Highland Escape (25 page)

Waiting impatiently, Anna briefly related the story of the trip to the women, leaving out many details for Nessa’s benefit. Eyes wide, Lady MacGregor put her servants into motion as she hurried to her son’s side.

Pulling two chairs next to Duncan’s bed, Mairi took one. She doted over Duncan while Anna and Nessa prepared fresh poultices and dressings. Keeping their minds busy and away from the reality of their patient, Anna used it as a teaching opportunity, describing what she’d done thus far, and why. The laird glanced her way briefly, then left the room.

Duncan appeared better, but Anna knew infection from such wounds killed as often as the wound itself. Unable to stem her deep sense of blame to see him injured, Anna avoided eye contact, quickly glancing away when his gaze tried to catch hers. She knew he attempted to comfort her, but his need to make her feel better did nothing to assuage her guilt. With Mairi and Nessa present, there was no opportunity for private words between them.

A gentle knock sounded, and Mairi rose to answer the summons. Malcolm peeked in.

“Lady Anna, the laird bids ye join him downstairs.”

As she arrived at the lard’s solar, MacGregor rose from his chair in front of the fire.

He waved to the seat next to his. “Please sit. Can I offer ye wine?” His voice and expression gave her no clue as to his mood.

She nodded, wordlessly accepting the goblet. Taking a long drink, she allowed the dark liquid to warm her insides as the libation coursed its way through her blood.

“Ye had quite an adventure. I would hear yer version of it.”

Though his voice sounded gentle, the command rang clear. Taking a deep breath, Anna set her goblet aside and began from the day they left until they returned. When she reached the part of the attack, she handed him the bag of coins along with the note from the Earl of Northumberland.

They both stared into the fire for a long time. Fear of the laird’s anger for her responsibility, and the possibility of being asked to leave, gnawed at her gut. His prediction of her presence bringing enemies to his clan echoed in her ears.

“I understand ye are to become my daughter-by-marriage.” Kenneth still stared at the fire, his voice calm.

Of all the things she expected to hear from him, this was not among them, and it took a moment for her to recover. “Duncan asked me to marry him two days ago.” Anna held her breath, waiting for his reaction, wondering if recent events made their betrothal unacceptable.

The laird must have read her discomfort, for he smiled. “Duncan spoke to me a few weeks ago about his intentions. I am pleased the two of ye have come to an accord.”

She was surprised by this news, but upon reflection, she shouldn’t have been. She knew Duncan was close to his father and would seek his advice and approval.

“Is there no other match you wish him to make, then?”

“Nae. There are no daughters of marrying age among our allies at this time, nor among those with whom we might forge a new bond. Besides, I doubt it would make a whit of difference if there were.” His smile deepened, but the lines of worry still creased his forehead.

Anna wanted to return his smile, but her guilt shoved like a dagger in her chest.

Duncan’s father shrugged. “He is quite determined to have ye. My son has always been quiet, thinking through a situation before acting. I have never seen him so resolute and passionate about anyone or anything before.”

Knowing how important alliances were to the safety and well-being of the clans, Anna’s stomach twisted with guilt, realizing she brought nothing to this marriage. “I regret I bring no benefit to your clan, though I promise to serve faithfully.”

The laird’s eyes narrowed and his face folded into a frown. “Ye are mistaken. Already, ye have saved both my son’s and daughter’s lives, along with several of my men.”

Holding up his hand to halt her argument, he continued. “I understand ye think this ordeal is yer fault, but as with Shamus, ye dinnae instigate the attack. Alain would have found another way to get himself into trouble. Had I allowed Duncan to kill him when he wanted, this never would have happened. So ye see, Anna, I too feel guilty my son lies upstairs seriously wounded, and a good man I have known since his birth is dead.”

Anna squirmed uncomfortably in her chair. She was not ready to relinquish her sense of responsibility and the remorse accompanying it. Kenneth sighed.

“Duncan is right, you dinnae see yer own value. Ye won us favor with the Graham, which is not easily done. An alliance would be a boon for our clan. Ye saw how large and prosperous they are. They field almost twice as many men, and their location is advantageous. Ye witnessed the benefits from trade, from having friends who live where the Highlands meet the Lowlands.”

Anna jerked her head in agreement.

“The information gained by having an ally to the south, plus having a buffer between our home and the English, is quite valuable. In addition, the Graham laird seeks a match for his son. Yer actions helped make Nessa a bride he considers. Tell me what you think of Blaine Graham.”

Relieved to find MacGregor still firmly supporting her, much of the tension she carried faded. Agreeable to the change in their conversation, she related her observations about Blaine, proposing they host him before negotiations grew serious.

“Thank you for sending the missive to my family,” she added.

A grin broke out on his face. “Ah, the other alliance. Ye think you bring naught to our clan, but in one sennight, I predict ye have prepared the ground for not one, but two treaties. Though Elliot lies too far south for regular contact, any pact strengthens our position. Graham and Elliot allies potentially become MacGregor allies. A united Scotland benefits us all. ’Tis only a matter of time before war comes with the English again. Longshanks is too greedy. When it does, Elliot and other border clans will be the tip of the spear.”

“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.