“How much do you know about the Stewart?” Graham asked.
“I’ve seen him rarely. I learned much about him through my cousin’s praise. The first day I met him was on the day they wed, and I was struck then by his charm. During his extended stay in London, I do believe he was favoured by my uncle.”
“A lamb among lions, I imagine he was charming. His extended stay, as you put it, was a political imprisonment that went on for eighteen years. The Stewart was schooled in your ways, and our parliament paid a handsome price to see to his return. But what no one expected was that when he was freed to claim his throne, he would bring a Sassenach wife with him and your laws to centralize power. Most of the chiefs of the Highland clans have opposed him at one time or another. He is not welcome here, Lady Annabella.”
“I do not fear him,” she said.
“I am glad to hear it, but you still need to be very careful. No one can know why you are curious about this information.”
“You do realize he will question me.”
“Aye, I do,” MacDonald said.
“And what will you tell him?”
“Everything.”
“Including why you want to know where my father is?”
“I believe I may leave that part out. If he sees me as being cooperative, he will less likely suspect that I am seeking additional information to aid you.”
MacDonald leaned back. “And what then?”
“Then?” Annabella had not thought about what came after. She did not know if she could stay with her cousin after all of this.
“I suppose once I am convinced my cousin is safe, I will return to London.”
MacDonald stared hard at her for long moments. He then nodded, pushed his chair back, and left the hall. At the door, he called over his shoulder, “Graham, ensure she is brought back to her chamber as soon as she is finished her meal. We leave on the morrow.” He then left and slammed the door.
What had she done to upset him so?
* * *
His tankard was nearly empty. Angus downed it and reached for the pitcher of ale to fill it again. As he stared into the fire, he reminded himself that this was all his doing. He almost wished he has never laid eyes on Lady Annabella Beaufort.
Damned woman had gotten under his skin. And how his flesh burned as he thought about her. He was desperate for release and no way to find it, at least not from the source in which he was most interested. Sure, he could bed any number of women on the island, but none of them would be Annabella, and the satisfaction would be sour and fleeting.
Angus stood and slammed his tankard on the table. A moment later, a knock sounded at his door. It was late, and he had left orders for no one to disturb him.
“Enter.”
His surprise quickly turned to shock when Annabella opened the door, followed by Graham.
“She asked me to take her to you,” he said. “Shall I wait outside?”
Angus was surprised that Graham had not offered any cheek in that statement.
Clearly, something troubled both of them. “You may leave her with me,” Angus said.
“No, you may stay,” she said.
Graham put his hands up and backed toward the door. “Actually, I will make this easy for both of you, and leave.” He closed the door quietly behind him.
Angus watched as Annabella wrung her hands and gazed about the room. Was she looking for an escape?
“Why did you ask Graham to bring you here?”
“I needed to be sure you are in agreement with our arrangement. You appeared vexed when you left, and I wanted to be sure our deal was sound.”
