Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,88
him more than she could fathom. Every thought seemed to lead back to lying naked in his arms. She now understood why young maidens were not allowed to be alone with their suitors. It also explained why all knowledge of what went on between married couples remained closely guarded until the day of the wedding.
The next morning, the men gathered around the training yard. Anna asked about the first day of their game. While stories were told, a foul odor surrounded the group. In ones and twos, they moved away from Duff, eventually leaving him standing alone.
Anna sniffed the air near the giant. “Duff, why do you smell like rancid fat?”
Looking sheepish, he shuffled his feet before answering. “’Tis a home remedy, milady.”
“A home remedy for what? Only the Black Death would be horrid enough to make one wear such a putrid substance.”
“Me ma makes it for sore muscles and sprains.”
This prompted chuckles from the group. Trying to keep a straight face, Anna glanced around, noticing what she hadn’t seen before. All stood rigidly, and many unconsciously rubbed wrists and elbows.
Understanding dawned as she realized she stood before a bunch of stiff-necked Highlanders. Of course, they did not yield as instructed. They would fight any lock or throw, causing themselves more harm than necessary. By resisting, they undermined the exercise. Shaking her head, Anna swallowed the rebuke she wished to deliver. The situation required a different strategy.
“How many would benefit from a balm for sore muscles and joints? I make an effective one which is a bit easier on the nose.”
No one was willing to admit to such a need. “Fine, then. I am calling a halt to the game. If you cannot take instruction and yield as ordered, I have no choice. The laird will not be pleased to learn his elite guard is incapacitated because of my doing. Besides, no one learns when resistance is given.”
Amid the grumbles, Iain spoke up. “If we give ye our word to yield when we feel the lock engaged, may we continue?”
She glared at him. “Your word then?”
“Aye, milady.”
Staring down the rest of the group with narrowed eyes, she did not relent until they gave a collective, “Aye.”
She nodded once in return. “We will go another day and see. I expect all those who experience pain in their joints will see me afterward for a proper balm as part of the agreement. No exceptions. And Duff, you are to throw that noxious unguent out. No disrespect to your mother,” she added with a smile.
“None taken, milady.” He offered a gap-toothed smile in return.
While they worked, Anna noticed the laird at a distance, standing under the large oak with another man she couldn’t see well enough to recognize. Though not as tall as the laird, he was broader. Before the group finished for the morning, Duncan joined his father and the stranger. Calling a halt for the noon break, she reminded the men they’d given their word.
Walking toward Duncan, Anna stopped, stunned.
“Grandfather?”
A large grin spread across his craggy face as he opened his arms to her. She immediately ran into his embrace.
“Tigh Beaghan. My favorite Tigh Beaghan,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Anna wiped away tears of happiness. “But Grandfather, I am your only granddaughter.”
“Aye. And that is what makes ye my favorite.” His eyes danced as he laughed out loud and hugged her again.
The MacGregor men left, giving them privacy.
“You are here. Why are you here?” Anna couldn’t believe it.
“To see with my own eyes ye are indeed well. We feared ye dead. And now I hear I am to negotiate yer marriage. I knew why ye kept turning down all those English popinjays. There is too much Scot in yer blood to settle for anything less. I also came to tell ye that ye have a choice. If ye love this man, and want to be his wife, then ye shall have my blessing. But dinnae marry because ye think ye must. Say the word, and we will take ye back. Back to yer family.”
Anna opened her mouth to speak, only to snap it shut when her grandfather held up his hand.
“The earl may wield power on his side of the border, but he will find more than he bargained for if he tries to cross into Scotland to find ye. The group of men he sent after ye when ye fled never lived to see English soil again. Most of the border clans know of yer fate,