Without looking back at her, he hopped down to pretend to inspect the horse’s hindquarter.
“It is worse than I thought,” he said. He stood, then and released the horses from the carriage. Tossing the reins of one to Graham, he led the other around to the back of the carriage and then tossed the flap open.
“It appears one of the horses has acquired an injury. One horse cannot pull a carriage of this size.” He tried to keep his face impassive. “Can you ride?”
“You are addressing the Queen of the Scots. Have you no manners whatsoever?”
He glanced her way and then back to the queen. “Well? Can you?”
She shook her head. Her cheeks were flushed and she was perspiring. Her bairn was definitely on the way. He was sure she would welcome a break from the rocking carriage.
“Very well,” Angus said. “Graham, you stay here and guard the queen. Her cousin and I will ride hard for Linlithgow.”
“My name is Lady Annabella Beaufort, and I do not wish to leave her,” the lass said.
Angus had not anticipated this, and tried to conjure a reason to persuade her to go with him. If she did not, he would have to force her and he did not want a screaming woman on his hands. Not, of course, unless she was screaming his name during a passionate encounter. He smiled. Then she could scream all she wanted.
“You go and find old Meg, Annabella. You will no doubt locate her swifter than this lot,” the queen said.
“Are you certain?” Annabella asked.
“Yes, I have a little time yet.”
Angus let out a deep breath slowly. This plan might just work, after all. He and Graham dragged the carriage to the side of the road, then he helped the cousin onto the uninjured horse and mounted behind her. This ride would be interesting.
CHAPTER TWO
The single saddle provided no additional space for them, so she was shoved up hard against the horn. Damn him if he did not shuffle closer; she was convinced he had more room but would not use it.
He had the manners of a wild boar and the chiselled features of a Roman god. Annabella had no problem admitting she found him attractive; very much so, in fact. She was aware of every inch of his perfect, muscular form as he sat behind her, but was damned if she would admit it to him.
She turned her head and looked up into his eyes. “Must you sit so close?”
The corners of his lips curled up and then he shifted back an inch or two. Soon enough, though, the horse’s movement forced his body forward again. When riders appeared ahead, she heaved a sigh of relief. Now they would be able to help her cousin, this ordeal with the man at her back would be over, and she would never have to see him again.
His arms flexed around her as he pulled the reins up and stopped, just as the other guards slowed.
“The queen is in a carriage just back there, and requires assistance. I bring her cousin to the palace to find the midwife. It appears the queen’s bairn is ready to make an appearance.”
“You must ride with them and I will take one of your horses,” Annabella said.
Surely they would comply with her request immediately?
When the guard in front glanced at the guard behind her and raised an eyebrow, Annabella’s hopes faded.
“I will see her safely to the palace,” Angus said. “You men go see to the queen.”
Annabella wanted to protest, but before she could, the horse beneath her reared up and took off in a gallop.
“Was that necessary?” she asked once they fell into a rhythm again. “You should have a care. What is your name, anyway? I just might report you if you do not take better care with me on this horse.”
As they passed the turn leading toward the palace, he said, “My name is Angus MacDonald, and I am afraid, Lady Annabella Beaufort, you will accompany me to my home at Finlaggan Castle on Islay.”
She sucked in her breath. Angus MacDonald? The prisoner’s son? A filthy Highlander? Annabella drew a ragged breath and her hair prickled at her nape.
“Am I your prisoner, then?” she dared ask, hoping not to vex him. Joan had told her much about these Highlanders who attacked and plundered villages, who raped any woman they wished, who killed innocent Scots in their beds at night—all cowardly acts, in her view. However, she would be wise to keep such opinions to herself.
“You are my guest until such time as I see fit to allow you to return to your home.”
