Highlander Unbroken (Highland Adventure Book 8) by Vonda Sinclair Page B

back from death's door when she'd healed his severe injuries. She was almost like a second mother to him, even though she was less than ten years older than him. Still, he didn't want her to ken the extent to which Anna affected him.
    "How is Anna Douglas?" he asked. "Did she sustain any injuries?"
    "Several bruises. Nothing broken that I could tell. I checked her from head to toe."
    Relief eased his tense muscles a bit. "Thank God I got to her in time." Aye, thank God ten thousand times over. And Dunn, too, for he'd alerted Neacal.
    "Indeed. It could've been far worse. She wanted me to tell you not to worry over her."
    He wouldn't now that Tavia had given her the once over. He had never known of another healer as skilled. "I wonder, did she tell you where she's from or anything about herself?"
    "Nay. She seems a very private person."
    He nodded. "I merely wondered if she is married, widowed or betrothed."
    Tavia lifted a curious brow. Damnation, she saw right through him. Now she knew he held a bit more interest in Anna than he should.
    "She's a widow."
    "I see." He was relieved to hear there was no husband who might arrive and be furious about the guard attacking her. And, although he didn't want to admit it, he was also glad Anna was unattached. "Can you check on her in the morn and see how she is?"
    "Of course. I'd be glad to. She's a very pleasant and likable lass."
    "'Tis true." Beyond pleasant, truth be told, but he would keep his mouth shut on the matter.
    "Have a good night, then, m'laird." Tavia could not hide the small smile as she exited.
    Neacal glared after her as the door closed, then muttered a curse. He hadn't wanted her or anyone to know how he was drawn to Anna. But at least Tavia wouldn't tell anyone. Since she'd spent so much time with him while he was recovering, she probably knew him better than anyone.
    He wished he could go see Anna for himself, to make sure she was all right… and just to glimpse her lovely face in the candlelight… but she needed her rest.
    And he needed to remember his place as chief of the clan. He could not dally with someone like her. He respected her too much, and she deserved far better.
     
    ***
     
    Chief Aonghus MacDonald of Sleat disembarked from his galley on the Scottish mainland at the MacRankin clan's tower house and glanced around at the gray, tempestuous sky. The stiff breeze smelled of rain.
    "Come on, son." He motioned to Hamish.
    As their clansmen dragged the rest of the galleys ashore, Sleat, Hamish and their main bodyguards headed up the rock-strewn heathery hill from the shore. After greetings were exchanged and ale served as refreshment, Sleat sat with the young MacRankin chief by the fire as the rain beat down outside.
    "I wondered if you have forgiven Neacal MacDonald for spying on you as he did," Sleat said.
    MacRankin bristled, his cold gray eyes narrowed. "Nay, why? Is the bastard still alive?"
    "Aye, indeed. And he's clan chief now. I've only just come from Bearach Castle. He wanted me to tell you, if I ever saw you again, to burn in hell." Sleat forced himself not to snicker at the lie.
    MacRankin shot up from his chair and paced, calling Neacal a long string of vile names. "The bastard is a traitor to Highlanders everywhere."
    Sleat hid his grin, glad to see the MacRankin was just as enraged by the thought of Neacal as he'd always been. He did wonder though why MacRankin hadn't checked up on Neacal and finished him off long before now. No doubt he was afraid the king would send a fleet of warships after him.
    "He is no Scot, but an arse kisser to a king who is more English than Scottish now. I wonder how much gold he earned for spying on us."
    Sleat shook his head. "His da was knighted and he aspired to the same distinction."
    MacRankin snorted. "Was he knighted?"
    "Nay, I believe you halted his ambitions at court."
    "Thanks to you for telling me of his duplicitous deeds. I hope he is a cripple!"
    "Far from it. He appears strong in body. His mind is