Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

far wall, put his right arm high against it and lowered his head to think.
    Justin studied each of the faces in the room. Naturally, he and Kevin remembered what happened thirteen years ago and so did Angus. Clymer died, Thomas was now the laird over the Cameron Clan and he took Katie with him. Gordon was close to Justin’s same age, but didn’t live with the MacGreagors at the time. Finley might have heard something. Rachel knew nothing and he doubted Connor did either. Of course, gossip was a great form of entertainment, but after all this time most of the gossip was just plain wrong.
    Still, none of them had witnessed Anna and Catherin’s distress and could not possibly understand. But Kevin had and Justin imagined Kevin was doing the same thing he was -- swearing under his breath -- that scunner !
    It was several moments before Kevin came back to the table. “There are many others to consider. My wife and her mother will understand their need is not greater.”
    Rachel was appalled. “Kevin, they will go daft and so will I. You need to send someone out and I have a need to go. If you do not let me, I will never belong to the MacGreagors again!”
    Kevin looked wounded. “Rachel, you do not know what you are saying.”
    She turned on him with rage in her eyes. “I know this: you cannot keep me in except by force and if you try, I will find a way out even if I have to wait until the war is ended. Once the bridge is down , I will leave and I will not come back! What will my mother and sister do then?”
    Justin bowed his head. “They will go with you.”
    Finlay was shocked. “Anna is our Mistress and the people love her. She cannot leave us, can she?”
    Kevin’s temper was beginning to rise. “Would you have me keep Anna captive?” He stared into Finlay’s eyes until the man shook his head and looked away. Kevin took a deep breath and made himself relax. “Rachel, why do you have a need to go?”
    She had to think about that. “I do not know. Something...I feel a burning in my heart. It has never happened before, but then, I have never been prevented before.”
    “I see, but what if you are captured?”
    “Mother gave me the blue stone. She has a sister who lives with the Fergusons , and told me to say the words you taught her in English, not Gaelic. Her sister will help me.”
    Justin was surprised to hear his wife had a sister living with the Fergusons, but he set that aside for now. “I am still not convinced. The danger increases each day and a lad could defend himself better.”
    Rachel rolled her eyes. “I have a dagger in my sheath and can strap another to my leg. I can throw a lad as well as Connor and I have another advantage still.”
    Connor finally spoke up, “Aye, she has a way of persuading a lad to do what he should not.” He was almost as surprised he said it , as Rachel looked to hear it.
    “That is an advantage a lad does not have,” Kevin admitted. He waited for Justin’s nod, but Justin was still thinking hard about it so Kevin turned his attention back to Rachel. “Do you promise not to take any foolish chances?”
    “I do. Now that I know they are aware of me, I will be very careful.”
    “They are not like us; they will not hesitate to hurt a woman.”
    “I understand.”
    Kevin looked again, but Justin was still thinking. “You will see only if they prepare for war and come right back. Do nothing more.”
    Connor held his breath. Unless Justin denied him, Kevin was actually going to let her go. Then Justin nodded, Kevin nodded to Rach el and Connor closed his eyes.
    Everyone expect ed Rachel to run out the door. I nstead, she turned to Connor and curtsied long and slow. “I do not believe you have ever complimented me before. Do not ever do it again!” She stood back up and was once more prevented from kicking him in the shin when Kevi n grabbed her around the waist.
    After she was gone, Kevin turned to Connor. “How long will you need me to protect you from her?”
    Connor was furious. “She only does it around you and only because she knows you will stop her. Perhaps next time you should stand back ready to catch her instead.” With that, Connor left the great hall.
    “That lad wants to kill you,” said Justin.
    “Aye and I do not blame him.” Kevin watched the other men leave and walked to the table for his goblet of wine. He drank until he emptied it and set it back down on the table.
    Justin grabbed the pitcher and refilled both their goblets.