He turned back toward the window and gazed out over Finlaggan Loch. For generations his family had carved out a life here and provided for those who had faith in his family that they would be cared for. He could not leave. She was a Sassenach, and so she could not stay. His chest constricted.
“Angus, we must make ready,” Graham said.
“Aye, that we must.” He turned and met Annabella’s anxious gaze. “If I allow you to ride on your own horse, can I trust you not to escape?”
He was pleased when a smile broke across her face. He was not sure if her delight was from the freedom her own saddle would provide, or if it was from not having to sit so closely against him.
The truth was he wanted to put her at ease. She had agreed to aid him in finding his father, and that would put her at great risk; clearly, more than she realized.
Angus did not want her taxed from the journey. She would need all her faculties in good shape once they reached Linlithgow, if they even made it that far before intercepting the Stewart. Angus planned to take a different route than the one he assumed the man would take. No doubt the Stewart would travel with a great number of men, so Angus and Annabella could easily travel lesser-used roads and remain undetected.
And then a thought occurred to him. “Graham, if we ride on ahead and can bypass Stewart and his party, do you think your men can head him off before he reaches Oban? I do not want that man to step one foot onto Islay.”
“Aye, but I should tell you that I also plan to lead a dozen men in following you. There is no way I will allow your back to be unmanned. This business could go many ways, and I will feel much more comfortable if I know you are protected, even from a distance.”
Angus turned to Annabella. The lass had requested they travel alone, and he could see no benefit to it other than privacy. He did not fear highwaymen or the king’s guard, but common sense weighed heavily on Graham’s side.
“Do you object, Lady Annabella?”
“I do not. As long as we appear to be travelling as a party of two, and not more than a dozen. That would only attract attention, which is what I wish to avoid.”
Angus was impressed. The lass thought much as he did. “You have the mind of a strategist,” he said.
“My father has always said much the same, though I do not believe it was a compliment when he expressed the sentiment.”
“Troublesome child, were you?” Angus could not help but ask. This woman intrigued him more and more.
“Something like that,” she said.
“You must make haste if you are to take advantage of the daylight,” Graham said.
Angus turned to him. “I have never known you to be in such a hurry to be rid of me.”
“I have never feared more for your safety.”
“And mine?” Annabella asked him.
The surprised expression on Graham’s face at her bold question was no doubt mirrored on his own. Graham had never been one to mince words, and he had made his sentiment clear in the armoury that he did not care for any part of Annabella being here. Instead of interfering, Angus waited to see how the exchange would play out. He also needed to know that Annabella was still under his protection, and that Graham would do nothing to imperil her.
“You are fortunate in your choice of companion, Lady Annabella. I fully believe Angus will do everything necessary to ensure your safe passage to Linlithgow.”
“But you believe he does so at risk to himself?”
“Aye, I do.”
Angus had heard enough. There was no way to avoid what must happen next, so standing about bantering about it was a useless waste of precious daylight hours.
“Come,” Angus said to Annabella, “let us make ready. The road ahead is wrought with unforeseen dangers.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Shifting her weight did not aid in the fact that her bottom was too small for the saddle, and Annabella had to work very hard to stay atop the great destrier Angus had selected for her. Clearly he had chosen a stallion who could gallop hard should they happen to be set upon, but he must not have considered the difference in her size to that of the warriors who normally rode this beast.
It did not help that the woollen shift and gown she wore chafed the delicate flesh of her inner thighs. Angus had insisted she dress appropriately for the journey, so as to not attract anyone’s attention.
The crossing from Islay to the mainland had not been nearly as rough as the day they had crossed the first time. For that, Annabella had been grateful. Her belly had done flip-flops at the memory of being pitched about on the deck. But now she had a different reason for being thrown about. Her arms were already exhausted from holding onto the reins so tight to keep from sliding off the creature.
“Having difficulty, are you?”
