Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,89

and have sworn to protect ye if ye return.”

Anna’s tears returned, knowing so many were willing to shield her.

“Yer da was an Englishman respected by all. ’Twas a rare thing amongst our people. Because the earl killed Braxton and my grandson, then forced my only granddaughter to flee blindly into the unknown, he earned naught but more enemies.”

To be in her grandfather’s arms again reminded her of the love she had known all her life. Tears of joy seeped as she held him tight.

“Ye should have come to me, Sprite, I would have protected ye,” he whispered in her ear.

Hearing his childhood name for her warmed Anna’s heart. “I knew not who attacked us. After losing father and Edrick, I could not bring those enemies to you.”

He held her in front of him and clucked his tongue at her response. “I cannae call ye Sprite any longer. Ye are a woman grown.”

A smile spread across Anna’s face. “I will always be your Sprite, Grandfather. I do love Duncan and wish to marry. The first week here was difficult, but they have treated me with nothing but kindness since.”

Nodding, he held out an arm for her. Anna kissed him on a weathered cheek, then took his offered arm and walked back to the keep. As they passed through the main hall, the group of Elliot men at the table rose as one and surrounded her in greeting. Anna was elated to see her clansmen. Of the twenty men her grandfather brought, an uncle and four cousins were part of the group. With a nod of his head, Moray Elliot signaled his son, her mother’s brother, to accompany him to the laird’s hall, bringing Anna with him.

Anna, escorted by her uncle Gavin, walked into the smaller room. She noticed the hearth chairs placed in a circle with Duncan, Kenneth and her grandfather already seated. Kenneth gingerly rubbed his jaw, drawing her concern. She took the empty seat between Duncan and her grandfather.

“Laird, do you have a tooth troubling you? I can take a look. Perhaps an herbal posset will draw out any infection.”

Kenneth smiled, which apparently hurt, as he clutched his jaw. “Nae, my teeth are fine—mayhap a bit loose. Howbeit, my jaw is sore.”

Anna shot him a puzzled look.

“Yer grandda hits harder than one would think. When I told him I held ye prisoner for a sennight, he took offense.”

Suddenly embarrassed, Anna muttered, “I am sorry.”

Kenneth gave her a reassuring look. “Tis nothing to be sorry for. Duncan would have done the same if he thought he could have gotten away with it.” The curve of his lips and the wink he gave her said there were no hard feelings.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

Starting from the time she and Edrick witnessed their home under attack, Anna recounted what transpired until she encountered the MacGregors. Apparently, the two lairds had already covered this touchy ground. She had no wish to open the topic again for fear of further hostilities. Picking up with Alain’s attack, she related the rest. Duncan took up part of the tale. Both her grandfather and uncle asked questions from time to time, especially about the ambush. Each time her deeds were told, her grandfather and uncle grinned with pride.

An uncontrollable anger swept over Anna at the news the earl’s men had rebuilt her home and now occupied it. She sprang from her chair and paced to the window and back. With no way to vent her rage, it slowly settled into her gut. Trying to control her breathing, Anna told herself this was not unexpected, but to hear it confirmed by family across the border somehow made it more real.

By the time she’d calmed enough to sit again, discussion of her marriage had begun and a bargain was soon struck. Much to Anna’s surprise, her grandfather offered a tocher on her behalf. Even MacGregor seemed to be surprised by the coin.

The promise of assistance, should it be needed, was agreed upon. Five days of hard riding separated the clans, so immediate help would not be forthcoming for either. They granted permission to have the banns called immediately. Anna and Duncan would marry within three weeks. As they completed the agreement, a shiver ran through her. Whether from anticipation or fear, she couldn’t say. Holding her hand, Duncan obviously felt it, sending her a reassuring look.

Uncle Gavin took his leave, along with Duncan, to see the Elliot men settled, and Anna went upstairs to wash and change for