Marti Talbott's Highlander Series 1 (Anna, Rachel & Charlet)

by Marti Talbott

  “I am her husband and if you have a message for her, you will give it to me!” said Kevin.

  The stranger could hardly get the words out. “You are married? Already? We thought the wedding was tomorrow week.”

  “Our plans have changed. Either give me the message or be gone with you.”

  “No!” She said it before she realized what she was doing and darted back inside the bedchamber.

  Kevin looked up at the empty place where he spotted her earlier and reconsidered. Perhaps the message was about Rachel. “My wife can not come down, but if you speak your message loud enough I am certain she will hear you.”

  The commoner refused. “The message is for her ears only. 'Tis from her mother.”

  Ignoring the pain and stiffness in her body, Anna walked the length of the balcony and started down the stairs. Her injured knee wasn’t bending very well, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. She was grateful when Thomas raced up to make sure she didn’t fall, thanked him and then turned to the commoner, “What is it, Harold?”

  “Dear God, what have they done to your face?”

  She dismissed his outburst. “Why has my mother sent you, is she unwell?” Anna made it to the bottom of the stairs before she stopped.

  Harold took a deep breath, walked to her and tried to recognize her. It wasn’t easy looking at the extraordinarily beautiful face that was now all swollen and bruised. He had to take another deep breath and then another. “She sent word by way of her maid, who said to say, the beast has broken out.”

  Anna’s good eye danced and she smiled. “When?”

  “Not more than an hour after you left, your mother guesses. I set out not long behind and did not see him, but I will not be surprised if he is trying to find you.”

  Kevin glared, “What beast?”

  “Threcher is my horse. My father hates him and calls him ‘the beast.’ But Harold, you did not come all this way to tell me about a horse.”

  “No, no I did not.” He glanced at Kevin and then looked back at her. “’Tis a private matter.”

  “Then we will ask Laird MacGreagor to excuse us.”

  Kevin was not pleased. “Nay, she is not to be alone with any lad save me, until we find the swine that beat her.”

  “I agree,” Harold said, surprising everyone. He was an old man and so short, his head barely reached the giant’s armpit, nor was he aware the three MacGreagor warriors were now standing right behind him. “In that case, I will whisper it…with your permission, Laird MacGreagor.”

  Kevin allowed it, but the warriors made sure Harold kept his hands off of Kevin’s wife.

  Anna listened to his words and then asked, “Does my mother know what is happening?”

  “That is how I knew where to find you.” Harold took a step back and trampled the toes of one of the giants. His eyes flew open wide and he was sure he would meet his maker that very day. Fortunately, the giant didn’t strike him and accepted his hasty apology.

  Now Anna was actually crying. Through a cloud of tears, she thanked Harold and turned to her husband. “Please see that Harold gets home safely. I need him.” She started up the stairs and again Thomas stayed by her side.

  When she turned her back and Harold saw the rope burns, he had to bite his knuckle and turn away until she was out of hearing. Then he lost all control. “That son of a bitch!”

  Kevin and his warriors moved closer. “Who? Tell me his name?”

  “I can not and neither can she.”

  “Why?”

  “There are lives at risk.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Kevin watched his wife disappear into her bedchamber and then studied the sincerity on the man‘s face. “Is Rachel one of them?” Harold looked distressed and could not even begin to speak so Kevin decided to explain. “Anna talked in her sleep.”

  “Oh.” Harold slumped. “That is what I came to tell her. They moved Rachel and we do not know where she is.”

  “Who moved her?”

  “Laird MacGreagor, please do not ask me that question. Rachel is very young and she could be anywhere by now. I can not say for sure, but I would be willing to wager Anna took that beating to save her sister‘s life.”

  Thomas asked, “How did you get all this way on our land without anyone spotting you?”

  “Oh they spotted me; they just did not know it. And if I tell you how, I will not be able to come back.”

  Thomas rolled his eyes, “Kevin, what should we do with him.”

