Angus was more than happy to leave this cabin and the Cameron lands behind.
They gathered up the men, left the cabin, and returned to the woods just outside. Wherever Chattan had gone, chances were that he would return soon. Once Annabella and his father were safe, Angus would send a hunting party for the man, though something told him the scoundrel would not be found.
Once they were far enough away from the cabin, Angus reached for Annabella’s hand and was thrilled when she let him take it. Though it was dark and he did not wish for the others to see the affection that passed between them, he was more relieved than he could possibly say that she was safe. How could he think he could let her go to Linlithgow?
Now that his father was safe, he had no reason to hold on to her any longer. But if he allowed her to go on her own again, would she go? Or if he asked her, would she stay with him? Would his people accept a Sassenach as their lady? He believed they would. Annabella had won over most of the people at Finlaggan Castle during her stay. She would be perfect for Finlaggan, and perfect for him.
Once they returned to the horses, he put her atop his and climbed up behind her, holding onto the reins and she to the horn. He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her back tight to him, buried his face in her hair, and breathed in her scent.
His loins tightened at her nearness and her essence. Not a word had passed between them, but he sensed that she felt the same as he.
She did not question where he was taking her as he led his men west. For now, he would take her to Oban until he could figure out what to do about the Stewart king. His men would ride ahead and take his father home to where he belonged. At least one part of this business was now resolved. But what would he do about Annabella?
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
They travelled in the dark, but Annabella had never been able to see more clearly. Here in Angus’s arms was where she belonged. Longing to tell him, but lacking privacy, she held her tongue. Soon they would find a resting place for the night, and then she would share her true feelings and her wish to stay with him. Though she was no doubt intended for another in England, that was thousands of miles away. Besides, what could her father do while he was there and she here? She did not care to increase his lands or titles through a marriage, and she was certain Angus would not care for her dowry of money and a manor house in the country. She smiled to herself. Somehow she could not imagine him in a doublet and hose.
The best her father had ever offered her was a duke, and the man was the worst sort of evil she had encountered other than Gawain Chattan. It had only taken her one meeting with him to determine that. The way he had eyed her and all the women in the room had convinced her his heart could not be tamed. But the way he had snapped at the servants when it was just he and she alone, convinced her that he was full of contempt for those less fortunate than himself. Where would that leave her? Her dowry was not enough to tempt him, so she never did understand why he had been so persistent in her hand. In the end, she had flatly refused, and her father had granted her wish for temporary freedom and escape to Scotland to visit her cousin and clear her head.
She had agreed to take up callers again upon her return. That should happen in fortnight from now. Imagining herself married to a stuffy Englishman, rather than the virile and passionate man behind her, left her with no doubt as to where she wanted to be—right where she was.
“Are you sleeping?” Angus whispered in her ear.
“No. Just thinking.”
“Tell me.”
Her belly fluttered with anticipation. Should she, and could she tell him? What if he did not return her feelings? She would be devastated. But worse would be not knowing.
“I am thinking of you.”
He pulled her tighter and buried his face in her hair again. “I want you right here and now, Annabella. I have never ached for a woman so much in my life.”
“I want you, too. This very moment, I do not care about propriety.”
“Ahhh, but we must. You are a lady, and I will not dishonour you.”
“You know as well as I do that I am yours. No man will ever make me feel the things you have.”
“If it were up to me, you would return with me to Finlaggan and we would marry on the morrow.”
“Why is it not as simple as that?”
“Because the Stewart would send an army, and there would be much bloodshed. As much as I want you, I cannot put innocent lives in danger for the sake of my happiness.”
And what about her happiness? Did she not get to have a say? Men! All around her, they controlled every aspect of her life. Why could she not choose that which would give her everything she wanted? Unless this was an easy way for him to be rid of her. He had let her loose in the woods with little protection; and he was now willing to give her back to her cousin without a second glance.
Her cheeks burned as she sat up straighter. “Why do you pull away from me?”
“I am uncomfortable.”
She did not care if he believed her or not. She had put her desires out there and he had rejected her. He would fight for his kitchen staff, but he would not fight for her. The childish fantasy she had of a man who would save her was false, and not worthy of another minute of her time. The sooner she returned to Linlithgow, the better.
“You are vexed, I can feel it rolling off you,” he said. “Will you tell me what I said to upset you?”
“You have done nothing more than make me realize that the best place for me is at home in England with my family. I wish to return to Linlithgow. I believe I had been prepared to follow through with my end of the bargain we had struck, and now it is your turn.”
“For this night, we will rest at Oban. There, I will secure you a comfortable chamber, and on the morrow attempt to discern the location of the king. If all goes well, he will be convinced of your safety and may collect you at his leisure.” His voice had taken on a hard edge.
