Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

bedchamber. Anna hurried up the stairs, ran down the balcony and into his waiting arms.
    Kevin couldn’t seem to release her even after he kissed her and made her melt in his arms. “I will never let you go again, I cannot bear it.”
    “Nor can I.” She moved away finally and walked to the window. “We have guests, I see.” The six lairds in the meadow were now glaring at each other.
    “Kenna has run out of excuses and she feels put upon.” He wrapped his arms around her from behind and put his cheek next to hers. “I do not know what to do.”
    “The King did not arrange the marriage.”
    “I was afraid of that.”
    “I think there might be a way to make them all leave.”
    He turned her around and looked into her eyes. “How?”

    An hour later, Kevin had the drawbridge lowered. With Kenna in the middle and Connor on the other side, Kevin walked across the bridge and then to the crest of the meadow. He wanted each of the six men to see her beauty and they could hardly keep from gawking at her.
    “Which of us does she choose?”
    Kenna took a few steps forward and looked each of them over. Then she curtsied and walked back to Kevin. They were ogling her and she was annoyed with their arrogance. Not one of them was Laird Ferguson.
    Kevin clasped his hands behind his back and waited for his guests to do the same out of respect. When they did, he began, “An Englishman wants our Charlet.” As soon as they started to grumble, he raised his hand. “She does not want to marry an Englishman, but she has never seen one and would like to know why he wants her. I would like to know as well. Do the English want a war with us over this woman, handsome though she may be? If she marries a Highlander, will that begin a war? I for one would rather live in peace.” Kevin let his words sink in for a moment.
    “We will protect her,” one shouted.
    “Aye,” the rest agreed.”
    “And so will I.” Kevin shifted his weight. His knees weren’t as strong as they once were and they hurt. “Word of the Englishman’s request for her hand came through the clans. Do any of you know who he is?” None of them nodded.
    From this point on, Kevin had to choose his words very carefully. “Whom this lass agrees to marry is not within my power to command, but I will happily encourage a marriage to the lad who brings me the Englishman.”

    Charlet didn’t know how long she had been asleep, but when she awoke it was morning, she was in Blair’s lap, slumped against him and once more on a horse.
    He felt her stir and was relieved. She hadn’t moved all night and he was worried. In the light of the moon, he managed to get them safely away from his brother’s cottage. His brother got his shoes, one plaid and a fla sk of wine to him, but no food.
    “Do you want to stop?” He felt her nod and halted his horse. They were in a clearing, but at least he could see danger coming before the English got close enough to hurt her again.
    She finally sat up. “Are we near water?”
    “Nay, but I brought a flask of wine. You will need it for your pain.” He let go of her just long enough to pull the strings of the flask loose from his belt. He removed the wooden stopper and handed it to her. The flask was heavy and she could only use one hand, so he helped her tip it.
    It tasted bitter at first, but she was thirsty so she swallowed three times and stopped. She watched him put it away, get off the horse and lift her down. She wasn’t any more sure she could stand on her own than he was, so she didn’t mind at all when he didn’t let go. And when she looked up, he looked disturbed. “What?”
    “I did not protect you.”
    “Would you like me to yell at you?” She couldn’t help but notice his wonderful smile.
    “Can you walk?”
    “I think so.” She wanted to hold on to him, but she couldn’t let go of her arm, so she was grateful when he took hold of her uninjured elbow. They walked through the tall grass for a while in silence before she finally said, “I have decided not to marry the Englishman.”
    Blair noticed his horse was walking away and followed. Perhaps the horse would lead them to water. “I thought you decided not to marry any lad.”
    “Oh I have, but him I have decided against much more than any other. How do you think they found us?”
    “A Cameron told them.”
    “How do you know it was a Cameron?”
    “They are the only ones who know of my brothers. It was a mistake to take you there. I will not