Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

the way around MacNab. “You are not the first and you will not be the last. Why should I choose you?”
    Ferguson’s mind was churning but his expression remained nondescript. Who was Charlet, he wondered.
    Laird MacNab smiled when Kenna came around to face him , exposing two missing front teeth. “I offer all I have.”
    “Why? Do you want me for my beauty, for my young age, or to keep me from marrying an Englishman?”
    Just like all the other lairds, he was taken aback by her questioning. “You are ill-mannered.”
    Her ire was rising and she wasn’t acting. “I am not ill-mannered, I am exhausted. Everyone wants to marry me and none care what I want. I am not a cow you can give away, barter, or kill when you tire of me. I am a woman and I demand to be treated well.”
    Laird MacNab blinked twice and looked at Kevin. “This is Charlet, is it not?”
    “Aye,” Kevin answered.
    “She is not worth a war, is she? She is not even as bonnie as I have heard. I deny her!” He stormed out the door and slammed it behind him.
    Kenna was ready to collapse. “He is wrong; I am daft or soon will be. Kevin, I do not think I can do this much longer.”
    Kevin took her hand and urged her to sit down. “Kenna, Charlet has been shot. Three Englishman found her hiding place.”
    Tears instantly welled up in Kenna’s eyes. “Is she dead?” She didn’t notice when Ferguson sat down beside her.
    “We hope not. Her injury is to her arm and she is being moved. I know you feel put upon by our need to constantly use you, but what you do helps keep her safe. If I did not believe that, I would not ask it of you. ‘Tis important to let the clans think Charlet is here.”
    Kenna was confused. “But the English know she is not and they are the ones trying to kill her.”
    “Aye, but at least she only has to hide from the English. We do not want her also plagued by every laird in the Highlands wanting to marry her.”
    Kenna took a deep breath and brushed away her tears. “You are right. I am sorry for my weakness and I will be strong again, I promise.”
    Ferguson finally spoke up. “Forgive me for interrupting, but I believe Kenna has agreed to take a walk with me. Perhaps it will do her good.”
    Kevin smiled and nodded his approval. “Take her toward the loch and keep her out of sight. We worry someone will try to take her.”
    “I would never let that happen.”

    She was upset and Shaw Ferguson just let her walk it out. He moved tree limbs out of her way and watched to be sure she wouldn’t fall, but he never said a word.
    Finally, Kenna felt like talking, “I am glad you were there. I was wondering how I would tell you. Charlet has red hair, but mine is yellow, that is if this red ever washes out.”
    “I will prefer you no matter what color your hair is. How many marriage proposals have you turned down?”
    “First there was an old lad, then a young one, a terribly thin lad, six more I hardly remembered and today, one with no teeth. I am beginning to see why they do not have wives. And they all say the same thing. She lowered her voice and tried to sound like a man, “I will have Charlet. They say it as though they demand their evening meal -- I will have mutton.”
    He chuckle, offered his hand and helped her step over a log. “You look tired, would you like to sit down for a while.”
    Kenna glanced at his face and remembered why she wanted to avoid his magnificent eyes. “I did not realize I was tired until just then. I should not have raised my voice to him.”
    “I think you were being very brave.”
    “I am not brave, I am terrified. If I offend one of them, as I nearly did today, I could start a war.”
    “Few men are stupid enough to go to war with the MacGreagor. Only my ill-tempered brother was that stupid. Why do the English want to kill Charlet?”
    “I do not know. I do hope she is alive. I once wanted all the attention lads pay her, but now I will be happy to tell her how miserable I am being her.”
    “Perhaps she will enjoy having someone who understands, but I would rather talk about our future. Did you know your uncle is my second in command? He is a good man, I think.”
    “He is a good lad.”
    “My people need a mistress and...”
    “Good heavens, I had not thought of that. I do not know how to be a mistress.” She started to pace. “I do not even know what one does. Anna smiles a lot, I know that much and she appreciates everything people do for her. She visits the lasses