Free The Ranger by Monica McCarty Page B

her voice even.
    But she felt a prickle of unease, suspecting what her father wanted her to do. She might not be able to wield a sword or join her brothers on the battlefield, but Anna did what she could to help put an end to the war in other ways. Including, on occasion, keeping an eye on knights or barons whom he didn’t trust. It wasn’t spying ... exactly.
    “What do you think of him?”
    The question didn’t surprise her. Her father often asked her impression of visitors or new soldiers. Most leaders wouldn’t deign to ask a woman’s opinion, but her father was not most men. He believed in using whatever tools he had at his disposal. Women were more perceptive than men, he believed, so he took advantage of their skill.
    She gave a little shrug. “I spoke with him only briefly. Not more than a few words. He seemed ...” Rude. Aloof. Cold. “Dedicated to his duty.”
    He nodded as if he agreed. “Aye, he’s an able knight. Not as lauded as his brother, perhaps, but an accomplished warrior. Was there nothing else?”
    She could feel her father’s scrutiny and fought the flush that threatened to climb her cheeks. She’d noticed the knight was handsome and built like a rock, but she wasn’t going to mention that. She thought back to the feast. “He seems to prefer to keep to himself.”
    His eyes sparked as if she’d said something to interest him. “What do you mean?”
    “I noticed at the feast that he didn’t seem to talk much, even to his brothers. I don’t think he even has a squire. He barely drank, he wasn’t interested in flirting with any of the lasses or dancing, and he left as soon as he could.”
    His mouth twisted to the side. “You seem to have noticed quite a bit about him.”
    This time she couldn’t prevent the heat from flooding her face. “Perhaps,” she admitted. “But it’s no matter.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “I don’t think he likes me very much.”
    Her father couldn’t hide his amusement, which she thought a bit unfeeling in the circumstances.
    “Actually, that’s why I called you here.”
    “Because he doesn’t like me?”
    “Nay, because I think it’s just the opposite, and I wonder why he’s going to such an effort to pretend otherwise.”
    Anna thought her father seriously misread the situation, but she didn’t bother arguing. Like most fathers, he thought it inconceivable that any man would reject one of his beloved daughters. “Perhaps it’s the old feud,” she suggested. “His father died in battle with our clan, didn’t he?”
    A strange look crossed his face, before he gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “Aye, many years ago. That could be some of it, but I don’t think all of it. Something about the lad bothers me. I can’t put my finger on it, but I want you to keep an eye on him. Just for a while. It’s probably nothing, but with the truce coming to an end, I don’t want to take any chances. But neither can I afford to give offense. The Campbells are formidable warriors and I need all the men I can get.”
    Her stomach dropped. It was as she’d feared. After their conversation earlier, the last thing she wanted to do was keep an eye on Sir Arthur Campbell. “Father, he has made it clear—”
    “He’s made nothing clear,” he snapped. “You are wrong about Campbell’s interest in you.” Then in a milder voice, he added, “I’m not asking you to seduce the man, just watch him.” He gave her a hard look. “I do not understand this reluctance. I thought you wished to help. I thought I could count on you.”
    Chastened, she said hurriedly, “You can.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Did something happen you are not telling me about? Did he touch you—”
    “Nay,” she insisted. “I told you everything. Of course I will do as you bid. I was just suggesting it might not be easy.”
    Whatever qualms she had paled in comparison to her vow to do whatever she could to see an end to the war and a victory for the MacDougalls. Even if it