Why is this so?” Kenneth MacGregor asked.
One corner of Anna’s mouth twitched at the laird’s question. She knew of no other noble, especially not a woman, who’d been prepared thus. But she’d grown used to being an oddity.
“My brother and I had a tutor who was very thorough in his instruction.”
He cocked his head. “What kind of tutor teaches such?”
“Zhang had been a prisoner, rescued by my father when he fought during the Crusades, before my birth. He served as bodyguard to a wealthy Chinese merchant. They were part of a trade caravan ambushed by the Mamluks. Zhang attached himself to Lord Braxton as payment for his freedom.”
A smile crossed MacGregor’s lips. “Tutor? He must have begun yer education at an early age. How many years do ye have, lass?”
Steeling her body and expression against the grating question, she answered. “A score, Laird.”
His smiled turned puzzled. “When did ye become twenty, then?”
“Three days ago.”
Nessa quietly gasped, squeezing Anna’s hand. Lady MacGregor stiffened next to her. The laird’s smile hardened, lips disappearing as they curled into his mouth, his jaw tight. He rubbed the back of his neck. Anna kept her features flat, as unreadable as possible.
Tension seemed to drain the air from the room. Reaching for her cup, Anna drank the fruited water.
“It appears I have more to make amends for than I thought.”
His words sounded like pity. She would not allow it. “As laird, you did what you thought was best for your clan. There is no need to dwell on it further. If you will excuse me, I feel unwell. My thanks for the meal.” Anna stood to her feet. “Nessa, stay with your family. I need no assistance getting back to the room.”
Once upstairs, Anna brewed another tisane for pain. After drinking it, she crawled into bed, exhausted.
Hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her out of a deep sleep. Someone called her name. Startled, she frantically grasped the stranger’s wrists and bolted upright, meeting the look of panic on Nessa’s face. Anna released her and slumped forward, head in her hands.
Nessa touched her hair. “Ye cried out in yer sleep. Another nightmare?”
She had no memory of it, though her heart raced and her breathing was ragged. She shook her head and watched Nessa rub her wrists. “I am sorry. Did I hurt you?”
Nessa sat on the edge of the bed and wiped the sweat from Anna’s brow. “Nae, only frightened me, ’tis all.”
Anna took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I am sorry I woke you.”
Nessa’s lips slipped into a sympathetic smile. “Worry not. Pleasant dreams this time.”
With a sigh, Anna curled under the covers and drifted back to sleep.
After three days, the swelling around Anna’s eye receded, restoring her vision. Thankfully, the nausea also eased, the headache and dizziness no longer constant companions. The tea and bian shi did their work.
Afternoon naps aided her recovery. Nessa read to her at times. Her own eyes struggled to settle on the words, and attempting the task invited an unbearable headache. Nessa possessed a small collection of books she was proud of. Anna thought of all the books, maps, and scrolls in her father’s library destroyed by fire. Their loss made her heart hurt as much as her head, teaching her a painful lesson about taking things for granted.
Lady MacGregor visited daily. Anna saw no sign of the laird or his son except at the evening meal. ’Twas just as well. She needed separation from them and had little interest in hearing any more apologies or answering more questions. Whatever his motivation, the laird’s decision to imprison his daughter’s rescuer remained a bitter taste in her mouth.
She’d considered what her father would have done in his place, and how his men would have treated a noblewoman held captive. There would have been no challenge and certainly no attack due to argument. She would have been well treated and well fed. A maid and bath would have been provided in a guest room. She’d never needed a maid, but a bath and decent food would have been welcome.
Barbarians.
The MacGregor women were a different tale. Anna shared more laughter with the girls than she was accustomed to. She felt strange to be in the company of females, but wonderful as she bathed in the warmth of feminine companionship for the first time in her life. She realized she’d never before known a female she could truly call her friend. Could she walk away so easily?
Conversations often led to speaking of various