"Ach," Hugh said, his jaw hardening. "Do ye forget that we have people to get back to in the Highlands? We cannae dally in England."
She doesnae need to ken that I left without tellin' me people where I went. But if she keeps pushin', I will have to tell her.
"And what is a few more days?" she challenged. "Surely your people will understand if we take a week to get married properly."
As Hugh scrubbed a hand over his face, Vincent made a noise of discomfort. The man cleared his throat, but it was not enough to stamp out the fight in Hugh's bones. This was something that he couldn't compromise on.
"They will be your people, too," Hugh growled, the tone of his voice making Anna's shoulders drop a bit. He softened slightly, sensing that she wouldn't respond well to further gruffness. "Once we marry, ye will be Lady McDonald, and that means that ye will have a duty to yer people. I ken ye want to celebrate with yer family, but we cannae do so here."
That seemed to do the trick. Anna remained silent, her arms still folded, but the fire in her eyes dimmed to one of understanding. He could tell that she still wished to fight for what she wanted, but she was a reasonable woman. A compromise could be found, and it seemed that she understood that.
She's a good mental match for me. I couldnae imagine bein' married to a lass that went along with everythin' I said.
"Fine," Anna finally relented. "But I would at least like a small ceremony. I'd like my father to watch us be wed. We can discuss a proper celebration once we are in Scotland."
"Aye, we will," Hugh agreed. "Me family will nae be pleased that I was wed without them to witness it. I'm sure me maither will want to plan a proper ceilidh."
Anna nodded, placated. Her shoulders were still a bit tight, though she did seem much lighter. Then, she glanced back at Vincent. "So, the license will be finalized in three days. We will still need a church for the small ceremony."
"I…" Vincent coughed, blinking a few times as he shifted himself back into his role. "Yes, we can arrange that."
"I will handle the invitations," Anna said, running her hands over her skirt. "And I will find a gown appropriate for the occasion. Then, we will leave. But only after the ceremony."
The corner of Hugh's mouth tugged upward as he realized that she would do well in her role as Lady McDonald. Her response here was diplomatic, holding authority. He wondered if it was too early to be proud of her capabilities.
"Is there anythin' else ye need from the two of us?" Hugh asked Vincent. "Or are we free to leave?"
"I will handle the rest," Vincent said, looking relieved to be rid of them. "Once I've secured the church, I will send word so you may finish your preparations."
"Thank you," Anna said as the three of them stood.
As soon as Hugh had shaken Vincent's hand and the three said their goodbyes, he turned to Anna and said, "I need to stretch me legs. That meetin' went on longer than I expected it would. Ye English are…"
"Thorough?" she offered with a grin.
"Ach, I was goin' to say tedious," he said, earning a laugh from her.
That's a sound sweeter than I expected.
"Perhaps the two of us can go for a promenade then," she said after a moment.
"A promenade?" he repeated, the word feeling foreign in his mouth.
"Yes," Anna replied, her face lighting up at the prospect. "We'll go for a walk in the park. It's a bit like a social activity. We'll greet those that we see with a nod and engage in polite conversation."
Hugh looked at her skeptically. That wasn't what he'd had in mind when he suggested stretching his legs. He'd had nearly enough of the English and their social conventions. This venture would require him to keep taking part in a dance whose steps he did not know.
"I daenae understand the appeal," he said after a moment. "Is it nae a walk?"
"Yes, itisa walk," she sighed. "But there's a specific path that we are to take. It's… it's meant to show off the dress that I'm wearing and the way that you're dressed. And… we can be seen as a couple."
"It's important to ye," he nodded.
"I suppose it is," Anna admitted, her eyes darting to the side. "I've never had someone to accompany me that wasn't my father. I guess that I'd like to experience it once before I leave."
Ach, I daenae have a single desire to do this, but look at her. She seems so excited to go on this promenade. I suppose I'll be takin' her to Scotland much before she'd like to go. Perhaps this is the least I can do for her.
"I suppose I can indulge ye," Hugh said, gesturing for her to lead the way out of the room. "But ye will have to instruct me in the proper etiquette for these things. I cannae say I'm at all familiar with the practice."
