running his hands over. Her pretty face was made even bonnier by dimples in both cheeks and a