For a moment the only sound was Tempest’s labored breathing.
Then Alan said, “I understand what ye feel.”
“But,” she tipped her chin up at him, unable to bridle her fury, “ye are no’ man enough to do the job?”
He did not mention the thrashing he’d given Evan up in his chamber, that she had witnessed. That, anyway, was not what she asked.
“Very well, then,” she rushed on, “I am woman enough to do it for ye.”
“Annista.” He hissed her name. “Do no’ say that. At least—no’ aloud.”
“Why not?” She flared. “There is no one to hear—save yoursel’ and the horse, who knows already. I ha’ made him a promise. Will ye go running to your father and tell on me? Will ye try to protect that—that—” She ran out of words.
“Nay. I will no’. Foolish lass, can ye no’ see I’m trying to protect ye? From him. From yourself.”
“I am no’ afraid o’ him.”
“Ye should be. Only look at wha’ he has done to a creature so fierce ’twas a matter o’ wondering which o’ them would kill the other.”
Annista leaned toward Alan much as she had to the horse and spoke into his face. “I am no’ afraid. Mayhap ye are.”
His jaw grew tight and something flickered in his eyes. Protest? Anger? Shame?
Before he could speak she said, “I will nurse this horse back to health. And if Evan comes near me—’tis he better watch his back.”
Alan hissed between his teeth but said nothing more. Old Billy came hurrying back with clean cloths in his hands and a tub of salve.
“I ha’ Cook heating water, Master Alan. We will need to clean these wounds first.”
“I will do it,” Annista told the old man.
Billy glanced at Alan who said, “Billy is an expert, Mistress Wife. Come awa’ and let him do his work.”
Mistress Wife.
“Tempest will no’ want anyone touching him, save me. I daresay my touch will be the gentlest.”
Billy began to bristle at that. “Mistress, I ha’ been tending horses—”
“—longer than I ha’ been alive. Aye, I ken. This is no’ an ordinary case.” She went down on her knees in the straw again.
To the astonishment of everyone there, Tempest turned his great head to her and placed his chin on her knee.
“And if Evan comes for his horse?” Alan asked, still uneasy.
“If he does,” she snapped, “he’d better be ready to take what he gets.”
Alan grimaced.
“Stand guard,” she told him, “if ye want to be useful.”And if ye ha’ the balls.
She did not add those last words. She did not think she needed to.
Chapter Sixteen
Evan did not appear at the stables that day, though nearly everyone else connected with the estate did, making excuses to come by. Alan—ordered to stand guard—did not stray far from his post and listened to much of what went on inside.
Annista did not leave the stallion’s side. After some time she accepted Billy’s help, the two of them seeming to fall into an accord.
