"Did you and his lairdship leave together?" With Tavia's blunt and to the point words, heat rushed over Anna.
"Nay. He followed me and rescued me."
"Why did you leave? Where did you go and who did he rescue you from?"
Anna explained the situation as briefly as possible, including the fact that, in the eyes of the law, she was likely considered Blackburn's wife. By the time she was finished, Tavia's mouth hung open.
A knock sounded at the door and they dropped silent. "Enter," Tavia finally recovered enough to say.
The maid carried in the steaming pitcher of water, poured it into the basin, then exited.
Anna had left out the part about the intimacy she and Neacal had shared on their journey. She wanted no one to know about that. But she was afraid Tavia already suspected, for her eyes gleamed with mischief. Anna had also left out the part about Neacal impulsively proposing to her at the inn. So many secret details. She hoped she could keep them all straight.
"So, the young ladies have not left?" Anna asked, removing her muddyarisaid.
"Nay, their fathers have been arguing incessantly, each man adamant that Neacal is the only husband for the daughter in question."
Anna shook her head. Knowing Neacal as she did now, 'twas clear to her the men were wasting their time.
"But I suspect Neacal is off the marriage market for good now. Am I right?" Tavia smiled.
"I have no inkling," Anna said innocently, though her heart rate increased. She sincerely hoped he would not marry one of the girls.
Tavia snickered, taking a seat by the fire, her back to Anna. "You do not fool me."
"Did you not listen to my story? In the eyes of the law, I'm likely already married." Anna did not wish to discuss her attraction to Neacal. She lathered the rag and hastily began washing the mud from her skin.
"And do you think that will stop Neacal?" Tavia prodded at the fire with a poker then added more peat. "It sounds like an illegal marriage anyway. Have no fears; he will deal with the miscreant."
A cold shiver passed through Anna, and it had naught to do with the water cooling on her freshly cleaned skin. "I do not want them fighting! Blackburn is a ruthless murderer."
"Neacal can be ruthless to his enemies when he chooses to be."
"I know." Anna well remembered the dead bodies Neacal had left around the burned cottage. "He is a highly skilled warrior, but I don't wish him to put himself in any more danger because of me."
"You are extremely worried about him." Tavia's tone was cheerful, as if Anna's worry pleased her.
Anna glared over her shoulder but her friend still worked at the fire. "Of course, I am. I worry about anyone who faces Blackburn on the field of battle. He takes no prisoners."
"Colin brought many men with him, so I reckon the odds have shifted into the MacDonalds' favor."
"I hope you're right," Anna said softly. 'Twould simply kill her if anything happened to Neacal because of her. She would never forgive herself.
