by Cathy MacRae
“You think Elliot will want to enter into an agreement through my marriage to Duncan?” Anna hadn’t considered the possibility.
“I can assure ye, as a father, yer grandda will be verra glad to hear his granddaughter is well. He will use the opportunity of yer marriage to forge a relationship with us. Ye are all he has left of his beloved daughter. I can only think of what it would be like to lose Nessa, and have only her child left to care for. She would be a priceless jewel to us, as Nessa is now. I will be surprised if we dinnae see an Elliot representative within a fortnight.”
The thought of hearing from her grandfather raised Anna’s spirits. She mulled over other possibilities until the laird’s voice broke through her musings.
“I am told ye have begun training Iain and Malcolm.”
Anna looked at him tentatively, hearing no rebuke in his voice. “Yes, Laird. With your permission, Iain suggests a small group might be willing to allow me to instruct them.”
Refilling their goblets, he gave her a hard look. “With my permission? First Duncan, now Iain and Malcolm. Before long, I will discover every man under my command will have found a way to train with ye. Starting in two days, ye will take over the morning session with my guard. With Duncan out, Tavish is in charge. Ye will report to him on the training grounds. Split the time evenly between sword work and unarmed combat.”
Anna couldn’t believe her ears. She was to be responsible for training the laird’s guard? This went well beyond what she had hoped. Her throat constricted, tears of gratitude burning her eyes.
Kenneth’s eyebrows arched. “Why so surprised? Only a fool doesnae accept the gifts he is given. That they are borne by a woman matters not. Or are you hesitant to accept this assignment? Did I not hear your pledge of loyalty a few moments ago?”
Wordlessly, Anna nodded her assent.
With a grunt of satisfaction, Kenneth queried, “It dinnae bother you these men may be called upon to fight the English in the future?”
She found her voice. “No, Laird. My living family is Scots, my future husband and family are Scots. As far as I am concerned, the English side of me died along with my father and brother. Other than getting used to the cold, I could not ask for a better home. I will gladly offer my knowledge and sword to train and defend clan MacGregor.”
Kenneth gave her a satisfied smile. “Ye must be tired and hungry. Go, I will see a tray is brought to ye in Nessa’s room.”
She met his eyes. “I would stay by Duncan’s side to watch for sign of fever, or in case he needs something, Laird.”
Kenneth gazed at her for a moment before answering. “Aye. I will have the tray brought to Duncan’s room. Get some rest.”
“Thank you, Laird.”
As she rose to leave, he said, “We have come a long way, ye and I.”
Her gaze met his. “Aye.”
She found Nessa curled in one of the chairs near Duncan’s bed. Mairi rose from the other to greet her, grasping both of Anna’s hands and giving them a gentle squeeze before releasing her.
“Welcome home, my soon-to-be daughter. I had a bath drawn for ye. We have seen to Duncan, and now ’tis yer turn. Come. Nessa can keep watch for a few moments whilst ye wash away the grime from battle and yer travels. Ye need clean clothes.”
Glancing down, Anna realized her clothes were stained with blood and other things she was too tired to contemplate. Without the strength to argue, she followed Mairi to Nessa’s room, where Isla readied her bath. Trean rose from his bed and slipped to her side. Anna bent and scratched his ears.
Isla looked at him in surprise. “I dinnae see him when I came in the room. What a quiet puppy!”
“’Tis a wolf and bonded to me. He is very young and likely watched you carefully.” Anna gave Isla an apologetic smile. “He is not a pet.”
The girl eyed the pup doubtfully as Anna stripped her stained clothing away and stepped into the tub. The hot water immediately relaxed her muscles and she sighed deeply.
Mairi sat next to her. “Duncan explained more about what happened.”
Responsibility for his plight flooded back, and she fought off tears. “He would be uninjured if not for me,” she managed. Though she remembered the laird’s words, a terrible sense of responsibility remained.
Mairi didn’t argue, allowing silence to pass while Isla washed Anna’s hair. “Has Duncan told ye about Callum?”
Anna glanced at her, remembering the name from that night at camp. She shook her head.
