"You did find my impression of Charlotte's expression quite humorous, didn't you?"
"Aye," he said, slowing their steps as if to savor each moment they spent together. "Ye're quite talented at impressions. I would have thought ye took her face and put it upon yers."
"Then I'll do my very best to memorize the way others react to you," she said, an air of playful teasing in her tone. "We'll meet afterward, and I'll tell you everyone's name along with the face they made when they saw you."
"I'm lookin' forward to it," Hugh said as they turned down the main hallway. "And ye daenae have to worry. I'm nae goin' to run from some prim and proper engagement party. I will be there with ye the entire time. I'm yer husband to be. I willnae leave ye to deal with a party on yer own."
Anna swallowed hard, blinking away the excess emotion threatening to spill from her eyes. When she'd come up with the scheme that sparked Hugh coming to England and proposing, she hadn't dreamed that it would lead to someone truly choosing her. She'd hoped only to win some friends; now she was to be Lady McDonald, to be married to a man who defended her and complimented her.
"Thank you," she said quietly as they continued to approach the ballroom. Music was filtering in now, getting louder with each step they took toward the party. "I am proud that I'll be Lady McDonald."
"As am I," Hugh said, as they got closer. "Now, let's attend this engagement party. I want all of these Englishmen and women to see me smart and beautiful bride."
CHAPTER TEN
From the way that Anna had spoken about her failings socially, Hugh hadn't expected there to be many people in attendance. Clearly, he underestimated the English desire to keep up appearances and stick their noses in the business of others. He'd been here for nearly an hour and had done nothing but greet attendees and learn the names of people he wouldn't see again.
"Ye didnae tell me that the entirety of yer country would be in attendance," he said to Anna out of the corner of his mouth. "I didnae think this many people lived here."
Anna giggled, stars in her eyes as she watched the dancefloor. "It has been nearly half a year since there was a wedding," she murmured. "Our engagement has brought out nearly everyone. I wasn't expecting it, but… It's nice to be the host of such a successful party. It's something that I never thought possible for me."
"Ye must be more confident in yerself," he grunted, eying a couple that looked as if they were considering approaching the two of them. "Perhaps the English daenae see yer beauty and wit, but the Scottish will. Ye willnae even have to try."
"That's very kind of you," she said, blushing the same color as her light pink engagement gown. The hue of her cheeks made the gold accents pop. "But I suppose that's very hard to believe. I'll do my best, though."
He made a sound of agreement, feeling a bubble of rage threatening to rise up in him. The anger wasn't directed at her; it would never be directed at her. No, it was disdain for all of the people that made her feel this way. It only made his desire to get her back to the castle stronger.
There'll be hell to pay when I return, for leavin' and doin' as I pleased without informin' me council, but they willnae turn any of that on Anna. They'll see her for the wonderful thing that she is.
"I think that we've greeted nearly everyone," she said after a moment, completely unaware of the storm in his head. "I do believe that we may dance now if we'd like to."
"I'm nae much of a dancer," Hugh said with a frown, watching the pairs that circled the dancefloor. "And I cannae say I'm familiar with the step that they're doin'. We've got different customs up north."
"We're the guests of honor," she said, nonplussed by his initial dismissal. "They'll make room for us, regardless of what kinds of dances you know. I can't say that I'm not eager to learn something new."
He grunted, disliking the idea of dancing in front of these people. Beside him, Anna stayed quiet, the expectation rolling off of her in waves. When he finally looked away from the dancefloor to her, he saw the way her face was slowly falling.
Ach, that expression is because of me. I cannae have that, nae when the lass was so excited about this damn party.
"Dancin' with me is important to ye, aye?" he asked after a beat.
"I… wouldn't say it's important," she murmured, though he could tell that she was downplaying her emotions. "I was simply looking forward to it. I will not make you dance if you don't wish to."
Scrubbing a hand over his face, Hugh realized what had to be done. He extended his arm to her, his palm facing upward. As she looked between it and his face, he said, "I'm only promisin' ye one dance, aye? I may nae enjoy this kind of festivity, but if me bride likes it, it is me duty to indulge."
Anna still eyed his hand suspiciously. The ghosts of the teasing she'd endured before he came into her life swam across her face. It made his stomach twist, and the disdain for those around him grew.
"Anna," he said, keeping his voice measured and inviting. "I would be honored if ye allowed me to lead ye on the dancefloor."
The words had their desired effect. Her entire being lit up, brighter than all the candles in the room, nearly brighter than the sun. She slipped her hand into his, grinning when his other found its place on her hip.
"Do yer best to keep up," Hugh told her, leaning in close to whisper in her ear. "I'll warn ye that we move a bit faster in the Highlands."
"I'm a fast study," she replied, her smile infectious. "I'll do my best to keep from stepping on your feet."
As Hugh moved them through an upbeat dance that he'd learned at his mother's behest, Anna responded as though she were reading his mind. Her body was more graceful than it looked, and she didn't miss a single step. True to her word, she was an excellent dance partner.
"Ye ken, I'd think ye already kent this dance by the way ye're movin'," he said, taking her in a quick, tight circle around several pairs on the floor. "I daenae need to do more than think of the direction I'd like ye to move and ye go."