  “See him safely home. Anna wants his help and so do I.” With that, he turned and headed up the stairs. He knew whomever Thomas assigned to see Harold home would grill the man all the way back to England if he had to. Kevin was determined to find out what the hell was going on.

  When he entered the bedchamber, Anna was staring out the window. “Are you all right?” He asked it so softly he wasn’t sure she heard.

  “'Tis a beautiful land.” The window looked out over the colorful glen at the edge of the forest and she was right, it was beautiful. “I suspect I could see it better without all these tears in my eyes.”

  He picked a cloth up off the table and handed it to her. “Would you like to go for a walk?”

  “I can not. I mean, I would not want your people to see me like this.”

  “They are your people now too, and they have already seen you.”

  “Yes, but not for long. Katie will not let me look, but I see it in her eyes and Harold was revolted. I know it must be dreadful.”

  “Would you like a mirror?”

  She turned to him and nodded. She carefully dabbed at her tears, heard him open the door to the next bedchamber, and then watched him come back in.

  He gave her a hand mirror and stepped away. “It was my mother’s and you may keep it if you like.”

  “Thank you.” It took all of her will power, but finally she lifted the mirror and looked. Horrified, she instantly lowered it and closed her eyes. At length she looked again and began to study the damage more closely. She opened her mouth as wide as she could and looked at the inside of her cheek. It was obvious both her upper and lower teeth had deeply cut it. Then she looked for chipped teeth. They seemed undamaged.

  He watched her and was also relieved her teeth were not broken. He noticed how meticulously she examined every inch of her face. Weeks before, he wondered how it would be to have an ugly wife, but dismissed it thinking no woman could live up to the beauty of the one on the horse. Besides, he intended to ignore the woman most of the time. Still, Anna seemed to care, and if she cared, she would likely try to look her best and it would be enough.

  Anna took a deep breath. She was most concerned with her nose. It was bruised, tender to the touch and had a lump on the bridge, but it was once again straight. “Thomas fixed it for me.”

  “He told me. He also said you did not cry out. As I recall, when I fixed his nose he yelled and stomped his foot.”

  It made her smile. She looked in the mirror again and then set it down on the table. “I suspect it will take a week or two to find my face again and I will go daft if I stay hidden away. I believe I would like to take a walk.”

  He was pleased with her; she seemed to be sensible. He could have done a lot worse, he reminded himself, and perhaps he might even like her eventually. He already admired her. She didn’t seem to need his comfort either as he imagined most women would. Instead, her calm manner seemed to soothe his anger and he marveled at the feeling.

  CHAPTER IV

  Her husband never left her side and was there if she needed him as she slowly walked down the steps on the outside of the Keep. Clymer was waiting at the bottom and she remembered he was one of the men who had been kind to her the day before. As soon as she reached the bottom, she touched his arm and thanked him.

  Anna didn’t notice the two older men standing in the courtyard at first, and when she did, she was intrigued by their different colored plaids. Each had two guards behind him and each had his hands clasped behind h
is back.

  Kevin knew they would be there and wanted them to know she would live, as well as to see her brutalized condition. They were his friends and Lairds in their own right, having control over thousands. One held the land closest to Kevin’s to the north and the other to the west. If there was to be a war, he needed them to know first hand the reason.

  Neither stranger betrayed his shock and tried to comfort her with their smiles when she walked to them. She wanted to curtsey to show her respect, but when she stopped and tried, her knee wouldn’t bend well enough and she almost fell. Both men quickly reached out their hands to catch her, but it was Kevin she grabbed hold of, and a second later she regained her balance.

  Kevin was impressed with her attempt and smiled. She was going to be a respectful mistress and a wife he could be proud of in front of his friends. “Will you wait for me over there by Clymer?” She nodded and when she turned her back, Kevin saw the distress in the eyes of his friends. “I must know who did this,” he said in Gaelic.

