Annabella turned just as the ship cut into a breaking wave. Six men pulled the oars on either side of the ship, and chanted ‘heave’ and ‘ho’ in a rhythm to keep them all rowing at the same pace. They must surely possess extraordinary strength in order to manoeuvre a ship of this size through the swell.
At the stern, Angus gripped the rudder and steered them out into open water.
She stumbled to the side, hitting her hip hard on the rail. She buckled over in pain for a moment, and when she stood again a wave splashed over the side, hitting her square in the face and knocking her to the deck on her behind. She spat out salt water and gazed at her soaked gown. The brocade was heavy enough on its own, but with the added weight, she was not certain she could stand without assistance— or without getting onto her knees and sticking her bottom in the air.
Clearly, Graham’s advice and Angus’s request had been sound, but it vexed her to admit it. Before she had a chance to decide how to get out of her current predicament, the ship cut into another wave and she lost her balance and again slammed into the ship’s side. With the wind knocked out of her this time, she slipped her arms around the rail and slowly got herself to her knees just as two large arms wrapped around her middle and lifted her up.
“Do you never listen to what you are told?” His voice held such concern that she was struck by his sincerity, even in her weakened state.
Angus lifted her in his arms, made his way to the stern, and plopped her onto a bench beside the rudder.
He did not speak a word, which made her feel worse than if he had ranted and raved at her for her stubbornness. She was more than a little mortified at the danger her actions may have caused. She slipped her arm around a post and held on tight.
Her eyes went wide as Angus removed his belt while staring at her. Did he mean to beat her? Her heart thudded hard in her chest and her throat went dry. Surely he would not dare.
Angus stepped toward her and she shook her head. “I will not let you do this,” she said through chattering teeth.
His brow furrowed, and then he glanced from the belt to her and back again. His jaw clenched.
Annabella squeezed her eyes tight. Oh God, how she had misjudged him! He had waited until she was at her most vulnerable at sea, with nowhere to run, before he chose to show his cruel side.
His hands touched her waist and she jumped.
“Hold still,” he said, as he slipped something behind her.
Annabella opened her eyes to view him securing her to a post with a belt—his belt. No longer struggling, she realized what he had done and looked up to gauge his expression. Securing her like this would very likely save her from being tossed over the side of the ship. She tried to offer a smile, but her face was too cold and she was not sure if it moved at all.
“Do you realize how much danger you were in just then?”
Annabella’s cheeks burned. She was not a child who needed scolding, and while her actions had displayed her stubborn side, she had not intended to put herself or anyone else in harm’s way. The boat rocked again and she held on tighter.
The wind tugged at her hair and the spray covered her face. His hair had curled in the dampness, and she fought the urge to reach up and push loose strands out of his eyes. He did not seem to notice.
“Clearly, sir, I am not accustomed to sailing and if this is such a dangerous journey, why do we make it? Why did you not offer me the security of this position from the beginning? Why did Graham leave me on the deck when I refused to join you at the stern?”
From over Angus’s shoulder, Graham leaned away from them while still holding the rudder.
Angus’s jaw dropped. He leaned in closer, his brow furrowing and his teeth clenched. “Let me make this abundantly clear for you, as you seem to be missing a very important point about your stay with me. You are not my guest, and you do not get to make demands or question my decisions. I hold you until your king releases my father, and then—and only then—will I let you go back to your lavish palace and your arrogant Sassenach ways. I will not put any of my clansmen in danger in order for you to satisfy some spoiled, stubborn streak. It is obvious to me now that you have been awarded too much freedom since I took you. That will change.”
“Freedom? How can you say that when I have none! You have taken me away from my family, and have been ordering me around ever since. You try to seduce me, you nearly break my neck on the horse, and now you are trying to drown me! You should have left me with my cousin.”
Angus pointed his finger at her nose. “You speak the truth. I should have left you there. But it is too late for that now. I am stuck with you.” He turned back toward the rudder. From over his shoulder, he said, “You will stay there for the remainder of this journey. When we reach Finlaggan Castle, I will bind your hands and present you as a prisoner. You will be kept in the tower room, and there you will remain until the exchange.”
With that, he showed her his back and did not address her again for the remainder of the voyage. Annabella stared after him for long moments until the lurching ship forced her to find some position that might offer a little stability.
Dammed man! If only a wave would carry him off and save her from the frustration that was Angus MacDonald.
* * *
Standing beside Graham, and far enough away from Annabella for her not to hear, he said, “Do not start with me.”
Graham placed his hand on his heart. “You wound me, my lord. I have not said a word.”
“You do not need to,” Angus said in a low voice. “I see the mirth in your eyes and know the words you wish to say. And you are right. Taking the lass was a mistake. She is more trouble than she is worth.”
The wind was at their backs and, though there was a heavy swell, they would certainly make good time to Islay today. Dark clouds sat just over the horizon to the west, but they were in no danger from the coming storm.
“Could you repeat that?”
