Surely he was not vexed ather? She had offered him everything, and he was about to toss her aside like a used-up wench. Well, she would not be treated as such by him or by any man.
“Very well, MacDonald. The sooner I am rid of your company, the better. I wish with all my heart you had never crossed my path that day at Edinburgh Castle, and wish with all the stars in the heavens that I never see you again after this night.”
“Are you angry with me because I choose to protect my people instead of drawing the single most dangerous man in Scotland to their doorstep?”
“You should do what pleases you, MacDonald. I can only act in a manner that pleases me.”
“That is correct. You have that luxury, whereas I have hundreds, nay, thousands of people who rely on me to make decisions in their best interest, over and above my own desires. If you cannot see that then—”
“Then what? I am not the woman you thought I was? Well, that is a convenient thing to say when I have poured out my heart to you. You have taken everything from me and given back nothing in return. You abduct me, seduce me, make me fall in love with you, and now you expect me to sit meekly by while you return me to my family, who will have me married off to another man within the month. It is I who have misjudged you, MacDonald.”
Annabella seethed. Lights ahead indicated they must be close to Oban, and not soon enough. Of all the scenarios she had envisioned telling him how she felt, this was not one of them.
“You are in love with me?”
His voice was so quiet she was hardly sure she even heard him correctly. She did not reply and he did not ask again. They arrived at the inn and, before he could slide off the horse, she swung her leg over and jumped down. Without looking back, she marched to the door and stepped inside. It was very late, but Annabella was pleased to see lights flickering inside and no one but the inn owner about.
“I was not expecting you back so soon, my lady. Is it a chamber you seek?” the inn’s owner asked.
“We wish to secure as many chambers as you have available,” Angus said from behind her.
“Unfortunately, we only have three. You see, the king and his men arrived earlier. Said they were looking for a very important lass,” he smiled, glancing in Annabella’s direction. “I can only imagine he meant someone who would have been dressed as a lady, and not a vagrant.”
“The disguise was necessary,” Angus said.
Annabella glanced down upon her gown. It had not been much to begin with, but now it showed signs of the night she had endured, with tears and brambles stuck to the wool. She did not even want to think about her hair. But, more importantly, the king was here! She would be able to put the entire mess behind her as soon as she located him.
“I insist on seeing the king at once,” Annabella said.
“My lady, do you not wish to perhaps freshen up a little first?”
That comment tipped the scales of her patience. She did not care one bit about how she appeared to anyone anymore. And if the king thought that her appearance was a reflection on how she had been treated in MacDonald’s care, then he would be correct in his assessment.
“Lady Annabella,” an older man—she assumed to be Angus’s father—said, as he stepped up behind her, “might I have a brief word with you before you return to your king?”
“He is not my king, but rather my cousin’s husband. And yes, you may speak.” It was difficult for her to maintain her fury when a kind and gentle man like this one addressed her in such a way. Angus had moved over to the hearth, and was staring into the fire. She would have liked to boot him in the arse, and prayed a flanker would pop out and burn his manhood.
“My name is Alexander MacDonald, lass. I am Angus’s father and, unfortunately, the reason you have been caught up in affairs that should have never entered your sphere of knowledge. I do wish you have not been harmed in any way during your stay with us.”
An interesting way to put it, and clearly meant to ensure she did not cause more trouble for them. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lord. I have heard much about you.”
“I would certainly hope that some of it was good.”
She could not help but smile. My, but he was charming. “Yes, most of it was good. You son thinks very highly of you.”
“I am pleased to hear it. He takes his responsibilities very seriously.”
“I do not doubt that, my lord.” She could not have this conversation with him. “I admit, I am weary from my travels and wish to retire. I will do as you ask, and see my cousin in the morning.”
He nodded and smiled. “I thank you, lass.”
“If you are done, Father, I believe we should be on our way.”
He was leaving? Annabella tried to hide her surprise and disappointment, but she could not. “Do you not have anything to say to me, MacDonald?”
“Aye, I wish you a safe journey back to your family.” He threw some coin at the innkeeper, then stepped out into the night.
Dawn would soon break, and she suspected they would take a ship to Islay as soon as it was light enough. One by one, MacDonald’s men followed him out, barely glancing her way. And then they were all gone, and she was left with a feeling of emptiness that threatened to choke her.
