by Hyman, F. S.
“It seems that ye have enough help in the kitchen,” she said to Ainsley. “I think I will venture outside. Maybe there is a garden I could tend.”
“Aye, there is a garden on the south side of the keep,” Ainsley said brightly.
Annabelle nodded and walked from the kitchen. She did not glance Eilidh’s way as she passed her, but she felt the other woman’s eyes boring into her.
Annabelle found the vegetable garden that Ainsley spoke about. She saw that it had some weeds that needed to be pulled. She went down on her knees and began removing the weeds from around the plants. There were figs, strawberries, rhubarb, potatoes, swedes, peas, beans, calabrese, and carrots. Whoever this garden belonged to had been taking good care of it. The plants looked healthy.
It took Annabelle about half an hour to completely remove all of the weeds. When she was done, she found a compost heap and dumped the weeds she had collected onto it. She decided to have a tour of Dunkirk.
Walking back the way she had come, she heard the clash of swords in the distance. Curious, she decided to go toward the sound. She walked past the door to the kitchen and headed toward the north side of the keep. She soon came upon what looked like the training area for the men. She saw that most of the men were watching the two warriors who were fighting in the center of the circle. Because she loved to watch the men, and sometimes was able to spar herself, she walked toward the commotion.
Because she was tall for a woman, she was able to see between the shoulders of the men that were crowded around the fighters. Whoever they were, they seemed to be evenly matched. She pushed her way around the men directly in front of her. They did not seem to notice her because their gazes were so intent on the center of the ring. She could hear wagers being placed on who would win.
When she reached the front of the circle, she almost gasped when she saw that it was Derek fighting with another warrior. She watched the play of his muscles on his bare chest and arms. His body glistened in the sun from the sweat pouring from his body. She was awed by the concentration on his face. She knew that he was a fierce warrior.
Her eyes shifted to the man he was fighting against. He was also well muscled. His dark hair was plastered to his head, and his muscles strained with every thrust of his sword. He too had determination on his face. A smile lifted the corners of Annabelle’s lips. The man reminded her of her friend, Angus, except where this man’s hair was dark, Angus’ was a bright red.
She and Angus had grown up and trained together. Although she was never able to wield a claymore, she was trained in all other combat tactics. She could fight with her hands and a dirk. And what she lacked in strength, she made up for it in intelligence, stealth, and quickness. She and Angus would fight against each other and Angus would have that same look of determination on his face.
A lapse in the fighting gave Derek a moment to scan the crowd. He knew that the men were taking wagers on who would win between him and Colm. They were evenly matched, and usually their bouts ended in a draw. But today, he knew that Colm was fighting through irritation, and the fight may not end with a draw, but would have to be fought until a clear winner was named.
Derek caught a flash of green in the crowd and his vision focused on the source. It was Annabelle. She looked beautiful in a green gown. She had a smile on her face as she watched them. He wondered what she was thinking about, and then he realized that her eyes were on Colm, not the fight. His brow darkened as it dawned on him that she liked what she saw in Colm. His temporary distraction cost him, because at that moment Colm struck a blow that he barely avoided. Colm’s sword sliced across his upper arm. He felt the warm blood began to run down his arm. He wrenched his concentration back to the fight.
Annabelle gasped as she saw the man’s sword slice through Derek’s arm. She frowned. Derek had let his guard down for a moment. That was a grave error as he learned. He should know better. She shook her head and walked back through the men around her.
Annabelle headed back around the keep in the direction of the garden. She passed the garden and compost heap and kept walking toward the woods. There was a slight breeze sifting through the trees. Annabelle lifted her face into it, taking a deep breath.
According to her father, it would soon be time for her family to travel to Dunwiche keep for her wedding to Laird Harold. Although she had begged her father not to make her do it, she understood that it was something that needed to be done. If the highlanders showed a united front, they would appear stronger to the English king and it will be harder for the English to infiltrate their lands. She had resigned herself to her fate, but now everything was turned upside down. She could no longer marry Laird Harold because of Derek’s carelessness. She knew her father would be angry to learn of what happened. He had negotiated with Laird Harold for a long time for this union.
She sighed and continued to walk. Maybe she could come up with a solution. Laird Harold did not have to know what happened. She wondered if she could keep such a thing from him. Would he know that she was no longer a virgin? Maybe she could trick him somehow. But first, she needed to avoid this marriage to Derek.
Annabelle’s head snapped up when she heard a splash. She headed toward the sound and found herself at a loch. It was surrounded by trees and lush grasses. If one wanted to swim or bathe privately, this would be the perfect place. It could not be seen until you came upon it.
Annabelle walked to the water’s edge. She saw a frog leap into the water. That must have been the splash she had heard. She smiled and took a deep breath. She looked behind her to make sure no one had followed her, and then she quickly stripped down to her shift and removed her shoes and stockings. She plodded into the loch, shivering a little at the coolness of the water. When she got waist deep, she plunged her head under the water. The cool water felt good against her skin.
