and more aggressive. His strikes carried him off-balance, his rage making him reckless.
Her final move was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. Running up the length of a sword to deliver the killing blow? ’Twas the stuff of which the bards sang. Her battle cry and proclamation sent chills up his spine. Her challenge to the entire clan would reverberate for years. No one would contest her now, the laird’s protection or not. She would be held in the highest regard—the fact she was female mattered not. Duncan couldn’t have been more proud of her, and he made sure she saw it in his eyes when she finally met his gaze.
What started as fear for her life ended in a burning sense of admiration and desire for her he couldn’t fathom. He would win her or die of the effort. He no longer had any choice in the matter. He vowed to do whatever it took, however long it took.
Anna stood over the watering tub at the stables with no clear recollection of how she’d gotten there. She looked at her tunic, spotted with blood. Removing her sheathed swords, she leaned forward, dunking her body from head to waist in the cold water. She straightened, gripping the edge of the tub, replaying the entire encounter with Shamus in her mind as water sluiced away.
Duncan’s voice pulled her from her daze. “Ho, the stables.”
Anna spun to face him. A grin lit his face. Gladness seized her, knowing she caused his expression. His approval meant more to her than it should have.
The fact that she had only moments ago killed a man, yet was now warmed by Duncan’s approval, created another battle within her. She had no right to feel joy, having taken another’s life. Shamus may have deserved to die, but he was a son, a brother, perhaps a husband and father. For certain, a MacGregor.
Duncan grabbed a rag and threw it to her. Wiping off the remainder of the blood and water, she paced the stables, battle lust still coursing through her veins. He gave her a wide berth, leaning against the stable wall, arms crossed, still wearing a heart-shattering grin.
“Duncan,” she admonished him. “’Tis no time to smile. I killed a man, your clansman. I could have walked away. I should have walked away.” Guilt wrapped its sticky tentacles around her. Surely she could have done something to avoid this.
He grabbed her shoulders, halting her pacing. “Ye tried to walk away, but he wouldnae let ye, aye?”
Anna gaped at him in surprise. “You saw?”
He gave her a reassuring nod. “Aye, I was at the smith’s. Half the village saw and heard Shamus. He was not letting ye go without a fight. The men who witnessed his challenge last month have not given him a moment’s peace. Mostly because he was a pig-headed arse. His wounded pride is the cause of this. ’Twas not your fault Anna.”
Relief poured over her in a giddy rush. Finally, someone on her side. She grabbed Duncan, hugging him with all her might. He returned the fierceness of her hold. Anna became lost in the smell of him, the power of his arms, the feel of his hard body. After a few moments, they eased the strength of their embrace, but held on, reluctant to part.
“Ye were magnificent today. So very bonny. I am proud to be yer friend,” Duncan told her, his voice full of sincerity.
“I was beautiful?” Anna heard her own voice, sounding like a little girl to her ears.
“Aye, lass, ye’re the bonniest thing I have ever seen.” Duncan broke his grip, placing his hands on her cheeks, pulling her face up to look at him. “Make no mistake, ye just won the respect of everyone in clan MacGregor today. They will come to admire and respect ye as much as I do.”
Releasing him, she stepped back, shaking her head. “I do not understand.”
He let out a short laugh. “What dinnae ye understand?”
She dared to look up at him. “You think I am beautiful, you admire and respect me—are proud to be my friend?”
Duncan moved, but she stepped back. Stopping, he frowned. “Aye, I do. But I dinnae just say ye were beautiful. I said ye are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. There is a difference.”
Anna grabbed her tack and blanket, fleeing the intensity of Duncan’s words. Striding to Orion’s stall, she saddled him.
“Where are ye going?” The concern in Duncan’s voice rang clear.