"Marcus," Eilidh said, sounding even more offended than Hugh felt. "What do ye mean ye didnae help her?"
"It's nae like she asked for me help," Marcus said, raising an eyebrow as he looked impassively between Eilidh and Hugh. "Why would I go out of me way?"
"She's yer family now," Eilidh cried, throwing her hands in the air. "Ye cannae treat her like an outsider."
"Sheisan outsider," Marcus challenged.
Hugh felt as if he were seeing a brand-new side of his brother. He'd never known the man to be so vengeful, yet here he was, glowering at Hugh and their mother for insinuating that Anna was part of their family. Suddenly, what Callum said became more realistic.
Is Marcus truly vyin' for Lairdship?
"Why would ye say that?" Hugh said, keeping his tone measured. "I married her. It means she's nae an outsider any longer."
"Ach, funny that ye get to marry whoever ye please," Marcus practically spat. "Even if she's from England, she's welcomed into the family. But I cannae follow me own heart."
"Marcus," Eilidh said, stepping over to him and kneeling in front of his seat. "Ye must ken that we had our reasons for nae approvin' of Helena. I want ye to marry for love. Ye must understand that."
Marcus's face was a mask of indifference, though Hugh could see the flicker of emotion in his eyes. Marcus muttered, "Aye, but I am still unhappy. And angry." He looked at Hugh for a beat. "I willnae hide me displeasure."
"Fine," Hugh growled. "But that's an issue ye have with me, nae Anna. Ye sound just as bad as me council."
The accusation seemed to make Marcus sit up a little straighter. It was obvious he was biting his tongue. Regardless of his ownthoughts, being compared to those men was still unacceptable to him.
"What I need," Hugh continued, rubbing his hand against his jaw, "is to convince me council that Anna's a good lass."
"There's nae much of a chance of that," Marcus said. "We can try our best to convince them, but I daenae think their minds will be changed. Callum's especially."
"Aye, ye're right," Hugh said. "But I still need ye to try."
"I didnae say I wouldnae, did I?" Marcus challenged. "I may be unhappy with me own circumstances, but I willnae stoop to their level."
"Thank ye," Hugh replied, glancing at Eilidh, who nodded her agreement.
"But I do want nieces and nephews," Marcus added. "If ye're goin' to be married, the least ye can do is give me that."
"Ye're insufferable, Marcus," Eilidh said. "And ye ken ye daenae need to take out yer frustrations on yer brother."
Marcus stood then, seeming to ignore their mother's words. With a nod, he said, "I'll be on me way. I just wanted to make sure ye were alive, Hugh." Then, he fled, leaving the conversation feeling unfinished.
"It seems he's still upset with us about Helena," Eilidh said, setting her hand against Hugh's arm and squeezing once. "I'll go speak to him. Ye should eat."
Hugh watched her as she left, shaking his head. For a moment, he'd seriously thought that Callum had been telling the truth about Marcus's actions when he was away. That display… It didn't feel like the reaction of a laird.
Or he's become good at pretendin'.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Anna walked slowly from the great hall to her chambers. Yesterday, she'd been told she had duties as Lady McDonald, but she'd been unable to find anyone to ask precisely how she would go about fulfilling them. When she'd spotted Marcus, he had practically fled from her.
Even though she'd been instructed not to, it was hard not to take his behavior personally. Marcus didn't seem to shun anyone else. It was only when she was around that he would get cold and vacate rooms. Surely, there was something else she could do to win him over.
While she wanted desperately to integrate into the castle without friction, it felt as though she was just as out of place here as she was in England. It frustrated her that there wasn't a reason for her brother-in-law's behavior. Though if she thought about it a little more, it wasn't as if she'd done anything to warrant Hugh locking her out of his room.
She supposed that perhaps he was simply doing as Eilidh had warned her to do. It was the most reasonable explanation she'd come up with. It made more sense than him preemptively keeping her away. Still, she hadn't seen him this morning, so it was difficult not to believe he didn't regret it.
If she could see him, she was confident her worrying wouldn't be so intense. Her mind liked to play tricks on her. Believing what Hugh said about her was difficult, even though she knew he had no reason to lie to her or tease her.
"Anna!" Eilidh called, hurrying down the corridor toward her. "I was lookin' for ye! Ye're an early riser, aye?"
