Lying to a man bigger than even he, did not sound like a good idea, so Kevin nodded. "If you promise not to break anything, I will pour you some wine and try to explain. However, know this; you are not leaving here for the next two days at least. I intend to let her get all the way into England where you cannot find her before I let you out."
"Does Thomas know you are keeping me?"
"Not yet. I suppose I will have to go to war with him over you. Did I not warn you Charlet has the power to start a war?"
Blair finally smiled, "Aye, you did." His rage had turned to hurt, disappointment and finally fear. He was losing her and he could feel it.
"By the way, my men will be guarding the hidden doors in the wall. Come, I have more to tell you."
Inside, the two men chatted about Kenna, the lairds who came to marry Charlet and all the blonde hair that turned to red. But Kevin could see Blair was hardly listening. He saved the bad news for last. "Charlet is the King of England's niece. She is first in line to the throne."
Blair slumped against the back of his chair. He closed his eyes, ran his fingers through his hair and rocked forward. Then he grabbed the goblet, drank until it was empty and set it down. "I was worried because I cannot make her mistress of a clan. How do I ask her to give up the throne of England? What kind of man would do that to the woman he loves?"
"You are a better lad than most."
Blair's eyes were closed, he was rubbing his brow and he was mumbling. "...choose me over the throne of England? There is not a hope in hell."
Kevin felt bad for Blair and tried to think of some comforting words. "Anna went with her. I swore I would never let her go again, but my wife is a determined woman when she wants to be and I am powerless to stop her. They have a guard with them and they will be safe."
Blair didn't hear a word Kevin said.
*
It was another boring day in the King of England's court. The king's heavy crown was crooked and he was slouched over with his head propped up on one hand. Then there came a commotion in the back of the court and he heard a woman yell.
"I will see the king now!"
The king stood up and tried to see who it was. First, he saw flaming red hair and then he spotted Anna. "Let them come!" he commanded.