Marti Talbott's Highlander Series, Book 1

He gave her a hand mirror and stepped away. "It was my mother's and you may keep it if you like."

"Thank you." It took all of her will power, but finally she lifted the mirror and looked. Horrified, she instantly lowered it and closed her eyes. At length, she looked again and began to study the damage more closely. She opened her mouth as wide as she could and looked at the inside of her cheek. It was obvious both her upper and lower teeth had deeply cut it. Then she looked for chipped teeth. They seemed undamaged.

He watched her and was also relieved her teeth were not broken. He noticed how meticulously she examined every inch of her face. Weeks before, he wondered how it would be to have an ugly wife, but dismissed it, thinking no woman could live up to the beauty of the one on the horse. Besides, he intended to ignore the woman most of the time. Still, Anna seemed to care, and if she cared, she would likely try to look her best and it would be enough.

Anna took a deep breath. She was most concerned with her nose. It was bruised, tender to the touch and had a lump on the bridge, but it was once again straight. "Thomas fixed it for me."

"He told me. He also said you did not cry out. As I recall, when I fixed his nose, he yelled and stomped his foot."

It made her smile. She looked in the mirror again and then set it down on the table. "I suspect it will take a week or two to find my face again, and I will go daft if I stay hidden away. I believe I would like to take a walk."

He was pleased with her; she seemed to be sensible. He could have done a lot worse, he reminded himself, and perhaps he might even like her eventually. He already admired her. She didn't seem to need his comfort either, as he imagined most women would. Instead, her calm manner seemed to soothe his anger and he marveled at the feeling.