Anna grinned as she got herself ready. She found it odd that Emelia hadn't come to help, but she didn't think that anything could sour her mood. Hugh said he loved her and promised that he meant it.
His admission less than an hour ago had helped her process some of her own feelings. She realized now that her desire to be by his side was deeper than just believing he would keep her safe.
No, Anna wanted to be near her husband because she had grown to love him. Beneath the gruff exterior, there was a man who respected her and cared about his people. He'd even made it explicitly clear that the parts of her that she was most insecure about were the parts that he liked the most.
As she pulled her hair out of her face, she dwelled on how well she'd slept when she was securely in his arms. His warmth, while disorienting to wake up to, had lulled her into a deep, dreamlesssleep. If anyone were to ask, she'd tell them that she'd never been more rested in her life.
Though I wish Callum would stop sticking his nose where it doesn't belong.
The frustration she felt was brand new. While she'd fancied men before, she'd never had such a carnal desire to get close to them. With Hugh, things were so different, and she desperately wanted to explore the complexities that their relationship held.
They would have the chance one day, though. She was sure of it. For now, it seemed as though she would just have to wait for whatever was happening in the castle to settle.
Anna was nearly finished with her hair when she heard a timid knock on her door. It came again, more urgently, just as she crossed her chambers. Whatever it was, it had to be important.
"Emelia. I was wondering when I'd see you this morning," Anna said, grinning briefly. Then, she took in her maid's appearance, the tension in her shoulders, and the concern in her gaze, and the expression faltered. "Is everything all right?"
"Aye, everythin's wonderful," Emelia said, doing her best to give Anna a tight smile. "And I do apologize for nae bein' here earlier. I was assistin' some of the staff. I've come to fetch ye. Ye have a visitor."
Something about the way she said it made Anna's pulse kick. There wasn't a single person she could think of who would arrive to see her unannounced. She knew that this meeting wasn't friendly without anyone needing to tell her.
"Of course," Anna said when she regained her voice. "I'm nearly ready for the day. I just need to finish tying my hair with a ribbon."
"I'll help ye, me Lady," Emelia said easily, waiting for Anna to step back and allow her into the room. "I could also tighten yer corset. I ken it's quite difficult to do on yer own."
"I'd appreciate that greatly," Anna said, allowing Emelia to get to work.
The maid did her job efficiently, which Anna normally admired. Now, she wished that Emelia were a bit less effective. With each tightened centimeter of her corset and each strand of hair that was gently pulled behind her head, she was pushed one step closer to finding out who her visitor was.
When Emelia finished preparing Anna, she led her out into the corridor. As they walked, Anna considered asking who was waiting for her, but fear stopped her. She knew that knowing who wanted to speak with her would only make her nerves worse.
"I will accompany ye, me Lady," Emelia promised when they paused outside of a room Anna had yet to be inside. She lowered her voice, glancing around the hallway and ensuring that theywere alone. "If ye need me to create a reason that ye cannae continue the visit, make a fist and let it fall next to yer leg, aye?"
Anna's chest warmed at the offer. Either she wasn't hiding her anxieties as well as she believed she was or Emelia had picked up on her hesitancy. Surely, this went beyond the standard scope of a maid's duties, but still, her maid was determined to keep her comfortable.
"I believe I'll be quite all right," Anna said, feeling a bit lighter knowing that she would have a way out of this situation if it became too much. "But it's because I know you'll be there with me."
Emelia nodded and opened the door to let Anna pass. As Anna stepped into the comfortably furnished room, she realized she recognized the man sitting in the plush armchair—and he didn't look as though he was there for a social visit.
Edward, the village head, stood when Anna entered, giving her a terse smile as she crossed the room. He didn't resume his position until she settled. "It's nice to see ye again, Lady McDonald. Though I wish it were on better terms."
"It's nice to see you again as well," Anna said, keeping her voice as even as she could. "I must apologize, though. I'm not sure I understand the terms you're speaking of."
"It would be best if ye didnae," he said, his hands resting on the arms of his chair. "But I'm doin' me due diligence. Therehave been some… interestin' rumors bein' circulated amongst the villagers."
Anna's heart thudded. She felt guilty despite the fact that she hadn't done a thing. It was reminiscent of all the times she'd overheard whispers about her appearance, yet this time it cut deeper.
"And what might these rumors be?" she asked, speaking slowly so as to keep herself from tripping over the words. "Perhaps I may be able to clear them up for you."
"That's what I was hopin' for," he said with a slight nod of his head. "Me people are dissatisfied with the financial situation that the clan has found itself in. It's bein' said that ye're the one spendin' all the money and that ye lied about the size of yer dowry."
Anna took a deep, stuttering breath as she tried to process that. The only expenses that she'd accrued since coming to Castle McDonald was the coin Hugh had exchanged for her wardrobe. She wasn't interested in jewels or riches. And she knew for a fact that she hadn't lied about the size of her dowry.
"I'm sure that Laird McDonald could pull documentation on my dowry," she said, addressing the most easily proven fact first. "He and my father entered a contract, and Hugh brought it with him. I'm unsure of how much you've been told my dowry was, but I assure you that the amount was never concealed."
"Then I will have to schedule a meetin' with the Laird," the village head said. "It's best if I clear up the confusion for the villagers. Unrest is nae good for any of us."
"Yes, I agree."