Plunging under again, she began to swim toward the middle of the loch. When she thought she was midway, she stopped and trod water. She looked around her. It was so peaceful. It reminded her of a small loch she and Angus used to go to as children. It was there that he had taught her to swim. They had found it quite by accident.
She and Angus had been about fifteen when they had gone into the woods to hunt. Annabelle’s father did not like for her to go hunting, but he half-heartedly tried to stop her. She always wondered if he had wished she was born a boy. He very rarely curbed her boyish tendencies, but he drew the line at the clothing she wore. She had once put on an old pair of Angus’ trews to go hunting. When he saw her, he was enraged and almost forbade her from going if she did not put on proper attire.
Annabelle smiled at the memory. She and Angus left after she changed and was following a deer through the woods when they stumbled upon the hidden loch.
“Did ye ken this was here, Angus?” she exclaimed running up to the water.
“Nay,” he answered trailing behind her.
“’Tis beautiful,” she whispered, the deer forgotten.
“Aye, ‘tis.”
“Teach me to swim, Angus!”
Angus had looked at her as if she had gone insane.
“Nay! Yer Da would have me hide if he kenned it!” he said.
“Why would he? Ye’re just teaching me to swim,” she said as she stripped down to her shift.
Angus looked her up and down, but she did not notice his regard. She had no idea that her shift would become transparent when she went into the water.
“Because it would be inappropriate,” he answered.
Annabelle looked at him confused. Then she noticed the look in his eyes and comprehension dawned on her.
“Oh,” she whispered.
“Aye, oh,” Angus chuckled.
She had put her gown back on and they left. But the next day, she convinced Angus to go back to the loch. She had layered herself with three shifts so that the material would not be transparent. And they had continued to go every day after that until she had mastered the art of swimming.
She looked around her
again and wondered if this had been the loch that they had stumbled upon so long ago. The thought intrigued her. Had she been to Dunkirk before and just had not known it? Had she lived not far from the MacDougals? That would explain how Derek was able to find her.
Annabelle swam back to the shore and pulled herself out. She looked around to make sure no one had come up unawares, and then she pulled off her wet shift and put on her gown. The texture of the gown felt unfamiliar against her skin, but she was loathed to go back to the keep in wet clothes.
She began to run because she had promised to help with the noon meal.
Chapter 7
Derek watched as Annabelle helped the other women serve the noon meal. Her hair looked wet, and it hung down to her waist. He followed the sway of her hips as she walked around each table, placing a tankard in front of the other men. When she came next to Colm, she gave him a bright smile and introduced herself. He frowned when Colm returned her smile and he saw more than warm regard in Colm’s expression.
Annabelle said something to Colm and he nodded. She then walked back to the kitchen. Derek’s gaze went to Colm. He was conversing with Evan, oblivious to the dark look his friend was sending him. Annabelle did not once look in his direction and allowed Eilidh to serve him. He barely paid any attention to the other woman, his concentration was so keen on Annabelle.
After a moment, Annabelle returned with her own trencher and tankard and sat down in the place Colm made for her at the table. Derek held back a growl when he saw how easily they fell into conversation with each other. They were both laughing, and Annabelle sometimes laid her hand on Colm’s arm.
Derek shot to his feet and stormed from the hall. He went out into the courtyard and stalked to the stables. He should go release his frustration on Eilidh. She was willing and he needed something to take his mind off of the jealousy he was feeling. He really had no right to feel that way. He did not understand it. He and Colm had shared many women over the years, but for some reason he did not want to share this one. He knew that Colm had feelings for the lass, and that bothered him. Apparently, Annabelle had some feelings for Colm as well.
What made her different?
“Derek!” he heard from behind him. He almost ignored it, but he recognized the voice as Megan’s.
He stopped and turned toward the old woman. He did not answer, but waited for her to catch up to him.
“The priest is here. He is ready to perform the ceremony when ye are,” she said, smiling.
Derek held back a curse. He needed to clear his head, but there was no help for it.
“Aye, let’s get it done with,” he said, retracing his steps to the keep.
He was shocked by the feeling of triumph he felt.
When they returned to the hall, everyone was gone and the tables had been cleared. There was no sign of Annabelle or Colm. Derek could feel his anger rising.
“Where is she?” he asked Megan as they walked toward the kitchens.
“I doona ken. She was talking with Colm err I left the hall,” she replied shuffling along behind him.
They entered the kitchen, but only Eilidh and another servant were there cleaning.
“Derek,” Eilidh shrieked, clearly delighted to see him. She walked over to him, oblivious to the scowl on his face.
“Have ye seen Annabelle?” he demanded.
The smile immediately left Eilidh’s face and was replaced by a dark frown of her own.
“She left the keep with Colm,” she in a low voice. She tried to hide her anger.
Without another word, Derek stepped past her and went through the door. Eilidh followed his progression with barely suppressed rage.
“Retract yer claws, lass,” Megan hissed. “Derek is about to be married to the lass. The priest is here.”
Megan almost smiled at Eilidh’s gasp of surprise. But it was quickly suppressed when she saw the storm clouds gather on Eilidh’s brow.
