Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,76
dinnae instigate the attack. Alain would have found another way to get himself into trouble. Had I allowed Duncan to kill him when he wanted, this never would have happened. So ye see, Anna, I too feel guilty my son lies upstairs seriously wounded, and a good man I have known since his birth is dead.”
Anna squirmed uncomfortably in her chair. She was not ready to relinquish her sense of responsibility and the remorse accompanying it. Kenneth sighed.
“Duncan is right, you dinnae see yer own value. Ye won us favor with the Graham, which is not easily done. An alliance would be a boon for our clan. Ye saw how large and prosperous they are. They field almost twice as many men, and their location is advantageous. Ye witnessed the benefits from trade, from having friends who live where the Highlands meet the Lowlands.”
Anna jerked her head in agreement.
“The information gained by having an ally to the south, plus having a buffer between our home and the English, is quite valuable. In addition, the Graham laird seeks a match for his son. Yer actions helped make Nessa a bride he considers. Tell me what you think of Blaine Graham.”
Relieved to find MacGregor still firmly supporting her, much of the tension she carried faded. Agreeable to the change in their conversation, she related her observations about Blaine, proposing they host him before negotiations grew serious.
“Thank you for sending the missive to my family,” she added.
A grin broke out on his face. “Ah, the other alliance. Ye think you bring naught to our clan, but in one sennight, I predict ye have prepared the ground for not one, but two treaties. Though Elliot lies too far south for regular contact, any pact strengthens our position. Graham and Elliot allies potentially become MacGregor allies. A united Scotland benefits us all. ’Tis only a matter of time before war comes with the English again. Longshanks is too greedy. When it does, Elliot and other border clans will be the tip of the spear.”
“You think Elliot will want to enter into an agreement through my marriage to Duncan?” Anna hadn’t considered the possibility.
“I can assure ye, as a father, yer grandda will be verra glad to hear his granddaughter is well. He will use the opportunity of yer marriage to forge a relationship with us. Ye are all he has left of his beloved daughter. I can only think of what it would be like to lose Nessa, and have only her child left to care for. She would be a priceless jewel to us, as Nessa is now. I will be surprised if we dinnae see an Elliot representative within a fortnight.”
The thought of hearing from her grandfather raised Anna’s spirits. She mulled over other possibilities until the laird’s voice broke through her musings.
“I am told ye have begun training Iain and Malcolm.”
Anna looked at him tentatively, hearing no rebuke in his voice. “Yes, Laird. With your permission, Iain suggests a small group might be willing to allow me to instruct them.”
Refilling their goblets, he gave her a hard look. “With my permission? First Duncan, now Iain and Malcolm. Before long, I will discover every man under my command will have found a way to train with ye. Starting in two days, ye will take over the morning session with my guard. With Duncan out, Tavish is in charge. Ye will report to him on the training grounds. Split the time evenly between sword work and unarmed combat.”
Anna couldn’t believe her ears. She was to be responsible for training the laird’s guard? This went well beyond what she had hoped. Her throat constricted, tears of gratitude burning her eyes.
Kenneth’s eyebrows arched. “Why so surprised? Only a fool doesnae accept the gifts he is given. That they are borne by a woman matters not. Or are you hesitant to accept this assignment? Did I not hear your pledge of loyalty a few moments ago?”
Wordlessly, Anna nodded her assent.
With a grunt of satisfaction, Kenneth queried, “It dinnae bother you these men may be called upon to fight the English in the future?”
She found her voice. “No, Laird. My living family is Scots, my future husband and family are Scots. As far as I am concerned, the English side of me died along with my father and brother. Other than getting used to the cold, I could not ask for a better home. I will gladly offer my knowledge and sword to train and defend clan MacGregor.”
Kenneth