Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

two-story building made of stone with a large courtyard and stables enough to house twenty-five horses. Cottages and a web of paths were spread out behind the Keep with a garden at the far end. A high wall surrounded it all, complete with a moat and a drawbridge.
    Julie and Kenna often walked the paths inside the wall, wandered over the bridge and strolled toward the loch to the east, or the meadow to the west. T his day, they wanted to watch the door to the Keep , so they stayed inside the wall, only went as far as the first cottage and sat down on a log.
    Julie whispered, “Charlet has been inside talking to Kevin forever. See how the guard does not let anyone in? I have never seen that before. In fact, Kevin never spends that much time with any of us.”
    “Aye, ther e are too many of us for that.”
    “She is probably choosing a husband, or two, or three.”
    Kenna giggled, “She deserves at least three -- three to wash for, three to feed and three to...”
    “What?”
    “Never mind.”
    Julie insisted, “Three to what?”
    “Three to give her children.”
    “Oh.” Julie wrinkled her brow. “My mother calls it a duty, but Rachel says she finds great pleasure in it when Connor touches her that way. Which do you think is the truth?”
    Kenna rolled her eyes. “I would not know, would I. I am not married and probably never will be!”

    In the great hall, Charlet was shocked. Her life was not at all what she thought it was , and she was having a difficult time taking it all in. It was true, Connor found her when she was a baby and brought her inside the wall , b ut she never once guessed Kevin put her there for Connor to find.
    “You are upset with me.” Kevin kept his voice as soft and as comforting as he could.
    “Nay, I could never be upset with you. You saved my life. It is just that I have always believed my real mother did not want me. It never occurred to me she died. Of a truth, I have been so happy here, I rarely think about my real family at all.”
    “I am pleased you are happy here. I would have you stay with us forever, but you have a purpose greater than what I want.”
    “Do you know why someone wanted to kill me?”
    “Nay , wee one, the Englishman who gave you to me did not say. He said the king wanted you safe and knew no one would look for you here.”
    “Is the King of England my father?” she asked.
    “I do not know.”
    “How did you learn of this marriage proposal?”
    “Laird Cameron told me. I meet with him on the third morning of every week in a place not far from here. He heard it from Laird MacDonald to the north.”
    “Then half the Highlanders know an Englishman wants to marry me. How dreadful.” She lowered her eyes and stared at the table.
    Kevin was thoughtful for a time too. He just figured out he had a bigger problem than he thought. Good women, especially beautiful ones, were not so plentiful in the Highlands and those who had seen her , might not be willing to let her go to the English without a fight.
    Charlet interrupted his thoughts. “So you think it odd this Englishman wants to marry me?”
    “I do. If he had seen you , I would not think it odd at all , b ut you tell me you have never seen an Englishman.”
    “I would remember, would I not? I have heard they wear strange clothing.”
    “‘Tis true. Then there are two possibilities; either he has discovered who you are and wishes you harm, or the king has arranged this marriage.”
    “How will we know which?”
    “That, wee one, we must figure out.”
    She drew in a long breath and let it out, “My head is spinning, Kevin, I cannot think.”
    “I understand. Go to your rest, but I caution you; it is not wise to speak of this to anyone. As you are well aware, secrets are not easily kept in the Highlands.”
    “Aye, but you have kept this secret. Does anyone else know?”
    “Nay, not even my wife.”
    “Kevin, I have one more question. Have you ever met the King of England?”
    “I have, but it was many years ago.”
    “Can we not just ask him if he sent the man?”
    “Perhaps we will.”

    Charlet barely made it to the bottom of the ste ps outside the Keep before she was flanked by Julie and Kenna. Kenna was especially eager to know. “Who did you choose?”
    Charlet stopped and turned to her. “What?”
    “Who did you choose for a husband?”
    “Why would you think I was choosing a husband?”
    Kenna rolled her eyes. “What else could you be talking to Kevin about for so