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

  “Did you think she was handsome?”

  He couldn’t help himself. “She was more than handsome, she was...” He stopped, wondering how the devil he was going to get through this.

  “Please continue, I want to know all about her.”

  “She was on a horse.”

  Anna’s heart leapt.

  Katie could hardly believe what she was seeing. Kevin was Laird over hundreds and one little woman was making him squirm like a guilty child. She glanced at the two women standing behind him and noticed they were completely enjoying Anna’s audacity even though they couldn‘t understand a word of it.

  Anna didn’t look away and didn’t move her hand which prevented him from eating. “The lass was on a horse and what?”

  He cleared his throat and decided not to elaborate on the woman‘s beauty. “It was not so much her appearance as it was the love she and the horse shared. I have never seen anything like it.”

  “Go on.”

  “Nay, I have said quite enough. Talk of something else.”

  “Does everyone else know about this woman?”

  “Aye.”

  “Good, then I will ask one of them.”

  Kevin slumped. “What more do you wish to know?”

  “Well, what did the woman do to make you think she and the horse cared for each other?”

  “Tricks, but it was not the tricks that impressed me, it was the way she trusted him with her life. The horse could have killed her but somehow I knew he would not.” Once he got started, Kevin couldn’t seem to stop himself. “And she used no bridle nor signaled with her arms. Instead, she talked to him and the horse knew exactly what to do.”

  Anna finally removed her hand, relieved him of his misery, and smiled. “Thank you for explaining. We will not talk of this again.” Her heart was beating so fast she hoped no one could tell. Kevin not only remembered her, he talked like a man in love. He had chosen an unseen woman because he couldn’t have the one he really wanted. If only he knew, the woman in his heart was sitting right beside him. Someday, she might just tell him.

  He often dreamed about the woman with the horse. It was a pleasant dream filled with blue skies, wild flowers, love, hope and laughter. But this night the dream was dark, the horse was mean, the woman fell and he woke up with a start. As soon as he shook the memory out of his mind, he went to check on his wife.

  Her door was open and she wasn’t in bed. Instead, she was still dressed and standing at the window again.

  “Anna, you need to rest.”

  “I have rested most of the day. Now I need to think.”

  “Would you like my company?” She didn’t say no, so he stayed. He leaned against the wall near the window and waited for a long time before she spoke again.

  “My mother is chained to her bed.”

  “Dear...”

  Anna raised her hand to stop him. “Please, let me get this said. It is not easy for me.” She paused to collect her thoughts again, turned toward him and continued. “She tried to leave my father when Rachel was a baby, so he chains her and locks the door to her bedchamber. The only time he lets her out is to bathe. You see, he holds us captive, all of us, even the servants. When we do something that displeases him, he punishes my mother.”

  Kevin hung his head.

  “We have tried everything to save her. We even sent a plea to the king, but my father is a very clever man. He does not hurt her where it will show and if she does not obey him in front of company, he threatens to kill one of us. The king even came, believed she was fit and dismissed our plea.”

  “Was it your father who beat you?”

  She hesitated, wondering if she should admit it. Kevin was guessing, but if she said ‘no’ he would find out and hate her for lying. Besides, it was too late to stop now. “Yes.”

  “I will kill him.” He watched her carefully to judge her reaction but she remained calm.

  “I have often vowed to do the same.” She took a deep breath, “God help me, I have thought about it far more often than is fitting for a woman.”

  “What stopped you?”

  She turned back to look out the window. “Fear. He is a strong man and if I failed, he would kill me and that could hardly help my mother and sister. Harold, the man who came here, is my dearest friend...my only friend. He once found me...” She decided not to elaborate on that. “He does not live on our estate, but when I can, I go to him. Many are the days Harold and I have plotted to kill my father. His guards will not let any man near him or Harold would gladly do it.” She shook her head in sorrow. “God will never forgive me for these evil thoughts.”

  “I have a hundred lads who would be glad to have the honor.”

  “Can your men get to him before he kills my mother?”

  “Aye, they can.”

  “If only it were that simple.”

  “Why is it not that simple?”

  “We would never find Rachel. He has given her to someone and I have searched my mind, but I can not think who. She could be anywhere.” Anna abruptly grabbed Kevin’s arm. “Do you hate my father?”

  “I do.”

  “Why?”

  “Because he hurt you.”

  “Yes, that is exactly what he hoped. He broke no bones and my insides are not harmed. He wanted only to disfigure me enough to make you hate him.”

  “But why? I have given him no cause.”

  “I do not know. He said, but I can not remember.” She started to bite her lower lip and hurt herself. “I suppose I should not do that for a while.”

  They were both lost in thought for several minutes before he asked, “Are you tired enough to sleep now?”

  “I believe I am.” She surprised him when she reached up on tiptoe and briefly put her bruised cheek against his. Then she let go, stood back and narrowed her eyes. “You appear to be a kind man, but so did my father once. I warn you now, no man will ever chain me to a bed.”