  Both men nodded, mounted their horses, and then led their guards out of the courtyard and across the bridge. Once the lairds were gone, Kevin realized there wasn’t much of interest for Anna to see in the courtyard, so they started up the path to the cottages. She was stiff, but the more she walked, the easier she moved. Most of the women planted flowers near their cottages and he’d never actually noticed before, but she did. Again he didn’t touch her, but before she leaned down to examine a flower, she reached for his hand. That too pleased him. The sooner she got over her fear of him, the better.

  Being able to touch him took her breath away but she hid it well. His hand was so strong and big, it nearly swallowed hers up. She spent more time examining that flower than she had at any other time in her life. Then she finally stood back up and let go.

  He watched her, held her hand each time she leaned down and also watched his followers. If they stared at her too long, he frowned until they turned away. He also checked to be sure the sun wasn’t burning her back and she was sufficiently covered in the front. In a few days her back would be healed enough to wear better clothing and he would be glad.

  She seemed to be enjoying the walk. She also seemed to be getting tired and didn’t want to let go of his hand, even after she stood back up. So he turned her around and headed back to the keep. “Would you like me to carry you?” The swelling had gone down a little around her bad eye and when she looked up, the sunlight brought out the brilliant blue of her eyes, and it amazed him.

  “I would not hear of it. I will never get my strength back if I cower now.”

  “And you need your strength to help Rachel?”

  She gave him a suspicious look and turned away.

  “Harold told me they moved her.” He noticed her surprise and quickly continued, “Do not blame him. Anna, I can not help if you do not tell me.”

  She stopped and looked into his eyes again. “If I could give you this burden, I would. 'Tis complicated and I must have time to remember and sort it all out.”

  “Let us help you save Rachel. My lads have slipped in and out of places undetected for years. Once we know where she is …”

  “But then my mother would die.”

  He didn’t mean to, but he reeled back. “Your…”

  “I am certain that is why they have been separated. I can not choose between my mother and my sister…though my mother would insist I choose my sister.”

  “And your father?” Anna continued walking and didn’t answer. She was right, he realized, it was complicated. Yet why refuse to discuss her father? Wasn’t he in danger too? If not, he must have something to do with it. He might even have beaten her himself and Kevin found the thought disgusting.

  What could possibly make a man harm his own daughter … unless he had to beat her to make her agree to marry him? No, that wasn’t it, the beating was far too extreme. However, the man wanted something and Kevin was suddenly furious with himself. He should have been more suspicious when Baron Stoneham offered his daughter. Now he knew his first assessment was right: he thought only of having sons and selfishly neglected to ask exactly what the man wanted in return.

  Then again, he could be wrong. He had to know for sure so he pretended not to understand. “Who will kill your mother?” Again, she didn’t answer and he hadn’t expected her to. What was Anna supposed to do to save the lives of her mother and sister? If Harold was right, she’d already taken a beating to save them. Yet Thomas believed whoever beat her meant for her to die. What could a man gain by sending him a dead woman? Kevin could make no sense out of any of it.

  When they reached the steps of the keep, he stopped. “Anna, I will not force you to tell me. But know this, Thomas or I will always be nearby should your burden become too great.”

  She wanted to tell him and wondered why she hesitated. She couldn’t remember her father saying not to tell him. Kevin was being very kind; even so, her mother said her father was kind in the beginning too. For all she knew, she’d stepped out of the pot and into the fire. She didn’t trust him yet, she needed more time to think and something greatly bothered her -- why does a man marry a woman he has not seen? Is it for land, for power, to repay a debt … What?

  Perhaps she should ask him. “What is a laird precisely?”

  “All people must have a leader who can command order. Without it, the clan would be in chaos.”

  “How much land do you have?”

  “Enough.”

  “Do you wish for more?”

  He smiled, leaned against the wall and folded his arms. “We have ample water, trees, meadows and plenty of animals to hunt. Some of our numbers outside the wall raise sheep and cattle. Behind the cottages, our women tend gardens and grow vegetables. We do not need more land.”

