urge to pummel every man in the yard grew stronger and stronger as he watched her placing their hands and bodies in proper position, moving from pair to pair, correcting their form. She stole glances at him from time to time, gifting him with a smile warm enough to melt the winter snows. Duncan tried to smile in return, but found his face frozen in vexation.
His temper barely remained under control when he heard her announce a new game she’d devised. Every man would take the opportunity to attack each other at will.
“The rules are thus. You must be outside with no women or children close at hand. You can only use the techniques I have taught. Since I do not wish to spend my afternoons repairing damage caused by inflated pride, you must yield before injury.”
Duff raised his hand. Anna gave him her attention. “Yes, Duff?”
“Are ye includin’ yerself in the game, milady?” More than a few men chuckled at his question.
Anna smiled broadly. “Indeed I am.” The chuckles grew louder.
Shaking with anger, it was all Duncan could do not to storm the group and snatch her away. He had to leave before he did something he’d regret. The jealousy raging through his body would do nothing but push her away. He needed to douse it before he approached her.
He walked back to the keep and grabbed a basket he’d requested for a picnic lunch, since they’d spent little time together the past several days. Simply having her near filled his soul in a way that made him realize how barren he’d been inside. The joy, passion and love she stirred continued to overwhelm him. Duncan knew he watched the other half of his soul. Now he’d found her, he could take no chance of losing her, for fear of losing the rest of himself as well.
He gathered their saddled horses, and Duncan’s mind eased as he thought ahead to the afternoon. He missed their time together, the one time they went further than kissing still burned upon his mind. He’d told her it was his turn next, and today he intended to repay the debt. His frown slowly tilted upward as he thought about the seduction he planned.
The morning’s session went well, and Anna was happy to see Duncan joined them by watching rather than participating. The stiffness of his body and the hard expression on his face told her he struggled with pain. Hoping he would wait, she was disappointed to see him walk away not long before they halted their practice. However, her disappointment turned to joy when he returned, bringing their saddled horses.
Duncan handed her Orion’s reins. “Since we havenae seen each other much lately, I thought ye might enjoy an outing.”
“That sounds wonderful. Where do you have in mind?”
“’Tis a place at the loch I like to go to be alone. I will show ye.”
They mounted and rode at a leisurely pace, allowing Trean to lope alongside. The days of his being content to ride in her saddle were ending.
“What did you think of this morning’s practice?” Anna asked. “The men have come a long way in a short time.”
He hesitated, glancing away. “Twas difficult to watch ye put your hands on the men and have them put their hands on ye.”
She gazed at him in disbelief. “Duncan, you are jealous?” An odd but warm feeling slid through her. Nobody had ever been jealous over her before.
“Aye, I admit I am. I should be the only one who touches ye.”
She heard the possessiveness in his voice, which tempted her to anger, but she knew his jealousy revealed the depth of his feelings for her. Though an uncomfortable way of being told how much he cared for her, she chose to see it as a declaration of love, nonetheless.
She kept her voice even. “I am not sure what to say. You know my interest lies only in you. Your men treat me with respect. If one were to act out of line, Malcolm or Iain would step in immediately. Besides, you know me well enough. I can handle myself.”
The hard look from this morning returned, and she realized his scowl had little to do with physical pain.
“Aye, but ye dinnae see how the men look at ye, the effect ye have on them.”
Anna sat speechless. Never had anyone suggested she’d be attractive to one man, much less a large group.
“The worst was when ye included yourself in this game ye created. Now I