The mortification of being presented to the people of Finlaggan whilst bound warred with her need to be away from him. In the end, she conceded and offered her clasped hands. She had no reason to care what these people thought of her. She would not be here long enough for their opinion to matter.
He tied her hands together and then guided her, still on horseback, across the bailey. Her back was straight and she kept her eyes focused forward while he spoke with the men along the way who were training. From the corner of her eye, she noted how all of them stopped as he approached, and placed their fists over their hearts.
There was no doubt this man was well respected among these people. Could she dare hope he would ensure no cruelty came to her here?
As they approached the keep, a young stable boy ran up to Angus and accepted the reins. Angus reached for Annabella’s waist; unfortunately, her bound hands made it harder for her to dismount, and so she needed his help.
Once she was on the ground, Angus took the rope and led her forward. She told herself that she would only have to endure this humiliation for a little while longer.
King James would find her and rescue her from these brutes. And then he would make them pay.
Annabella took in as much as she could of the inside of the keep while MacDonald spoke to an older female servant and an older man, then led her up a winding staircase.
Colourful tapestries lined the stone walls, and there was a surprising amount of light coming in from windows high above them. She would have liked the opportunity to explore, for the castle gave off a warm, welcoming feeling.
The climb was long, and she was winded by the time they reached the top floor and the chamber she was to call home for the time being. A large hearth and two sets of shuttered windows were the only things breaking up the round stone walls. There was no chair, bed, table, or any other furnishing. Did that mean she would have to sleep on the floor? Would they at least light a fire for her?
MacDonald turned towards her with a frown. “I trust you can manage to entertain yourself while I meet with my council?”
Annabella did not know what to say. There was nothing in the chamber with which to entertain herself, or feed herself, or even relieve herself. She opened her mouth and closed it again. What could she say? She was in no position to bargain for any comfort. She raised her clasped hands toward him.
“Will you remove these before you go?”
His gaze flicked down to her hands and his eyes grew wide. Had he forgotten her bindings?
“Aye, I will remove them. Once the door is locked, you will have no means of escape.”
His fingers brushed across her skin as he untied the rope. He let it fall to the floor and then rubbed the red spots that had formed on her wrists. She tilted her head to look into his eyes, and was surprised to find concern in his gaze.
“Lady Annabella, I—”
Before he could finish whatever it was he had wanted to say, a knock sounded at the door and it then swung wide, revealing several men with a bed, mattress, table, and chairs. Behind them, maids entered with linens, firewood, a pot of something steaming, a tankard, and a trencher piled high with bread. Annabella’s jaw dropped. She looked up at Angus and could not hide her surprise.
“You thought I would leave you here with nothing?” He sounded wounded as he dropped her hands and turned towards the men who were assembling the bed. He shook his head as he moved to leave. When he was almost over the threshold, he looked back to her. “Osla will bring you below later for a bath. I cannot imagine you would expect anyone to lug hot water all the way up here for your luxury.”
With that, he left and slammed the door. Annabella was at a loss. He was angry with her, but she had no idea why. She had not been able to loosen her tongue to thank him for his kindness before he had stormed out.
“Now, lass, come sit. You look like you need some meat on those bones of yours,” said the woman MacDonald had spoken with below stairs.
“Thank you. What is your name?”
“I am Osla, and I look after his lordship and the castle. Angus asked me to make sure you are well taken care of, and I intend to do just that. I do not know who you are, or why he has you put up here instead of in one of the laird’s private chambers, but I suppose it is not my place to question.”
Annabella smiled. She immediately liked this woman and could see why MacDonald trusted her. Osla knew her place, and understood that she would only be told about Annabella if MacDonald wanted her to know. Annabella also understood enough about servants to realize how rumours ran wild when there was room for speculation. She did not care if MacDonald wanted to tell the servants himself; she had nothing to hide.
“My name is Lady Annabella Beaufort, and I am MacDonald’s prisoner, Osla. I am the cousin to your queen, and he imagines that he will trade me for his father. So you see, I am a pawn in the plots and schemes of men. I thank you for your kindness, and will not make any trouble for you. Whatever is in that pot smells delicious, and I would take my meal now if you will answer some questions for me.”
Osla’s eyes were wide and her jaw went slack. Had her lord never taken a prisoner before? By the way MacDonald had painted it, they had been warring for years, so surely there were prisoners to be kept in the past.
“My lady, I do not know what to say. I will answer any questions that I can.”
Osla seemed guarded all of a sudden. Annabella could imagine that the woman would be fiercely loyal to her lord, but she needed to know about this man and the land to which he had brought her. There appeared to be a closeness between all of these people, and Annabella could not reconcile the stories she had heard and the small portion of this place she had viewed thus far.
“I am sure you are busy, Osla, so I will not keep you. I only want to know how long you have worked for the MacDonald and if you are happy here.”
“I have worked for his lordship and his father all of my life. I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this family, and cannot imagine a gentler or kinder man to succeed his father as Lord of the Isles.”
MacDonald had said that before, but it had not registered at the time. “Who is the Lord of the Isles?”
