to wed his son. Doing so would put my father at a disadvantage in negotiations with them. Taking her would keep him from being able to engage another clan through her marriage. If we were forced to deal with them, the MacNairn would have strengthened their position whilst weakening ours. Nessa would have been treated poorly. The MacNairn is a cruel man.” A hard look crossed his face. “One of the men ye killed was Adiar MacNairn. I only wish I had been the one to do it. Ye halted any chance they had of forcing a pact with us. Adiar was the laird’s only living son.”
Though more brutal, it didn’t sound unlike the machinations of English nobility. Anna’s chest tightened as she recalled the men who fell under her bow and blade that day. Grabbing a drawknife, she picked up the ash billet, hacking at the length of wood in her hands. Chunks flew as she wondered which of the vermin she laid low had been Adiar. Hearing their intentions for Nessa made her want to kill them all over again.
“Does the MacNairn know I killed his son?” Her voice rumbled low, guttural.
Duncan frowned. “’Tis a good question. I am not sure how he could, since none of their raiding party survived. Da sent a clear message about the consequences of stealing his daughter by killing them all and leaving their bodies unburied on the field for the beasts and carrion crows to devour.”
Anna glanced up enough to offer a grunt in response then went back to work on the billet. With each curl of wood dropping to the ground, her anger receded. She mulled over Duncan’s story and how she now fit into their clan’s history whether she wished it or not.
With a questioning quality to his next words, Duncan continued. “I worried how a woman might deal with having so much blood on her hands. I see by the way ye attack the wood, ye would do so again. Ye are Nessa’s champion in truth.”
Anna didn’t look away from her task or acknowledge his statement.
“If ye will excuse me I have other duties to attend to. I will see ye at supper.” Duncan bowed slightly then left.
She raised her head, offering a slight scowl in answer. How like a man to think a woman could only wield a needle and thread or soup pot effectively, growing faint at the sight of blood.
Continuing her task, Anna reflected on the morning. She’d noticed the odd looks from the villagers, but nothing suggesting hostility. More like curiosity. Whether due to the laird’s declaration or her escort, she wasn’t certain. However, she knew everyone, especially the ladies who spun the wool, assessed Duncan’s interest in her. Like a filly on the block, she’d been rated all day. She frowned, not liking the sensation one bit.
She worked until she had a smooth, even staff of proper diameter. By the time she finished, darkness had crept past the lanterns into the stables. Having a task for her hands gave her mind the opportunity to take measure of her feelings and she was surprised to discover her anger toward the MacGregors no longer existed.
How did that happen?
Mairi and Nessa had always treated her more than kind. Duncan, if she were to be fair, had also been as kind as allowed, even more so this week. The laird? Though she vehemently disagreed with his handling of her the first week, he’d held true to his word about welcoming her into his family, accepting her as his own.
Could I truly make a home here? Taking her new staff with her, she thought about putting it through its paces first thing on the morrow. The time alone would give her more opportunity to reflect on staying here, about working as a healer and horse trainer. Anna shook her head. She certainly needed more time to think on her strange feelings toward Duncan.
Chapter 10
Duncan arrived at the stables at first light and noticed Anna’s horse missing. Saddling up, he made his way to the strath, knowing she’d arrived, or would soon. Dismounting in the woods, Duncan tied his horse to a tree several yards away and quietly made his way to the edge of the clearing. As he suspected, she’d already reached their site. He chose a tree in the shadows to watch from a distance.
She unwrapped a long, thin rope from her waist. A small knife, or perhaps a spear point, appeared to be attached to the