"Enough, Marcus," Hugh said before Anna could fully process what Marcus was accusing her of. "I ken ye're unhappy with yer own arrangements, but I willnae allow ye to take them out on me wife. She's part of this family, and she's yer Lady. Ye will nae speak of her that way."
Instead of speaking, Marcus's jaw tightened. His face turned red, his hands curling into fists. For a long moment, Anna was sure he'd attack Hugh. But eventually, he stomped out of the room without looking at either of them again.
Hugh sighed when his brother was completely out of sight. "I was hopin' he wouldnae be difficult."
"That's hopin' for a miracle," Eilidh said, rubbing Anna's arm. "Ye're freezin', Anna."
"I didn't realize," she murmured, blinking a few times.
She'd been so focused on the interaction that she hadn't caught the way the chill seemed to dig into her bones. It was unlike the cold of England, and she imagined it had something to do with the stones that surrounded them. She was woefully unprepared for Scottish winters.
"Gettin' ye new clothes is the first thing I intend to do," Hugh said before calling to one of his servants standing nearby. "Will ye get me wife one of me cloaks to keep her warm?"
The servant acted immediately, and as he went to fulfill the request, Eilidh led Anna to a settee. "We'll take ye to yer chambers once ye're warmed up. I apologize for Marcus's behavior. It's nae personal."
"I didn't take offense," Anna assured her. She didn't feel the need to reveal that she was used to people being unkind to her. "Though I was worried that I offended him."
"Ye didnae," Hugh said, accepting the cloak from the servant when he returned and draping it over Anna's shoulders. "It has nothin' to do with ye and everythin' to do with himself."
Anna nodded, saving her questions about Marcus's behavior. Instead, she pulled the thick fabric tighter around her, a truly grateful smile fixing itself upon her mouth. "Thank you."
Silence settled over the parlor in the wake of Marcus's departure. Hugh stepped over to the fireplace, adding a few logs to the blaze within. It crackled, casting a warm, orange glow over the room. The ambient temperature increased slightly as the flames grew larger, but he still doubted it was enough to warm his wife.
When Hugh turned around, his shoulders hardened. They were no longer alone, nor would he have time to get Anna settled. Standing at the threshold was Callum. His eyes were focused on her, seemingly uncaring of Hugh and Eilidh's presence.
Ach, I was hopin' to avoid this conversation for a wee bit longer. He looks angrier than I anticipated. He gives me such a damn headache.
"Callum," Hugh said, breaking him out of his trance. "I was wonderin' when I'd find ye."
"Are the rumors true?" he asked, not bothering with greetings or politeness. His tone was still tempered, careful not to raise his voice enough to garner correction. "Did ye really run off and get yerself married?"
"Aye," Hugh confirmed, seeing no reason to deny the truth. It was far too late for his council to stop him. The only thing they could do was chastise him, which Hugh was sure they would, likely sooner rather than later. "This is Anna. The new Lady McDonald."
Callum narrowed his eyes, flicking them between Hugh and Anna. His disdain was palpable, though he seemed to remember his position before he spoke again. After a moment, he put on a mask of kindness and said, "Well, Anna… If ye're a part of this castle, I imagine ye'll be needin' a tour."
"That's kind of you," Anna said, the English politeness shining through. Hugh could tell she wasn't quite comfortable, though. "But Eilidh has already offered. I'll be going with her soon."
Callum's eyebrow twitched, a clear sign of his displeasure at being rejected. He didn't allow anything else to show. Instead, heturned to Hugh with a frown. "The council would like to speak to ye. Immediately."
"Aye, I imagine they do," Hugh sighed as he approached Callum. It was a bit sooner than he anticipated, but it was unavoidable. "They're gathered then?"
"Aye," Callum confirmed. "And perhaps we should bring yer wife. They'll be wantin' to meet her."
Aye, to question her. She's nae ready for that. She's still pale and shiverin' from the ride here.
"They will meet her soon," Hugh said, dismissing the idea. "She needs time to rest after the journey."
Callum opened his mouth to argue the point, but Hugh wouldn't allow it. He may have been gone for a bit, but that didn't mean he'd allow Callum to be disrespectful. The man was pushing his boundaries, and Hugh would play no longer.
"Maither," he said, ignoring his advisor's expression. "Perhaps ye can find Anna somethin' warm to wear, other than me cloak. We'll have the seamstress visit soon, but she'll need to borrow somethin' in the meantime."
Then, he stepped forward, moving past Callum decisively. Hugh was well aware of the way the conversation would likely go. His authority and loyalty would be questioned. The best thing he could do now was reassert his control. Callum's behavior, hisdemands, his frustration, all of it seemed to convey a disrespect for Hugh's position that couldn't be allowed. When Hugh was halfway down the corridor, he looked over his shoulder.
"Are ye comin', Callum?" he asked, his voice flat and controlled. "Didnae ye say that they wanted to meet immediately? Nay use in standin' around, aye?"
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Idaenae ken how many times I have to tell ye," Hugh said, his unimpressed gaze sweeping over his council. "I already married Anna, so the deed is done."
