Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

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 him. 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 scunner and freeing Anna’s mother would be easy. Still, 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 th e 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 t he rest of it.
    Anna turned her back and moved away from the window. They knew. It was her own father who had beat en 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 En gland. 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 thoug ht maybe he should go to her to make sure she didn’t fall, but he was too late. Two of his warriors raced back to walk by her side and 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