Page 61 of Anice’s Bargain

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James could scarce take his eyes off Anice. This woman, bonny beyond words, elegant without compare, had sunk into the dirt like a peasant and dug into the earth to plant peas. Not only had she performed the task to educate his people, but she’d done it in such a clever way in showing the child so that no adult could possibly complain about the difficulty of the task without coming across as a dullard.

He had not been the only one impressed with his wife’s lack of concern in settling in the dirt. The women of the crowd had been heard protesting among themselves at Mistress Graham for having ruined so fine a gown, but there had been pride in their eyes. Their mistress was as comfortable in the dirt as they. It brought her to a real level they could understand and appreciate.

In one singular act, Anice had paved the way for his dream to become a reality. She glanced shyly up at him now. A smudge of soil showed on her cheek. He stretched a hand out to wipe it away and she swept her lashes down to hide her expression.

“Forgive me if I embarrassed you.” She flicked a cautious glimpse up at him. “Or if I perchance stepped over your authority.”

“I’m no’ embarrassed, mo leannan. I’m impressed.”

A pretty flush spread over her cheeks. He liked that about her, how his flattering words made her blush. Morna hadn’t been like that. She’d drunk in compliments like strong wine. They intoxicated her, emboldened her. They made her brash and uncaring. The heartless wench.

But not James’s Anice. His compliments never ceased to warm her fair skin, and he relished every shade of pink he could inspire.

“I knew ye had a bit of knowledge about planting, but I thought that was gardening. I dinna know ye were aware of how to work the land.” He put a hand to her lower back, the move as protective as it was intimate, and led her through the wide castle entrance. “’Tis not the work of a lady.”

“Nor is battle, but many have been won with the addition of women.” She tilted her head in a coy gesture. “And ladies.”

“After seeing the way ye fight, I believe ye.”

She ducked her head, but not before he saw that he’d made her blush again.

He grinned.

“Tell me how ye came to learn how to tend the land.” He guided her down the long corridor of the castle, being careful not to get lost himself. She was right. Every bit of the interior was nearly identical. It was all too easy to get turned about.

Her answer did not come swiftly. In fact, it came after a great, hesitant pause. “The same way I learned to fight.”

The dullness of her words dropped a heavy pit into the depths of his stomach. He didn’t think he would like the response, but he had to know.

“How?” he pressed.

“The attack from yer clan.” She paused and glanced at a door.

“Two more down,” he noted.

She continued walking, albeit faster. Evidently wanting to be done with this conversation.

“Many of our vassals were slain in the attack,” she said. “There were not enough left to complete the planting on their own. Every able-bodied man, woman and child needed to help. I was an able-bodied child, as were my sisters.” She shrugged, as if it were no big thing she’d done. “We’ve aided in the following years as well, to keep it tucked into our minds how to perform the task should we have need again. You know there is little peace of mind on the border.”

He stopped in front of her door. “And ye learned to fight because of my clan as well?”

“Papa wanted to send us away, but we’d just lost our mother. Leaving Papa made us feel as though we were being orphaned.” Anice worked at a speck of dirt clinging to her cuticle, a mote barely visible in the low light of the hall. “Our father insisted if we were to stay, we had to learn to protect ourselves. And so we did.”

“I’m glad he did. Ye should have known as much from the first.”

“We were children,” she said. “And most women, especially ladies, do not know how to lift a weapon with skill.”

“Ye’re extraordinary.”

“I’m not.” She lowered her head, but he caught her chin between his thumb and forefinger and gently guided her to look back up at him.

“Ye are.” He stroked her cheek, so supple and sweet, as all of her was. And he knew well exactly how much so. “Thank ye for what ye did today.”

He curled his fingers to the back of her neck and her mouth softened, parted. His lips came down on hers. He’d meant only a simple kiss, but the silkiness of her tongue darted out and swept against his. With a groan, he’d pulled her more firmly against him and deepened their kiss. She leaned against the door and it rattled on its hinges.

“My lady, I’m so glad ye’ve come back.” A voice spoke on the other side, oblivious to the passion simmering between the two in the hall.