She kissed him on the cheek. “You catch on quickly, sir.”
He chuckled. “What other weapons were hidden on ye?”
Anna gave him a sly grin. “I shall never tell—in case you get the foolish notion to imprison me again.”
His smile faded. “’Twas never my idea to imprison ye in the first place.”
She had always wondered about this, but knew not what to say, so she turned back to the contest.
Liam was declared the winner. Darkness had fallen, and watches were assigned. Iain approached Duncan and Anna, a pained expression on his face, and motioned for them to follow him outside earshot of the others.
“I wish to apologize to both ye and Anna for my disrespect earlier.”
Duncan offered his hand and Iain hesitantly took it. “Fear not, my friend.” Duncan said. “My reaction was much like yer own. I argued off and on for days with the laird, trying to understand his wisdom. Though I did not agree with him at the time, I have come to realize I would have done something similar, though with better accommodations.” Duncan glanced at Anna for her response.
“’Tis in the past, Iain, and it does not serve to dwell on it. Things have changed considerably. Whilst I thank you for your concern, let us not reflect on it further.” Anna patted his arm and offered a smile.
Mollified, Iain took the first watch.
Anna faced Duncan. “You argued with your father for days about how he treated me?”
He gazed at her intently. “Aye, though argued might be too polite a word. I have never been so angry at my da in all my life. I railed at him. Looking back, I am surprised he dinnae do me harm.”
She was taken aback by the emotion in his voice. “Why would you, for a stranger?”
He grabbed her with such force the surprise of it stole her breath.
Whispering near her ear, he said, “I have loved ye from the moment I saw ye, though I dinna know it at the time. I suspect the only reason Da gave me leeway was because he recognized how I felt about ye long before I did. Anna, I love ye and cannae imagine going a single day without ye with me. I want ye to be my wife, and the mother of my bairns. I have withheld the strength of my feelings, hoping to earn yer trust and heart. I am prepared to give ye as much time as ye need, but know I am willing to do anything to have ye belong to me.”
The power of his declaration stunned her. Anna had sensed he felt strongly, but did not understand the depth of his feeling, nor when it had begun. She recalled his words to the barbarian, Angus, about her being his future wife if she would have him.
His words flowed over her like the warmth of the sun as they melted away her lingering doubts. As the words wife and mother settled, she discovered they did not conjure fear and loathing as before. Coming from this man, they inspired a sense of peace and rightness. As she reveled in his love, his hold loosened and she realized the time for her to respond had passed.
Gripping him around the waist, Anna pulled him back into her with as much force as she could muster.
“Do not pull away from me, Duncan MacGregor—ever. I have never looked at another man as I do you.” Taking a breath, she continued. “You know this is all new to me. I know not my own heart well, but do know I love you with a fierceness that frightens me.”
Duncan’s eyes glittered. Anna eased her grip.
“The thought of marrying and having children was always the worst future I could imagine, because I knew it would be to a man I would not want, one who would not truly want me. I do wish to be your wife, and mother to our children. Howbeit, you need to understand what you ask, because I am not like your mother or sister. I am a warrior, and will continue to be after I become your wife and bear our children.”
He shuddered at her words, and she wondered why.
Duncan thought he’d pushed too hard, scaring her into retreat. He inwardly cursed his stupidity. He needed to move away, give her space, but she surprised him by grabbing and drawing him roughly to her. Her threat to him about not pulling away ever, brought a smile to his