Relieved to be free of her duty, she kept to her room for the remainder of the day. Though she loved nothing more than to be surrounded by her family and a brimming Hall full of clansmen, today was the rare occasion when she wanted to be by herself. She also feared her low spirits would be obvious and didn't want to draw unwanted concern from her well-meaning mother and sisters. Moreover, she was still feeling far too vulnerable after that kiss to chance running into him.
It was cowardly, perhaps, but she needed time to think. She'd replayed what had happened over and over in her mind, and each time she became more convinced that she hadn't been wrong.
He couldn't kiss her like that and not feelsomething. He'd wanted her to think it had been only lust, but in her heart she knew it was something more.
Yet, for some reason he was intent on pushing her away. His coldness and cruel words seemed calculated to do just that.
But why?
And more importantly, why was she so desperate to find a reason?
Because she cared, and it seemed she was harboring some silly, childish hope that maybe he hadn't meant what he'd said. That maybe he cared, too.
It shouldn't matter. He was all wrong for her. A cold, remote warrior who didn't care about anyone or anything other than fighting the next battle.
But as much as she wanted to put him in that box, he didn't quite fit.
He wasn't nearly as unfeeling as he wanted her to think. She had seen glimpses of emotion when he'd caught her after she'd stumbled off the hillside, and when he'd saved her and Squire from the wolves. Then, the way he'd kissed her had left no doubt that he was a man capable of deep emotion.
She'd never been attracted to warriors before, but with Arthur it was just the opposite: she'd never been so attracted to a man--or his body--in her life. Who knew muscles could be so ... arousing? His battle-hard physique should represent everything she hated about war, but in his arms she'd never felt so safe and protected.
And the sketch. That had been the most surprising thing. That the same hand that wielded a sword and spear with such devastation could draw with such deft skill and beauty ...
Arthur Campbell wasn't a typical warrior. There was more to him. From the first she'd sensed something different about him. Not just that he kept to himself, but the strange intensity simmering under the surface that set him apart.
Perhaps it was also the hint of loneliness and sadness that drew her. Even with his brother and the other men he'd seemed like a contented outsider--a man who didn't need anyone.
But everyone needed someone. No one could actually want to be alone.
Maybe he just didn't know any better.
Anna felt a flicker of possibility break through the hurt. She hugged the puppy curled up in her lap to her chest, kissing the soft fur on his head. Maybe, like Squire, he only needed someone to give him a chance. Someone to give him a little affection.
By the next morning, Anna was feeling more like herself. She returned to her seat beside her brother Alan on the dais to break her fast.
Her pulse spiked each time someone walked in the room. She was ready to see him. She wanted to see whether she was right. When their eyes met for the first time, she was certain she would know whether he cared for her, whether cruelty was merely his way of keeping her at a distance--just like he did everyone else.
As the meal drew on and Arthur didn't appear, Anna grew increasingly uneasy. When his brothers and the rest of the Campbells appeared, the fierce pounding in her chest took a sudden dive.
Unfortunately, her odd behavior had not gone unnoticed.
"He's not here," Alan said, putting his hand on hers.
She startled, jerking her gaze away from the entry. "Who's not here?" But the hot flush that rose to her cheeks gave her away.
He squeezed her hand under his, gently. "Campbell."
Obviously, he'd figured out the correct one.
She managed a wan smile, not bothering to feign ignorance. Her interest in the knight had not gone unnoticed by her overprotective brother. "I merely wished to ask him a favor. Squire has been moping around all morning, and I wondered if Sir Arthur might take him with him when he goes out riding this morning."
Her brother gave her a look that suggested he was not fooled by her feeble excuse.
"You'll have to find someone else to exercise your hound for a while."
A sick feeling dropped in her chest, settling uneasily in her stomach. Her voice quivered. "What do you mean?"
She braced herself, but part of her already knew what Alan was going to say.
