The entire evening with War kept rolling through her mind as she tried to force herself to sleep. He was a gentle giant of a man who had earned a prestigious reputation as one of the greatest young knights in England. The king loved him, so much so that he gave him an esteemed post at Bamburgh. Everyone who was anyone in the warring circles of England knew the name of War Herringthorpe.
The man named War.
She could easily see what had everyone so enamored.
He had a quiet way about him, self-depreciating at times, but arrogant in others. He knew his worth. God knows, the man knew his worth. He was the most talented man in the room and he knew it, but when he was in the room with William or Kieran, he also knew his place in the hierarchy. They were on top, he was working his way up. He was humorous– very humorous– but he also spoke with a wisdom and seriousness beyond his years. He was brilliant, interesting, and kind. At least, he was with her.
He was perfect.
Did she fancy the man? After last night, she did, but that was something no one could ever know. She was Scots; he was English. A great English knight. He would be expected to marry a lord’s daughter, or an heiress or a countess or even a princess. A man like that needed to marry well.
Not a clan chief’s daughter.
Even Annaleigh knew that.
It was a sad and disappointing realization.
But that still didn’t mean she wanted to entertain Talus or Anthony. Perhaps she should just return to Scotland and forget all about War Herringthorpe. The sooner, the better, because as it was, one more long conversation with the man and she’d probably be madly in love with him.
“Annie!” Penelope cut into her thoughts, tugging on her hand again. “Please chase me! Just a little?”
Annaleigh sighed heavily, glancing at the cook only to see the man smirk. Everyone knew that Penelope’s wishes would be obeyed. Therefore, Annaleigh surrendered to the inevitable. As the cook walked away, Annaleigh growled like a bear and Penelope screamed in delight. As she ran off, Annaleigh went in pursuit.
All of the children were screaming happily as Annaleigh pretended to be a vicious animal. She growled and made claw-like gestures with her fingers, giddily terrifying the children. She finally caught Rose, who managed to slip away from her and bump into Penelope, sending her to the ground. It was enough for Annaleigh to capture Penelope.
More screaming.
Penelope, however, didn’t want to play the game the correct way. She refused to go into the cage, which was really just a box drawn in the dirt. Annaleigh insisted she go to the cage if she wanted her to continue playing the game, so Penelope flopped on her back in the box and cried angrily.
Annaleigh stood over her, hands on hips, shaking her head.
“It seems to me that someone has done Lady Penelope wrong,” Talus said, walking up behind her. “I cannot imagine what that could be.”
Annaleigh turned to look at him as he entered the kitchen yard from the stables. “Can’t ye, now?” she said, smirking. “Lady Penny has been playing a game and quite imperiously consigning young Nathaniel tae this cage, but when she herself is put in it, she refuses tae comply.”
Talus’ eyebrows lifted in understanding. “I see,” he said. “Well, every hive must have a queen. She is clearly the queen and the rules do not apply.”
Annaleigh rolled her eyes at him. “Ye are far too lenient, Talus,” she said. “Even Penny needs tae learn tae play by the rules. Life is full of rules.”
“I suppose,” he said. Then he leaned over Penelope as she cried in the dirt. “May I help you to your feet, my lady?”
Penelope’s face was streaked with dirt where she wiped her snot and tears. “Nay!” she said. “I want out of the cage!”
“I am offering to help you.”
“Will you give me your sword?”
“Regretfully, I will not.”
“But I must fight my way out.”
Talus shook his head. “Not with my sword, my lady,” he said. “You must find another way to escape.”
Penelope sat up and started wailing again. Talus looked stricken, as if he’d done something wrong, but Annaleigh shook her head at him.
“Not tae worry,” she said. “Ye did the right thing.”
Talus shrugged but was prevented from replying when William came through the kitchen gate, straight for his screaming daughter. The man could hear her anywhere, anytime, and would gravitate in her direction. His older sonswould do it, too, and Penelope knew that if she cried long enough and loud enough, it would bring reinforcements.