“Duncan had a twin brother. ’Twas difficult even for me to tell them apart. They were inseparable, so close I often wondered if they shared the same soul. Whilst good lads, they were very active, always into mischief. One day, when they were two and ten summers, they were sparring with wooden swords, as they did every day. Their play brought them close to the burn. ’Twas early spring, and the waters ran high, swollen from melted snows. Callum lost his footing, fell in and drowned.” Mairi’s voice trembled and tears fell.
Anna grasped her hand, feeling her own heart lurch at the woman’s words.
Mairi smiled feebly, breathed deeply to regain her composure, and continued. “After that day, the lighthearted boy I knew, who delighted in the world around him, became serious and withdrawn. He no longer engaged in the playful antics of his age, but instead assumed more responsibilities around the keep, especially at the stables. Tending the horses seemed to bring him solace.
“His father and I were encouraged as he threw himself into useful tasks. Whilst we grieved the loss of one son, we grieved the loss of innocence in the other. He became quiet, thoughtful, always considering his words and actions. He has been highly responsible and protective, though distant, since. I havenae seen anyone engage his affections or emotions until ye arrived.”
In spite of the tragedy of the story, Anna’s heart warmed at Mairi’s words.
“Ye havenae been here long enough to know how much ye sparked a change in my son. He is resolved to marry ye. Part of being married means bearing each other’s burdens. If not for us, Alain wouldnae have notified the earl of yer presence here, nor attacked you. So the argument of who is to blame cuts both ways.” Mairi smiled wryly. “Believe me, ye will carry yer fair share of the load as the wife of the MacGregor laird. Running the castle can drive one mad.”
Anna felt an easing in her chest. Along with the laird’s words, the truth of Mairi’s argument did much to lessen her guilt. Perhaps it wasn’t her fault. Mairi’s comment about assuming the role of chatelaine reminded Anna of her discussion with Duncan on the same topic.
“Aunt Mairi, fear not, for you will not be out of a job anytime soon. Who will watch our children? Or make sure Ciardun runs smoothly whilst I am riding with Duncan, seeing to the needs of our clan and defending our borders?” Anna asked.
“Dear God, ye cannae be serious?” Mairi asked, a stricken look on her face.
“I am quite serious. I explained to your son that simply because we marry doesn’t mean I will cease doing what I have done all my life. I will gladly make compromises, particularly whilst breeding, but being wed will not change who I am.”
Mairi laughed. “I can see ye and I will have plenty to discuss during our afternoon talks. I may yet surrender to those convulsions ye spoke of, if this indeed is what the future holds.”
Chapter 20
Once finished with her bath, Anna fed Trean from the tray brought up from the kitchen, then returned to Duncan’s bedside, the wolf pup at her heels. Nessa gasped, her eyes wide as Anna and Trean entered the room. Slipping from her chair, she knelt on the floor, patting the rug with her hand. Trean eyed her, but showed no signs of accepting her invitation.
“Trean is a wolf, Nessa. He may grow to trust you, but he is not likely to want to cuddle.”
Nessa tilted her head, her lips pursed in a moue of disappointment. “I think he is adorable!”
Anna chuckled. “I do not think he will be adorable when he loses his baby fat.”
“Come, Nessa. �
�Tis time we took our leave.” Mairi grasped Nessa’s hand and helped her to her feet. Breaking free at the door, Nessa ran to Anna, gripping her in a fierce hug.
“Thank ye for saving my brother’s life. I couldnae ask for a better sister.”
“On the morrow, if you fetch breakfast, I will tell you all about the handsome Blaine Graham,” Anna teased, hugging her firmly.
Nessa pulled away, a huge smile on her face as she kissed Anna’s cheek and followed her mother from the room.
Duncan slept soundly. Resisting the urge to crawl into bed with him, Anna poured a cup of chamomile tea and banked the fire while Trean created a cave beneath Duncan’s bed. Satisfied her betrothed was comfortable, Anna settled into the cushioned chair next to his bed, staring into the coals until sleep found her.
The next morning, she woke at first light. She stroked Duncan’s hair, feeling his cool forehead. He stirred at her touch and pulled her into bed with his uninjured arm. She feathered soft kisses over his face, neck and lips, careful to not place any pressure on his wounds.
