Angus slipped from his horse and strode to the cottage. He pushed past the men with little resistance, opened the door, and peered inside. His father sat at a table, eating a crust of bread. He dropped it when he locked eyes with Angus. Ever so slightly, his father shook his head. Angus got the meaning loud and clear. Do nothing yet. Somehow, he would find out what his father knew about these men and use it to their advantage. Angus’s own men would hopefully be able to track them here, and this would all be over soon.
“Hello, Father,” Angus said. “How do you fare?”
“I am better than I was in Stewart’s dungeon, but I would much rather be on Eilean Mor with a trencher piled high of roast boar and a tankard of ale.”
Angus smiled. “All in good time. It is good to see you. I went to Edinburgh but you were not there.”
“I heard. You left quite the flurry in your wake,” his father said with a grin. “You do know how to get attention when you seek it, lad.”
“I did not seek attention. I sought you.”
“And the lass?”
Now it was Angus’s turn to shake his head in warning. His father’s furrowed brow and slight nod confirmed he understood that Angus did not want Chattan to know who she really was.
“She perished on the way. I picked up another wench to warm my bed in Oban, but she just escaped.”
“You do not have much luck with the ladies, as usual.”
“‘Tis a curse on me, I am sure of it.”
Angus and his father smiled. Angus was pleased to see his father was in good enough health to travel. Chattan was still outside, but soon enough he would inform Angus what was expected of him. And soon enough the man would die.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Twigs and branches tugged at her hair as she dashed through the wood to find Graham. Annabella’s heart pounded as she put much-needed distance between herself and Angus. She could almost find humour in the fact that just a few short days ago, she had longed for an opportunity to escape Angus’s captivity. Now she longed to be back with him again—partly for her own safety, for she did not think she had the necessary understanding of the wild in order to survive; and partly because…
Well, she did not think she was ready to admit that just yet.
Surprisingly, her sense of direction was keener than she imagined. Before long she had located the road on which they had travelled, and could hear men talking just ahead. To be safe, she hid behind a tree until they came into view. If it was not Graham and the other MacDonald clansmen, she would not reveal herself but try to find a way back to Finlaggan. She was certain they would aid her there. The irony was not lost on her. Her captives may yet become her rescuers, and her prison her haven.
Annabella pulled her gown in around her legs as much as possible to ensure she would not be seen, and cringed when the gown caught on a branch and snapped it. She looked up and held her breath. There was no sound now coming from the approaching party. Did they turn around? Peering through the trees, she caught sight of a single rider coming from the direction she had travelled before. He was large, like the other MacDonalds, but she could not identify him. Unsure of his honour, she tucked back behind the tree until she was sure he had passed. Oh, where was Graham? On this path, they would surely intercept one another.
“Do not scream,” a low voice said from behind her.
Before she could react at all, a hand clasped over her mouth and a large body pressed her in toward the tree. She found it difficult to draw a full breath. Her blood pounded in her ears. Unable to reach the weapon she had tucked into a hidden pocket in her skirts, Annabel had no way to defend herself!
Breathing only through her nose—and very shallow at that—stars formed before her eyes. After what seemed like an age, the body behind her pulled back and the hand slipped away from her mouth. She doubled over and drew great breaths to fill her burning lungs.
“Where is Angus?”
Annabella looked up at the sound of Graham’s voice. Thank God! She turned and offered him a grateful smile. “I am very glad to see you.”
His brow drew in tight and he frowned. “By God, woman, if something has happened to Angus, you had better start talking.”
His fists were clenched. Annabella did not think for a second he would hurt her, but she did realize how it looked.
“We were set upon by four men, three Camerons and another man—”
“And how is it you are here alone and Angus is not?” Graham folded his arms across his chest. He clearly did not believe her.
“Angus found a way for me to escape. He said to find you and tell you everything.”
“So far I have heard nothing compelling to make me believe anything, other than that you have somehow miraculously gotten away from him. I swear by God, woman, if he is hurt—”
This was ridiculous. Annabella placed her hands on her hips and stepped forward. “Do not be daft! Do you really think I could possibly escape from Angus if he did not want me to? I thought you had more faith in him than that.” She pointed at him. “While you throw your outlandish accusations at me, Angus is in very real danger from the other man who is surely the devil incarnate.”
Graham’s expression grew more serious. “Then tell me.”
