"Aye, I'd imagine so," Callum replied. "If she's who she says she is. I daenae ken if we can trust anythin' about her, though."
"Somethin' about this feels too genuine. I daenae believe she's lyin'." Hugh folded the missive, tucking it away. "What if I find this girl and marry her? We could use the dowry to fix up the castle. Are we nae hurtin' for funds?"
"Find her?" Callum's eyebrow raised. "Was there nae a return address?"
"Nay," Hugh said. "But she signed with her full name. It wouldnae be difficult to find her family's estate."
Callum ground his jaw. "Ye will do nay such thing, me Laird. Ye will ignore this letter and the woman who sent it. If ye must be wed, the council will find ye a suitable bride."
"Ye always seem to forget that ye merely advise me," Hugh said with authority. The plan he was nursing could fix the financial issues this land faced. "When all is said and done, me decisions are me own. I have heard what ye have to say, but I am nae convinced that ye are right."
Something dark flashed across Callum's features. Then, he said, "Ye've certainly become more confident in yer position. But beware of gettin' too comfortable. The title of Laird doesnae mean ye get to do what ye want whenever ye please. Ye have people relyin' on you."
"I am aware," Hugh said. "And that's somethin' I daenae take lightly. They are the reason I suggested the weddin'. We need money. Her dowry could provide that."
"Remember what was said about yer image?" Callum said after a long moment. "Consider how it would look if ye went off and married a woman that yer council did nae approve of. This is about more than money. It is about keepin' Clan McDonald's people safe and their reputation sound."
"Ye need to watch yer tongue," Hugh grunted, the noise a sharp dismissal. He didn't need to hear anything else from Callum. While he understood the man's reasoning, he couldn't help but think that something different had to be done.
When his advisor left, Hugh followed him out. He strode to his study, weary of the constant interruptions. Once inside, he shut the door and paced the stone floor. It was worn smooth, likely untouched since the castle was built. He could trace the paths of the previous lairds, a darkening of the stone where they had paced before him.
The problems with fundin' have been goin' on for longer than they're tellin' me. Whatever they've been doin', it's nae workin'. They may nae approve of me weddin' the daughter of Lord Windham, but they havenae offered a solution to ensure I can take care of me people.
He took a mental inventory of his duties over the next month. His presence was not strictly necessary. If he spent the next few days getting his affairs in order, delegating to his men, he'd have the time necessary to ride into England and procure his bride.
Callum willnae be happy, but he was right about one thing. Me job is keepin' the people of Clan McDonald safe. I cannae do that if me castle is fallin' apart.
It was the first time Hugh had gone directly against his council's orders, but he could not find it in him to care. He hadn't gone in front of them to propose the idea; it had only been Callum suggesting he stand down. So long as Hugh left without alertinganyone else of his plans, the council would have a tough time proving that he defied them directly.
And God help them if they think anyone can keep me from me wife.
CHAPTER FOUR
"You're in good spirits," Anna's father said as their carriage carried them toward the night's ball.
"I am," Anna replied, smoothing her dress. "Martha's been speaking highly of the violinist her father hired."
She felt her father's eyes on her. After a moment of silence only punctuated by the sound of the wooden wheels, he said, "I'm quite proud of you, my dear."
"You're proud?" She racked her mind, unsure of what she'd done to earn the praise. "But why?"
"Of course I'm proud," he murmured, just loud enough to be heard over the road. "In the past two months, you have found a confidence that I thought you had lost after your childhood. I hear about a new friend every week. You have social calls. It won't be long now before you've got suitors banging down our door."
"Thank you, Papa," she said, her heart pounding in her ears. "Though perhaps I'm not as hopeful about the last part as you."
Would he be proud of me if he knew the reason? None of these women spoke to me until Charlotte spread the rumor about my engagement.
In response, he reached forward and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. As he released her, the carriage came to a stop. Then, a footman opened the door, helping Anna to the cobbled pavement below.
This ball was far more enjoyable than the previous one she had attended. Instead of being given a wide berth or teased, she was engaged with polite questions. For once, she wasn't just there to listen to the music; she was now part of the delicate social structure that these events created and reinforced.
It is quite nice no longer being an outsider.
Time seemed to rush past her. The evening dissolved into a blur of music and friendly faces. She had so many conversations with so many people that she began to forget the subjects. Contentment, happiness, those were the feelings at the forefront of her mind; everything else was simply tiny, unimportant details.
When the evening began to come to a close, her father found her. There was a strange tick to his jaw, as though he were holding something back. She began to question him, but he cut her offwith a sharp shake of his head before any words could leave her mouth.
Anna's stomach dropped, dread pushing out the positive feelings that engulfed her just a few moments earlier. Something was wrong,verywrong. She hadn't seen her father this tense in a long time. Truthfully, she was quite sure she'd never seen him this way.