“I love ye, Anna Braxton,” he whispered.
“As I love you, Duncan MacGregor.” Anna realized saying the words echoed the truth of them in her heart. She checked the skin around his dressings. Satisfied to find no swelling, she settled into his embrace, vibrantly aware of every point their bodies touched. “May I do something for you?”
“Touch me. I love it when ye touch me.”
Smiling, Anna stroked his face and neck, using light touches to caress. She moved her hand through the opening of his shirt, skimming across his shoulders. Tracing the lines of his collarbones, her fingers brushed the muscles of his chest. He closed his eyes with a contented sigh. She continued her path, stopping at his nipples, which hardened under her touch. Curious, she circled first one, then the other with her fingers. His breath hitched and his face hardened.
“Do you like that?” Anna asked softly.
“Very much,” he whispered.
Emboldened by her ability to affect him so, she continued her slow exploration down his ribs to his smooth stomach. At her touch, his muscles rippled beneath her hand and his hips moved slightly, his breathing labored.
Feeling brave and delighted she pleased him, Anna slowly slid her hand lower and felt the firm tip of his manhood. Curious, her fingers trailed further. Duncan’s eyes flew open and his body stiffened. She sucked in a startled breath as his hand covered hers.
“Anna, please.” He inhaled sharply.
“Did I hurt you?”
He gave her a tight smile of assurance. “Nae, just the opposite. Ye have no idea how good it feels.”
Buoyed by his words and her discovery, she shifted her position over him and splayed her free hand over his chest. His grip tightened. She dragged his leine upward, leaving his body to her view. Her belly tightened as she perused him, her fingers following her slow gaze. A low murmur of approval from Duncan, as his cock strained upward, urged her on.
Her touch grew bolder and she wrapped her fingers around his rigid staff, squeezing gently at first, then tighter. Moisture beaded at the tip and she lightly ran her thumb around it, spreading the glistening wetness. His hips bucked upward.
“Anna.” Duncan’s voice cracked.
She froze. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Nae.” A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest.
Anna considered the wry grin on his face and squeezed his cock again. “What happens if I do not stop?”
His face darkened. “I will spill myself in yer hand.”
“Do you want me to stop?”
A choked laugh burst from his lips. “Nae.”
Tentatively, she stroked his cock and it pulsed beneath her fingers. She bent closer and ran the tip of her tongue around the tip. His cock jerked convulsively. Taking him in her mouth, she continued to stroke him, increasing her pressure and rhythm.
Duncan gripped the bedclothes, a moan drawing from his throat, his breathing labored. Suddenly, his body hardened and shuddered, her name a constricted whisper from his throat. He grabbed her shoulders and tried to pull her away, but she easily resisted and felt his warmth spill forth. She lightly kissed and caressed him as he softened in her hand.
His breathing evened and he reached for her. Fascinated and elated to have pleasured him so fully, she placed a final kiss on the tip of his retreating cock and allowed him to reposition her under his arm.
Peering at him from beneath her lashes, she idly trailed a fingertip down his chest. “Did you enjoy that as much as I did?” A tingling sensation, much like the one created by his kisses, lingered low in her belly.
“Ye enjoyed that?”
“Very much,” Anna purred. “Did you?” She knew he did, but wanted to hear him say it.
“My angel, ye just took me to heaven and back. How could I not enjoy such a trip?”
She nibbled his ear, then whispered, “Good, because I like the way you taste, and want to do it again.”
Winding his fingers through her hair, he answered, “The next time ’twill be my turn to do the same for ye, my love.”
Anna propped on an elbow and looked at him askance. “Duncan, be serious. I do not have a cock.”
Hugging her tightly, he chuckled. “Nae, ye do not, thank the saints, but ye have something better, and I shall look forward to showing it to ye.”
Anna nestled onto his shoulder, making lazy circles with her fingertips in the coarse hair covering his chest. Her body hummed with the need to be close to him.
“I find myself wondering what I did to deserve ye,” he murmured.
