to hear it. No doubt ’twill land me into trouble.”
Anna’s eyes lit. “My condition is, you agree to train combat with me. I can only do so much alone and my skills will deteriorate if left untended.”
“Aye, I would be pleased to train with ye. No doubt ’twould be quite beneficial for both of us. ’Twould probably be wise for us to do so away from prying eyes until the clan grows accustomed to ye.”
“May I ask what exactly has been said to the clan about me?”
“Ye have not been told? Ye are from a Lowland clan that had some upheaval, leaving ye seeking a new home. We found ye of course, when ye rescued Nessa. Though people will see and hear the English in ye, ’tis not uncommon for Scots and English to marry close to the border.
“We have not said which clan ye are from, and no one has asked. We suggest Armstrong, as they are many and not too far from yer own on the border. None around here has any ties with them. ’Tis up to ye. We thought ye might desire anonymity, both for yerself and yer remaining kin.”
Anna stopped her horse. “I do not care for lies. However, I see the merit in such a tale. I have deliberated on my situation a fair bit and have concluded, as long as I do not reappear, whoever stole my father’s lands will have no reason to seek me out. My brother was Father’s heir, the true threat. As a woman, I would have no claim on the holding, other than my dower lands, a small estate left in my name. The only thing my appearance would accomplish would be to draw unwanted attention to the manner in which the lands were gained—perhaps even from the crown.”
Duncan pressed a bit further. “What would happen if ye decided to draw such scrutiny to the man who killed yer family and stole yer da’s lands?”
He could see it in her eyes. She still did not trust him fully. Silence grew, the battle within herself clear. Duncan held his breath.
“Anna, I know I havenae earned yer trust yet—”
She waved him off. “No, I was caught in my anger of the situation. Anger of the injustice, anger of my inability to avenge my family. If I go back I would most likely be forced to marry whomever did this, or into his family, to cover the deed and validate the outcome. Unmarried noblewomen are not allowed to remain such for long. My choice would then be to submit to a husband or be punished. I would be isolated, not trusted, and expected to bear an heir. Going back to England under any circumstances is untenable.”
“I can only imagine the rage I would feel were I in yer place. If ye have no other recourse, death seems a more desirable fate.”
She slowly rocked in the saddle in agreement.
“What about friends or allies of yer da? Could they not be counted on to right this act of murder and greed?”
Anna grimaced, her knuckles whitening as her hands tightened on the reins. Orion flicked an ear and tossed his head. “If they were going to do something, they would have done it. My presence would not inspire such a response. Moreover, how do I know who was disgusted by such an act and who mayhap assisted in its execution?”
Duncan tensed at her words. “At least in the Highlands a man knows who his friends are, as well as his enemies. I know ye dinnae want my apologies or pity. I am regretful for yer situation. Ye dinnae deserve it. I cannot decide which is the greater tragedy—that someone would get away with this injustice or yer terrible loss.”
Anna stared at her hands, clearly uncomfortable. Duncan chided himself. Idiot for bringing it up again. Half afraid he’d upset her, he waited for her to speak again.
“Where do you have in mind for our training site?” Her voice was strained but clear, and Duncan relaxed.
“A mile or so from here, a strath is sheltered by the forest on all sides. ’Tis low-lying and off the path, so someone would have to stumble upon us to see. The clearing is not very big, but large enough for our needs. Come. I will show ye.” He reined his horse down a nearby path, and Anna followed.
“I would also like to meet Fiona,” she told him. “I need to be educated on what plants grow here, what can