He handed off the horse to one of the stable lads and turned to face her. "What is it you would like to talk to me about?"
A crease appeared between her brows. "Wouldn't you like to go inside? I can have one of the servants bring us something cool to drink--"
"Here is fine," he said sharply.
Defensive warfare, he reminded himself. The Hall would be quiet inside at this time of day. A yard full of people milling about was much safer.
Thank God MacGregor and MacSorley weren't around to see this. He would never hear the end of it.
Apparently he did have a cowardly bone in his body. He'd have to tell his brother Neil the next time he saw him.
She pursed her mouth, trying to look disapproving. But it failed miserably, only making her nose wrinkle up--adorably, damn her.
"Very well." She didn't sound happy about it. "Your brother mentioned you were good with a spear."
Dugald didn't know the half of it. Arthur carefully kept the extent of his skill hidden, not wanting it turned against his friends. With his enemies he was good--but not so good as to attract notice. He downplayed his scouting skills even more. Dugald still liked to prod him about the "freakish" abilities he'd displayed as a lad. Only Neil knew they hadn't disappeared but had actually been honed sharper.
"What does my ability with a spear have to do with anything?" His voice held the edge of impatience.
"I thought you might help organize the tests of skill for tomorrow's games."
He frowned. "What games?"
"Since we weren't able to hold the Highland Games this year, I thought it would be fun to put together a series of challenges for the men. They can compete against one another instead of other clans. My father thought it was a wonderful idea."
Arthur stared at her incredulously. "Thisis what is so important?" This was what she'd made him miss his ride for? Fun? Games? He fought to control his temper, but he could feel it slipping away. He didn't have a temper, damn it. Nonetheless his fists were clenched tight. The chit was living in a fantasy world with no idea of how precarious her father's situation was. "Do you know why the games weren't held this year?"
Her eyes narrowed, not missing the patronizing tone. "Of course I do. The war."
"And yet you devise games while men are trying to prepare for battle."
He saw a spark in her eye. Good. He hoped she was angry. She might not want to think about the war, but neither could she ignore it. Maybe she'd see how ridiculous this was.
Just like it was ridiculous for him to be noticing how long and feathery her lashes were, or the delicate arch of her brow.
"Itistraining. The games are only a means to enliven it. The competition will be good for them, and it will be fun."
"There is nothing fun about warfare," he said angrily.
"Perhaps not," she said softly, seeming to pick up on something in his voice. Then she did it again. Touched him. The gentle press of her hand on his arm made every nerve-ending blast off like one of William "Templar" Gordon's explosions. Their eyes met and he could see her sympathy. He didn't want it--or need it. It wasn't him she should worry about but her father and clansmen. "But sometimes going into battle is not all about warfare. What of the men's spirit? Is that not important as well?"
He didn't say anything. He didn't completely agree, but he didn't completely disagree either.
He could feel her eyes scanning his face. "If you do not wish to help me, I can find someone else."
He clenched his jaw, knowing he should deny her. Let her torture some other poor fool. But he liked that idea even less. Instead he found himself asking through gritted teeth, "What do you need?"
She beamed, and the force of it hit him like a blow across the chest. He nearly staggered.
As he listened to her excited voice explain what she wanted him to do, Arthur knew he should have run for it when he'd had the chance.
The day of the "Games" dawned bright and sunny. A good portent, as it turned out, for the games themselves.
Anna had been right, she thought with a smile that might have held a twinge of smugness. This was good for the men. No matter whathesaid.
Thus far, the games had been a rousing success. Not just for the knights and men-at-arms participating in the challenges, but for the occupants of the castle and the villagers as well. Hundreds of clansmen had followed the warriors' progress in the challenges of skill and strength, cheering for their favorites whether they won or lost.
In the morning the spectators had gathered near the galley house--which housed her father's ships--to watch the boat races and swimming contests in the bay behind the castle. They'd moved to thebarmkinfor the sword and archery contest before the lavish midday meal, and now they'd clustered on patches of grass mixed into the rocky knoll just beyond the castle gates for the final event: spear throwing.
