"I'd appreciate that," she said, smiling up at him once more. "I know they're gorgeous. The chambers that I chose overlook the gardens."
Hugh's expression hardened slightly as he processed her words. Then, as if picking each word carefully, he stated, "Ye chose yer chambers."
"I did," she said, tilting her head in an attempt to puzzle together the reason for the tightening of his jaw and his detached manner of speaking. "In fact, I chose the room next door to yours."
"Ye didnae have to do that," he said curtly. It didn't sound as though he were upset, though. If she had to guess, there was a layered sort of guilt there, something he'd never outright say. "Ye could have picked whichever ye wanted."
"That's what I did," she assured him, putting her fork down slowly. "Eilidh told me to pick my favorite. It wasn't until after I chose that she told me where your chambers were. I simply liked this one best. The light was… nice."
That seemed to calm the underlying tension in her husband. His shoulders relaxed slightly as he said, "Aye, yer room and mine both get plenty of light durin' the day. They're the warmest places durin' the winter."
"So I made the right choice," she said with a grin. "Truthfully, I only wanted to be able to look out over the gardens. I hadn't considered the temperature."
Hugh huffed as he said, "Ye should consider it. It seems ye're nae prepared for the cold."
"I suppose I'm not," she conceded, his cloak around her shoulders feeling heavier. "I didn't venture out of the manor much during the winter season. I preferred to sit near the fire and dream of the summer."
"Ye can do that here," he laughed, finishing the last of his meal. "But ye'll still be cold. The stones arenae forgivin'."
"There's a carpet on the floor of my chambers," she said, cherishing the sound of his laughter, the way it coiled deep within her, warming her more than any hearth ever had. "Surely that will help."
"Only a bit," he said. "But I'll get ye warmer gowns and cloaks. We need ye to make it through the winter so ye can see the flowers bloomin' in the spring."
Anna felt her entire body brighten at the suggestion. "You're right," she said solemnly as she finished her meal with renewed energy. "I'd be incredibly disappointed if the cold took me before I was able to see that."
He looked at their empty platters, and for a moment, Anna thought their time together had come to an end. Instead, he put on his mask of seriousness and said, "Before ye go, perhaps we should discuss what yer duties will be."
She froze, staring at him wide-eyed.
Is this where he shows me his true self?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"My… duties?" Anna said, a tinge of fear coloring her tone as she gripped the arms of her chair.
"Aye," Hugh replied, trying to keep his voice soft so as to refrain from scaring her further. He didn't want her to feel as though she were a prisoner, but she was to fill a role in the clan. "Perhaps it may be easier to look at them as rules rather than duties. Though they're the same either way."
"And what are those duties?" she asked after a long moment. "It will be for the good of the clan, will it not?"
"Aye. And all I ask of ye is that ye do yer best," Hugh said. "I daenae think ye're goin' to step in and ken everythin'. Me people,ourpeople, they're patient. And I think they like ye already."
She absorbed that, nodding slowly at the reassurance. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, and Hugh shifted closer in his seat. She hadn't shut him out, nor did she raise a fuss.
"The first rule, or duty, whichever ye prefer, is that ye must handle the affairs of the people," he said, watching to gauge her reaction to the assignment. "I have other duties that I must attend to. Ye will handle arguments, celebrations, and anythin' in between."
The soft smile returned to her face. When she met his eyes, she said, "I believe I can do that."
"Good," he praised. "Ye will get to ken everyone quite well. I think ye will enjoy that part of yer duties."
"I believe I will as well," she said, excitement flashing in her bright green irises. "Though I don't have much experience with people. It may take time."
"Ye will get there," Hugh assured her. "Best ye daenae stress yerself too much. If ye need assistance, me maither will be more than happy to guide ye."
It was clear that Anna hadn't had many friends in her life. Hugh knew that once she had time to adjust, she'd be excellent in the role, though. She was kind and understanding. Once she realized she was capable of fulfilling the role, he knew she'd do it well.
"That's a relief," Anna breathed. "And what else will I need to do?"
"Ye will also be in charge of handlin' the household," Hugh continued. "Ye'll work with the cooks and the maids. Ye'll assignchambers to our guests, and ye'll plan menus for the celebrations that will be held in the castle."