  He took hold of her hand. “I assure you, my followers, both lads and lasses, would never let such a thing happen. They seem to think you belong to them now.” With that, he walked out of the room, closed the door and quietly went downstairs where his pacing wouldn’t bother anyone.

  Angus was the inside sentry for the night and he soon got dizzy watching him. If Kevin wanted to talk, he would. Until then, it was Angus’ job to be on guard and to alert his laird if there was trouble outside.

  Kevin was so angry he wanted to tear Anna’s father apart and make him suffer before he killed him. Anna had been beaten before and probably more than once. No wonder she was so brave, she was accustomed to it. Then he remembered how she wanted more wine to dull her pain. He wanted her to eat something first and forgot to give her more before she want to bed. At least that was one mistake he could do something about. He grabbed a goblet, quickly filled it and went back up to her room. When he went in, she was trying to unbutton the top of her gown in the back. Both her arms were raised, the bottom of the cut out square in her gown was touching her lower rope burn and she was softly moaning.

  He handed her the goblet and watched her greedily drink. Then he walked behind her and began to unbutton her gown. “Do you want me to stay until you sleep? I will turn my back while you undress and get in bed.”

  She had terror in her eyes when she answered, “No,”

  He finished with her buttons and walked back around to see her face. “You promise not to fall if I leave?”

  “I promise.”

  “I meant to give you more wine earlier. Please forgive me for neglecting it and wake me if you need more.” It wasn’t easy to read her expression through all that swelling, but he thought she looked puzzled when he left. Perhaps he was mistaken.

  He went back downstairs, poured himself some wine, drank and started to pace again. Never in his life had he heard of a woman being chained to a bed. He couldn’t think of that now, it made him too furious. Instead, he concentrated on what else Anna told him. Her father did it to make Kevin hate hi
m. Why? What had he done? He mulled it over and over in his mind and came up with far more questions than answers.

  Then he thought about the way she put her cheek to his. Was it affection or was it gratitude? How was he supposed to know, he’d never been married before. Aside from the woman on the horse, he’d hardly wanted to be around women except to satisfy his lust. He told himself he would talk to Katie; she would know.

  He stopped pacing, sat down at the long table, and rested his head in his hands. Why on earth did he care anyway? He only married her to have sons. Affection or gratitude shouldn’t matter in the least. No, he would not talk to Katie. Finding Rachel should be his only concern. After that, killing the toerag and freeing Anna’s mother would be easy. Yet if Anna had no idea where Rachel was, how would they find her?

  It was time to confide in his men. They were wise and maybe they would have suggestions.

  CHAPTER V

  The counsel of Kevin’s ten most trusted men was called for early the next morning. Instead of holding it in the great hall where they would disturb Anna’s sleep, they walked across the drawbridge and into the glen.

  Anna was not asleep. Instead, she was watching from her window and could just imagine what he was telling them. Still, she wasn’t sure until every one of them became suddenly enraged. Several of them cursed and then spit on the ground. Kevin let them vent their anger for a while longer before he put his hand up to quiet them. Then he told them the rest of it.

  Anna turned her back and moved away from the window. They knew. It was her own father who beat her and now everyone would know. She was so embarrassed and humiliated she felt sick to her stomach. Maybe she shouldn’t have told Kevin.

  Yet she thought about it most of the night and she had no other choice. She was a good two and maybe three days away and there was nothing she could do without riding all the way back to England. Then what could she do?

  She once hid behind a tree outside the wall that encircled their estate. She loaded her bow with an arrow and she would have shot her father, but he never came out. He rarely left and never when she was outside the wall.

  Anna needed an army and it occurred to her, her husband just happened to have one. Maybe Kevin could save her mother and sister. Suddenly, she remembered something more.

  He noticed Anna right away. She walked into the meadow toward him with all the charm and grace of a queen. He thought maybe he should go to her and make sure she didn’t fall, but he was too late. Two of his warriors raced back to walk by her side and he noticed that she thanked each of them. He patiently waited until she came closer. “Is there something you need?”

  “Yes, I need to warn you.”

  “Of what?”

  “My father means to burn your home and kill all of your people.” Thomas interpreted and most of the men grumbled something when he finished, but when she turned to look at them, they quieted.

  “Did he say when?” Thomas asked.

  She started to do her own pacing in front of her husband and the warriors got out of her way so she could. “I have been thinking about that. Father said I was to agree to marry Kevin and then wait.”

  “Wait for what?” Kevin asked.

  “I do not know. He said that if I were a good girl, he would see that I was not killed and I could go back home. The wedding was not supposed to be until next week and only Harold knows we are already married.”

  Thomas cleared his throat and got her attention. “Everyone knows now, Milady. We delayed the feast and sent word to all the clans.”

  “I see.” She turned again to her husband. “Tell me, why did you marry me so quickly?”

  He wasn‘t about to tell her the truth. “I wanted to keep you safe.”

  “This you could not do without marrying me?”

  Thomas came to his laird’s rescue. “Aye, but you are safer still now that you are his wife. The other clans will not dare harm you.” He prayed she would accept that explanation.

