Angus looked over at Graham, whose smirk was as big as he had ever seen. “You enjoy yourself, but you are in this as much as I am, and as my captain, you are as responsible as I am.”
Graham crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not see it that way, my lord. If I recall correctly, I urged—nay, begged—you to leave the lass where she was. The way I see it, you are on your own in this mess.”
Angus could not disagree. But what choice had he had? This business with the Stewart had been going on for years, and while his father had brought on a certain amount of his own trouble, the reality was that Alexander MacDonald was his father and Angus was honour-bound to return him to his rightful place at Finlaggan Castle.
“She will remain under lock and key for the remainder of her stay with us. No one is to approach her. I will keep her in the tower room, and she will be under guard day and night. Is that clear?”
“Very clear, Angus. But I have one question.”
“Aye, and what is that?”
“What will Rhona say when she sees the lovely Lady Annabella? That lass has been after you for many months now. She may not have taken the hint from you that you do not want her. And allowing her to work in the castle, I am sure, did not help. I know you did it as a favour to her father, but I am sure she does not see it that way.”
“Your point?”
“My point is that you must be careful which of the maids you send to attend to her. I would not wish Lady Annabella to bear the brunt of Rhona’s broken heart.”
“As usual, Graham, you talk nonsense. Rhona knows her place, and I cannot imagine would interfere with a prisoner of mine.”
“If you say so,” Graham said, and walked toward the quarter deck to secure the rigging. “But do not say I did not warn you,” he added over his shoulder.
Angus gritted his teeth. It was too late for regrets now. Annabella Beaufort was his prisoner and, whether any of them liked it or not, she would remain that way until his father was returned to Islay. He would keep her forever if need be. His pulse picked up at the thought of her living at Finlaggan. His mind flooded with a vision of her wavy brown locks floating about her whilst strolling the fields around the castle.
She had captivated him, and he was at a loss as to what to do about her. What would he do once she was returned to Linlithgow? Angus shook his head. He needed to push thoughts of her from his mind and focus on the task at hand.
A few hours later, just as the wind picked up from the approaching storm, Angus and his men dropped anchor and secured the ship, then rowed ashore. They dragged the boat up and onto the beach before he assisted Annabella. As he lifted her onto one of the waiting horses, he noted that she had not spoken to him since their earlier argument. He did not really know what to say; perhaps it was best nothing was said. He had no alternative but to ensure she did not escape, and if she did not like his measures to secure her, then she would have to deal with that on her own.
Angus mounted behind her, and grinned when she tried to shuffle away from him.
“The boat is secure, Angus,” Graham said, riding up next to him. “We need to get moving so we can stay ahead of this storm.”
“Aye, that we do. Tell the men to find a bed here in Port Askaig, and we will send horses back for them tomorrow, after the storm has passed. I will ride on ahead. You catch up as you can.”
Graham was an excellent horseman and, since Angus’s horse carried two, the distance between them would be short-lived.
Angus kicked in his heels and set his horse off into a gallop. Annabella’s back was stiff as they ascended the hills leading west to Finlaggan. He was becoming concerned that she would do real harm to herself if she did not relax.
“You must let your back loosen, Lady Annabella.”
Annabella tossed her hair over her shoulder and glared up at him. “Do not tell me you suddenly care for my wellbeing, MacDonald. I refuse to believe it.”
Angus gripped the reins tighter and leaned down. With his mouth very close to her ear, he said, “Oh, I do not care, but you and I have at least two hours’ ride before we arrive at Finlaggan, and if you keep sitting like you are impersonating a tree, we will both be stiff and sore tomorrow. I have too many responsibilities to be laid up. You have the luxury of laying abed all day.”
Another scowl. She really was becoming predictable.
“I have never lain in bed a day in my life. I am never sick, and it is proper for a lady to sit up straight. If you do not like it, I suggest you return me to where I belong and be done with me.”
Angus chuckled. “So you would prefer another two-day trip to be rid of me forever than continue on for two more hours and gain respite? Do you really despise me that much, Lady Annabella?”
“I despise everything about this situation. I regret not fighting harder against you yesterday. Perhaps I should have flung myself from this horse, or jumped ship— anything to be away from you. I have never been so ill-treated in my life!”
“Oh, Lady Princess, how have I mistreated you this time?”
“You continue to ask me that, and I keep telling you all the ways. Do not think me out of my wits enough to repeat myself for your amusement.”
“Excellent, well then perhaps we can ride the rest of the way in silence? I am weary from the journey, and your whining makes my head hurt.”
“My whining! Oh, you insufferable—”
