“Thank ye, but nay,” Annaleigh said. Then, she dropped Penelope’s hand and closed the gap between her and Anthony. “Sir Anthony, I dunna mean tae be cruel, but I must make it clear that I’m not interested in a suitor.Anysuitor. If ye simply mean tae be friendly with yer offer, then I appreciate it and mayhap I will go another time, but if ye mean anything more than that, then I must refuse ye.”
The warmth in Anthony’s eyes faded a little. “Well,” he said, a smirk on his lips. “I suppose that was plain enough.”
“I am sorry if it offends ye.”
“It doesn’t. But you cannot fault a man for trying.”
There was some humor as he realized she was clearly rejecting his advances and Annaleigh smiled weakly. “Nay, I canna fault ye,” she said. “But I dunna want tae give ye any hope where none exists. And before ye ask me, I dunna find anything wanting in ye. I simply dunna wish tae be courted right now. I’ve much happening with my family and in my life, and a suitor wouldna be welcome. It would be a… complication.”
Anthony smiled weakly in return. “I’ve heard,” he said softly.
“What have ye heard?”
“That your clan blames you for the battle at Etal months back.”
Annaleigh nodded with some sorrow and also some shame. “’Tis true.”
“I am not entirely sure how they can justify that kind of blame,” he said. “From what I heard, the Etal men were completely to blame.”
It was nice to hear of his support, something Annaleigh hadn’t seen much of since that fateful event. “I think so,” she said. “I know I dinna do anything tae invite being attacked by two Etal soldiers. But there are those who think I did.”
His smile faded. “Will you tell me the names of these men?”
It was a surprising question, but not so surprising considering Anthony’s character. He was very chivalrous, very loyal, even to a cousin of his liege.
It was rather sweet, actually.
“Nay,” she said, impulsively putting a hand on his arm in a show of gratitude. “I dunna know their names. They dinna do more than tear my sleeve and frighten me, though they did steal my sheep. I tried tae tell my da of this, but he was bent onpunishing the men who did it. When Etal Castle would not turn the men over to him, he decided tae attack. He said that if he dinna, the Sassenach would think him weak.”
Anthony nodded in understanding. That was the most he’d ever heard about the situation and straight from the horse’s mouth, no less. It also made him angry against those who had accosted her and her clan, who apparently blamed her for her father’s decision to punish those who had wronged her. Anthony was a man of deep feeling, of a strong sense of right and wrong, and he didn’t like it when others were treated poorly.
Especially Lady Annaleigh.
“He is not wrong,” he said, sorry when she removed her hand from his arm. “The English here at the border are always suspicious against the Scots, always trying to test them. And the Scots test the English plenty as well. I suppose he did what he felt was right.”
Annaleigh nodded. “I know he did,” she said. “I only wish he had not. Men died because of his decision and, truthfully, because of what happened tae me. That is what some of my clan canna forgive. That is why my da sent me tae Castle Questing. He says it will all go away if I am not there as a target for their anger.”
Anthony lifted his eyebrows in resignation. “It makes sense,” he said. “People are usually quick to anger, quick to forget. But I am sorry you have had to endure the situation. It cannot be pleasant.”
Annaleigh shrugged. “It has given me the opportunity to come to Castle Questing,” she said, watching Penelope fidget as she waited for her. “It has given me the chance to know a bonny lass with a big mouth and devious mind.”
They were both looking at Penelope now and Anthony grinned at the sight of the squirmy child. “I have known her since birth,” he said. “The day she was born was the daycommand of Castle Questing shifted from William to her. I shudder to think how she’ll be when she becomes a woman. God help her husband.”
Annaleigh laughed softly. “Agreed,” she said. But her attention returned to him. “But for now… please understand I mean ye no disrespect, Sir Anthony. Ye seem tae be a fine man. But I’m simply not ready for anything as important as a suitor right now.”
Anthony didn’t like it, but he didn’t fight her on it. At least, not now. “I hope we can still be friends.”
“I hope so, too.”
“The next time I go into Wooler, I would still be honored if you would like to ride along.”
“I just might.”
As the two of them engaged in idle conversation that had nothing to do with suitors or battle, in the keep high above, they were being watched.
Two older women were focused on them.
One of them was blonde, with wide green eyes and an angelic face while the other was shorter, with dark hair and green eyes. They watched the pair in the kitchen yard while Penelope began to kick at the dirt and turn circles impatiently.