She leaned over and kissed him, tugging his lower lip with her teeth. “Remember, we have yet to address my role as your wife. I fear you may be getting more than you bargained for, my dearest Duncan.”
“Oh, I havenae forgotten, boidheach laoch, my beautiful warrior—she who is able to send a man straight to heaven or hell, depending on her mood.”
Anna liked that very much, and was about to playfully reply when a tap at the portal ended their privacy. Hopping off the bed, she straightened the bed clothes before opening the door to admit Nessa.
She greeted them with a tray of Anna’s favorite breakfast foods and a hot bowl of porridge for Duncan. “Good morrow, brother, good morrow, sister. When is the wedding?” Her youthful face glowed with happiness. Duncan and Anna both chuckled at her question.
“Good morrow, Nessa,” Anna replied. “We have yet to discuss a wedding day, but you will be the first to know when we decide. What have we here? I see you took my parting words quite seriously.”
Nessa grinned as she put the tray down on a side table and plopped into one of the chairs. “Aye, I did. I have been looking forward to hearing what ye have to tell me.”
Anna helped Duncan sit, supporting his injured shoulder with a pillow. Grabbing the porridge, she dipped the spoon and raised the bite to his lips.
“I am able to feed myself, woman. Place the bowl and spoon here. My sister demands an audience with ye.” His voice was gruff, but his eyes sparkled with humor.
After settling the bowl on his lap, Anna watched him take in the first spoonful before she spoke. She started by telling Nessa a slightly watered-down version of her conversation with Iain at the market—minus Colina’s physical attributes. Delighted to hear about Iain and Colina, Nessa quickly grew impatient to hear about Blaine Graham. Wickedly teasing the girl, Anna dragged out her story until Nessa whined and bounced in her chair with agitation.
Duncan and Anna told of their meeting with the young man. As suspected, Duncan glossed over the specifics Anna knew Nessa would want to know. Anna happily supplied them, enduring a litany of questions going well beyond her ability to answer. Nessa at last seemed satisfied.
“Dinnae get yer hopes up too much, little sister. ’Tis no sure thing,” Duncan warned.
Nessa waved him off. “I know, but it gives me something to dream about.”
Anna smiled at the sight of this beautiful, budding you
ng woman. Almost ready to become a wife, Nessa’s remnants of childhood demonstrated her need to fantasize about love. Finishing their meal, Anna and Nessa removed Duncan’s dressings and examined his wounds. With a series of questions, Anna led her through the steps to ensure proper healing, keeping infection at bay.
Duncan grew sleepy, so Anna suggested they leave him for a while. Nessa took the tray down to the kitchen. Anna leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“If you wish to continue our earlier discussion, my lord, I will be delighted to oblige.”
Smiling, he caressed her cheek. “I look forward to carrying our discussion further, love, when we can be assured of a bit of privacy. Believe me, there is much to discuss.”
A tremor slid low through Anna’s belly at his words. With reluctance, she brushed the hair from his face then left, pulling the door closed behind her.
Several packages waited on her bed, one of which she didn’t recognize. Curiosity getting the best of her, she opened it and discovered a stack of books bound together with twine. On top lay a copy of Plato’s Dialogues, and a volume each of Aristotle’s logic and physics treatises beneath.
In addition, a book of poetry and prose, along with one each on mathematics and astronomy. All were battered, but in good enough shape. A new book she had not seen before lay at the bottom of the stack. Inventarium Sive Chirurgia Magna. To her great surprise and delight, this book was a comprehensive manual on surgery and medical treatments. Written in Latin, many of the subjects covered held new knowledge for her. Anna knew Nessa would be as excited as she to explore it.
Another stack held three new, leather-bound volumes filled with blank pages. A wooden tube full of blank scrolls, several quills, a bottle of ink and a trimming tool lay nearby. Anna knew instinctively Duncan had purchased the items for her and saw them as a clear invitation to write out things she had learned. Grabbing the gifts she’d obtained for Nessa and Lady MacGregor, she delivered them. Anna placed Mairi’s special present under her pillow with a note of thanks. She left the package with the laird’s belt and sporran on top of the bed.