  Anna lightly rubbed her forehead. “I believe you spoiled my father’s plans and who knows what he will do now. I was not told to marry you. I was told to go to your home, simply agree to marry you and then wait. Wait for what? The day of our wedding when you would be distracted and your defenses would be down?”

  “Aye, but our defenses are never down,” Kevin said.

  Justin, Kevin’s third in command who also spoke English, had been quiet the whole time and even now, he remained thoughtful before he spoke. “Did you say, Milady, that your father wanted us to hate him?”

  “I did.”

  “Perhaps he means to draw us out.”

  “How?” Kevin asked.

  Anna caught her breath, “Rachel...he means to use Rachel. He knows I will try to save her and if he kills me, you would...”

  Kevin suddenly took her elbow and turned her to him. “Do not say such a thing. I will not let anyone kill you.”

  “I am not convinced you can stop him. He holds favor with the king and tells his lies very well. He might convince the King of England to fight you.”

  “You will not die!”

  She was surprised by his reaction. If he loved her, she wouldn‘t have been surprised at all, but he loved the woman on the horse. It must be his pride. All men were filled with pride and his pride was certainly not going to let her die without a fight, just as she would not let her sister die either, though she couldn’t think how to prevent it. Kevin’s voice broke into her thoughts.

  “Anna, is that all of it?”

  She moved away and began to pace again. “It is so difficult to remember. Please allow me a moment to think.” She walked back and forth twice more before she stopped. “He talked of revenge, but not at you. That’s right, he said your father tricked him and he has not forgotten.”

  Kevin raised his voice and nearly shouted at her, “My father has been dead these seven years. What could he have done?”

  Instead of being frightened by his tone, she was suddenly frustrated and was about to run her fingers through her hair when she remembered the scarf and quickly lowered her hand. She started to pace again. “I do not know, Kevin. I remember the soldiers holding me and father cutting my hair with his dagger. Then he thought to cut my face so I would have an unsightly scar.”

  Anna quickly went on, “I was concentrating on which way to turn my head, and it was not an easy decision. If I moved my head too far, he would cut my throat. He must have changed his mind. I wasn’t prepared for his fist and I do not remember all this bruising. I must have passed out.”

  “She is tired, Kevin,” Thomas whispered. “We have hounded the poor lass enough. I will take her back.”

  “Nay, I will take her back. I should not have yelled at her.”

  “Aye, you should not have. The women might poison your food if you do it again.”

  She was finally alone again in her bedchamber and it was over. She’d told Kevin everything she could remember and fretting wasn’t going to help. If only she could figure out where her father had hidden Rachel. And dear God was her mother still alive? He had no reason to spare her now that Anna had done what he wanted. She thought about getting down on her knees to pray, but it would be too painful.

  What she feared almost as much as losing her mother and sister was the thought of a battle. She might lose even more if it came to that, she had only just found Kevin and she could not bear the thought of him dying because of her. Exhausted, she couldn’t think anymore so she curled up on her bed and fell asleep.

  By the time Kevin returned to his counsel, the men were pondering the inevitable questions: What had Kevin’s father done to make Baron Stoneham want revenge? And why now?

  “Perhaps he waited until Anna was old enough to marry?” Thomas suggested.

  Clymer asked, “How old do you think she is?”

  “I did not bother to ask,” Kevin admitted. He’d really made a mess of everything. She had the body and the mind of a woman, but without seeing her face there was no way to even guess how old
she was.

  Thomas said, “More likely, the toerag just thought of his plan. A lad with revenge in his heart often waits for the best possible time to strike. He heard you wanted a wife and that began it.”

  “We must ask the elders what your father did to the toerag. They would know.” Justin appreciated the nods from the other men.

  “Aye, but most of our elders died in the plague and more have died since,” Kevin reminded them. It was another mountain to climb and all of them tried to think whom they could ask. Perhaps someone in another clan remembered.

  “Athena did not die,” Thomas muttered.

  Kevin headed back to the hold, crossed the bridge and then turned up the path to the cottages. Athena had been one of his mother’s closest friends and still mourned the loss. He would try not to upset her; at least that was his plan.

  She was indeed an elder, though she was barely over forty-five. With wars, childbirth and sickness, it could be a harsh life in the Highlands and more than a few women were lost because of it. He knocked lightly on her door and waited for her to answer. She was a tall woman with long dark hair braided down the middle of her back. She was obviously pleased to see him until she thought of something and her smile faded.

  “What is it?” He left the door open and the other men outside.

  “Your mother would weep over what has happened to your wife.”

  He knew if he gave in to her desire to talk about his mother, all hope of a quick conversation would be lost. “Athena, I need your help. There is a lad by the name of Stoneham who...”

  “Is that toerag still alive?” She plopped herself down in a chair and folded her arms in a huff.

  “You know him?” He could see the ire in her eyes and started to be concerned about her health.

  “Stoneham is not his real name, 'Tis MacGreagor.”

  Kevin couldn’t believe his ears. At length, he sat down and put his head in his hands. “My wife is Stoneham’s daughter.” The woman beside him didn’t say a word, so he slowly raised his head to see her face.