Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,63
servants have prepared food and drink.”
The laird led them into the inner hall, smaller but luxurious, designed for entertaining important guests. Motioning for them to sit, the laird directed two women to serve the group, and each MacGregor was quickly given a quaich of ale.
A twinkle in his eye, the Graham laird asked, “How is it one of my strongest men, though more than a wee bit daft, was bested by a woman?”
Anna glanced at Duncan, the gleam of anger in his eyes telling her he still seethed over the encounter. She chose a diplomatic answer. “It was an opportunity for a demonstration of unarmed tactics, is all, Laird,” she answered, trying to keep her irritation with Duncan out of her voice. She could handle herself and did not need him running to her rescue at every turn.
Graham gave her an odd look and a smile, but left her explanation alone. He moved his attention to Duncan. “I heard about the accident in the market today—how yer group assisted my men, especially ye,” he said as he spared a glance at Anna. “Ronald has been one of my most reliable men. I would be hard pressed without him. Neil believes yer timely efforts gave him a chance to survive. For that I thank ye, milady.”
“Iain and I were close when it happened and glad to offer assistance. All involved are recovering. Your commander has not awakened. I know not if he will, but your healer watches over him.”
The laird changed topics again as servants plied the tables with meats, vegetables and bread. “Though yer use of our language and plaide says ye are a MacGregor, yer accent, cuirass, and the way ye carry yerself tells me ye are English. There is a very entertaining story here. I wish to hear it.”
Anna nodded to Duncan, prompting him to respond. “’Tis an interesting story. I will tell most of it. There are details we withhold to protect Anna.”
Smiling, the laird motioned for him to continue. Leaving out the details of her family’s name and fate, he told the same story they’d related to the MacGregor clan. The laird seemed satisfied with the telling, and their conversation drifted to clan politics, alliances, and common enemies, which of course included the English.
Anna took no offense, having seen the horrors the English were capable of firsthand. After living in the Highlands only a matter of a few months, she had no desire to return to England. She was Scots. Since her father and brother had followed her mother in death, she’d considered her English heritage at an end. Another revelation to ruminate over.
After the meal, they retired to chairs by the large stone hearth, where conversations continued. The laird made a point to ask Anna questions about the unsteady peace along the border. He asked what she thought about the likelihood of war and where it might start. Offering her insight about the most power-hungry English nobles in the area, he seemed pleased with the information and agreed with her assessments. She sensed he tested where her loyalties lay. They certainly did not lie with Edward Longshanks or his corrupt group of nobles.
As the evening grew late, a messenger entered and spoke quietly to the laird. He stood. “It seems my commander has regained consciousness. Lady Anna, would ye be willing to see to him before ye retire or wait until morn?”
“I would gladly check on him now.”
At Duncan’s nod, Iain rose to accompany her. Following the guard who escorted them, Iain leaned into Anna and whispered, “Though I have seen ye fight before, I am astonished by yer abilities and am proud ye joined our clan.”
Self-conscious at his overt praise, she smiled at him. “Thank you, Iain.”
“Ye should know every man in our group would lay down his life for ye.”
Unsettled by the depth of his pledge, Anna made light of the moment. “So all I had to do is defeat the largest, most obnoxious man in the clan to earn your respect? Had I known, I would have called out Duff my first day at Ciardun.” She gave him a sideways glance and he laughed loudly in reply.
When they arrived at their destination, the guard told Iain to wait outside the door. Iain bristled at the command, but Anna nodded her acceptance.
“Commander, the woman who tended ye is here.”
He struggled to sit up in the bed. “Come in, milady, and let me thank ye.” His voice, while strong, sounded immeasurably tired.
She stepped into