Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

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 . E ven 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 , 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 i t, 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.”
    T his 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 was so amused, she ne arly choked on her wine .
    One of the serving women set a goblet of wine on the table for her and Anna took a sip, but the inside of 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 ‘t is 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 sighed. She knew she should eat something, but the wine pleased her a lot more . S he 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