Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

for her to read it through once and again a second time.
    “‘ Tis a letter from the King’s Nephew. The letter states that the king has approved the marriage between the Englishman and his niece, Charlet.” Anna shook her head. “The Englishman probably had no idea what he was doing. When Charlet became queen, the Englishman thought he would someday wear the English crown, or at least his son would.”
    “Then we have found the right Englishman.”
    “We have and I am greatly relieved.”
    “Good, then it was right to send for her.”
    “Kevin, Charlet’s nightmare is not over. There will be another Englishman and then another until the king’s nephew manages to kill her.”
    “How do you propose we put an end to this? Should I encourage her to accept the offer of one of these lairds?”
    “Marriage might help, but I have a better idea.”

    He spread his plaid on the ground for her and accepted another one from Dugan to cover her. Two more men gave Blair their extra plaids and he made a bed for himself a couple of feet away. They were surrounded by twenty men, all bedded down within hearing and seeing distance, and Blair was not happy about it, but there was little he could do without embarrassing her. At least they had food and Charlet ate a hearty meal. She used her arm more and if it hurt, she didn’t let on.
    “Blair,” she whispered.
    “What?”
    “I am sorry.”
    “So am I.” He was sorry. Tomorrow he would deliver her to the MacGreagors and have to ride away as though his whole life had not changed. Just once, he wanted to let her know how he felt...just once. He suddenly thought of something and turned on h is side to face her. “Charlet.”
    She turned on her side to face him. “What?”
    “Do you remember what you said about Duff? You said he kept telling you something but it meant nothing.”
    “I remember.”
    He hesitated, terrified she would reject him. Then he mustered all his courage and finally said, “I tell you the same thing.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. “But it means something this time?”
    “Aye.”
    She smi led in the darkness, but couldn’ t think of a way to say it back, so she just said, “I am glad.”
    He too smiled. She didn’t say she loved him, but she didn’t reject him either. It was enough and Blair closed his eyes. “Go to sleep, Charlet.”
    “Bridget.”
    “Charlet.”

    The morning meal was an apple and she was thrilled to have it. It tasted wonderful and she ate it all except the core which she fed to Blair’ s horse. For the first time in the last few days, she felt good. Her arm was tender, but not throbbing and Blair was still with her -- at least for a few more hours. She had no idea what would happen in the future, but for now, she could consume all the love he was willing to give her -- all he could give her surrounded by t wenty fierce warriors, that is.
    She noticed the others were not gawking at her and she was grateful. She wasn’t about to look at them either. She learned a long time ago that eye contact with a man made him believe she was interested. She did look at Blair twice, but he didn’t look back. At last, he lifted her onto his horse, swung up behind her and was touching her again.
    He waited for her to settle herself with her back against him, raised his hand to signal they were ready, put it down, and then slipped his arm around her waist. They began to move and he would have been happy walking his horse all the way back, but his men might think that strange, so he encouraged his horse to gallop. He noticed she had a tighter grip and tightened his in response. Then as soon as she felt more secure with the rhythm of the horse, he felt her relax. Soon she began to st r oke his arm with her thumb. He thought it would drive him mad, but he didn’t want her to stop. She was telling him how she felt and he was elated. She did love him.
    They crossed the last of the Cameron land before noon. Blair knew the MacGreagors would spot them and wondered if Kevin would send his own guard or let the Cameron’s bring her in. He wanted to be with her for as long as possible.
    Another two hours passed before Blair slowed his horse and walked him up the hill. At the top he stopped. Below was the forest, the meadow and the sprawling village inside the wall of the MacGreagor hold. Kevin had not sent a guard and he was pleased. He turned to Dugan, “Wait here.”
    Charlet sighed when they were down the hill and heading into the forest.