  “What do you need?”

  “I have everything I want.”

  This was getting her nowhere.

  She rested all afternoon and felt able to take her evening meal with Katie and Kevin downstairs. Kevin was careful to choose a chair for her without a back, and then sat a little closer than he normally would have, just in case she started to fall. When she noticed, she put her hands on her hips. “You are worse than the women.”

  He chuckled and Katie nearly choked on her wine laughing.

  One of the serving women set a goblet of wine on the table for her and Anna took a sip, but the inside her cheek stung and she grimaced. Katie and Kevin looked as though they hadn’t noticed, but she knew they had. Now she understood why they hadn’t offered her any wine to help her sleep the night before. She disagreed. A little pain in her mouth was well worth easing the pain in her face and back. She gathered her courage, took a longer drink, and swallowed. Then she took another drink. Some of the wine dribbled down her chin and she quickly dabbed it away with a cloth.

  “Does it hurt to talk still?” Katie asked.

  She took a longer drink, closed her eyes, felt the wine beginning to work and finally answered, “A little.” In truth, she was starting not to care if it hurt to talk. “However, you might want to cherish this time. Once I get started you will likely pray for peace and quiet.”

  Katie reached across the table and took hold of Anna’s hand. “Peace and quiet is what we have had in this home for far too long. I believe your company is just what the place needs.” She released Anna’s hand and put a spoon in it. “Tell me, what do you like to do most?”

  “I am not handy with sewing. In fact, I am not handy with most things. I do love to ride, however.”

  Kevin finished a mouth full of food and smiled. “As long as 'Tis safe and you are healed, you may go riding every day if you wish.”

  “How will I know if it is safe?”

  “The lads will not lower the drawbridge if it is not.”

  “I see,” said Anna.

  “Your guard will accompany you.”

  “I do not require a guard.”

  “Aye, but you do. I will not have you hurt again.”

  She sighe
d. She knew she should eat something, but the wine pleased her a lot more so she put the spoon down and took yet another drink. Then she realized her goblet was nearly empty. “Might I have more?”

  “Are you accustomed to drinking so much?” he asked.

  “I am not accustomed to drinking at all. I believe this is only my second time. Harold gave me some when I was injured before and it eased my pain.”

  “You will fall flat on your face if you have more.”

  “Do you fall flat on your face after drinking wine?”

  “Nay,” he admitted.

  “Then neither will I.”

  “I do not drink that much. A lad knows his limit.”

  “And a woman does not.”

  “Not one who is unaccustomed to drinking.”

  “My, but you are a stubborn man.”

  Katie was thoroughly enjoying the banter between them. She noticed the gleam in her brother’s eye, knew Kevin was enjoying it as well and was thrilled. He needed a way out of his loneliness and she hoped a wife would help. Anna obviously had a sharp mind and was not intimidated by her brother. Indeed, Anna was going to be more than a help -- he was going to love her whether he wanted to or not. Perhaps now she could think about a marriage for herself.

  “Why did you marry me?” Anna was asking.

  “Why?” he hesitantly asked.

  “Yes why? You are surrounded by beautiful women yet you chose me sight unseen. There must be a reason.” Anna was concentrating on his reaction and didn’t notice the swell in the chests of the serving women when Katie repeated her words in Gaelic.

  He looked at his sister for help, but now Katie was looking down at her food and appeared to be choosing what she would eat next.

  Anna reached over and lightly covered his hand with hers. “You can tell me. I am your wife, but I hope to be your friend as well. I promise I will not be offended.”

  “I wanted sons,” he admitted finally.

  “And no other woman can give your sons?”

  He was trapped, like he had never felt trapped before, and there was simply no way out of it. How could he tell her he loved another? Well, it couldn’t be helped, she would find out eventually anyway. “I once saw a lass…,” he began, trying to carefully choose his words.