“Ye best get used to the fact that Derek is now off limits,” she said.
Eilidh turned toward her.
“He was already off limits,” she hissed back.
Megan did not reply but shook her head and left the kitchen. There was going to be some hard times ahead for Derek. But it was a situation of his own making.
§
Derek stormed from the keep getting angrier by the second. He was jealous, and he felt like murdering one of his best friends. He looked in the stable, but there was no sign of the pair. He went around to the garden, but they were not there either.
Derek stood for a minute trying to decide where to check next, when he heard swords clashing. Following the sound, he went around to the courtyard. There he found Annabelle and Colm battling each other. He saw red. Why would Colm be fighting a helpless woman?
He stalked over to them.
“What is going on here?” he demanded as he approached the pair.
At first, they did not seem to hear him and continued to spar. Derek watched as Annabelle avoided a blow by Colm’s sword and then making a swift move by turning and pointing her dirk at Colm’s side.
“Aye, verra good, lass!” Colm exclaimed in clear appreciation.
“Thank ye! It took Angus and me a long while to perfect that move,” Annabelle said breathing hard and smiling broadly.
“I can see how it can work against an opponent bigger than ye. I think I may try to learn it myself,” Colm said still smiling and wiping sweat from his brow.
Derek walked up to the couple. He found that his anger was to the boiling point.
“What goes on here?” he demanded again.
Colm and Annabelle swung around to face him. Colm’s expression was one of surprise and then irritation. Annabelle’s was also surprised.
“Annabelle was showing me a trick she has learned,” Colm said evenly. Derek glanced at him, but he kept his eyes on Annabelle.
She was beautiful with her cheeks flushed from her recent excursion. Her eyes were wide and she stared at him without blinking. Derek found himself falling into the fathoms of her beautiful green eyes.
Derek grunted. The noise angered Annabelle.
“What does that noise mean? Ye doona think a mere woman could defend herself?” she challenged him.
Derek watched the expression in her eyes turn to anger. Her chin was tilted in defiance.
“A woman is too weak to defend against a warrior intent on killing her,” he said smugly, his gaze never leaving her face.
Colm stepped toward him to defend her, but Annabelle beat him to it.
“Why ye…” she scowled before she lunged at him.
Derek was surprised by the attack, but quickly recovered and grabbed her raised arm and twisted it behind her back bringing her body against his.
“See,” he chuckled. “Ye are too weak to defend yerself. I perceive that Colm was only humoring ye and let ye think ye had bested him.”
Annabelle’s gaze went toward Colm as she struggled against Derek’s hold. Colm only looked on with a hooded gaze. She growled and brought her foot back against his shin. Surprised, he loosened his hold on her and she wrenched free.
“Ye are despicable, Derek MacDougal! Doona ever touch me again,” she said as she turned and fled back to the keep.
Derek took a step to follow her, but Colm stepped in his way. Derek looked at him with a raised brow.
“I dinna let her beat me, Derek,” he said quietly.
Derek looked into his friend’s eyes. What he saw confirmed what he had already suspected. Colm was in love with Annabelle, and that irritated him.
“Come to the keep, Colm. The priest is here,” he said walking around Colm and going to find Annabelle.
Colm watched Derek go back to the keep vowing that if Derek hurt Annabelle, he would defend her honor, even if it was to the death.
Chapter 8
Derek strode into the keep. He was furious, more at himself than at Annabelle. He should expect resistance from her, but it was not something he was used to. Most of the
women he had dealt with in the past sought him out. He had always been able to placate even the most resistant female. They had always given up in the end. He did not know how to handle this one. She was different. This was going to be harder than he thought. And then add in the fact that his good friend was in love with the very woman he was going to marry was enough to stoke his anger.
“What has happened?” Megan asked as he strode past her.
“Nothing,” he growled.
“The priest is ready to perform the ceremony when ye are.”
Derek growled. He just kept up the stairs.
“What should I tell the priest?” she called after him.
“We will be down shortly,” he grumbled and headed toward his bedchamber.
Derek did not know how he knew she was there, but he burst through the door startling her at the window. The look on her face stopped him in his tracks. There were tear stains on her face, but the look in her eyes was the complete opposite of what tears should mean. There was fire in their green depths, and he had the feeling that if she thought that she could get away with it, she would have murdered him on the spot.
“The priest is ready to perform the ceremony, Annabelle,” he said quietly.
The fire in her eyes seemed to burn hotter. He wondered if they would have the same look when she was in the throes of passion.
She did not answer, but continued to stare at him. He could feel the tension flowing from her body. He knew she objected.
“Ye have nae choice, lass. Ye have been compromised and we must be wed to correct the situation,” he said in a hard voice.
Annabelle gave an unladylike snort and turned again to the window. Derek stepped farther into the chamber and closed the door.
“I only have yer word that is what happened,” she finally said.
“But ‘tis true. I remember exactly that it happened,” he smirked.
Annabelle turned on him with a scowl.
“And, besides, we were found together in bed, and that alone is enough for us to wed.”
