Damned man. Angus could lift him by his scrawny neck and shake the words out of him easy enough. Though he was Annabella’s uncle and primary advisor to the king, Angus did not care for the man. He smirked too much, and slithered about like a snake collecting feed for a later time.
Angus and his father followed Beaufort to the king’s apartment and sat on the indicated chairs. The chamber was filled with scrolls, and there was an ornate desk with padded chairs. Above the hearth, a tapestry depicting a unicorn and a lion stared down upon them. Angus had seen the image before, and wondered at its significance to the Stewart.
Before long, the king entered and closed the door. His lips were set into a grim line his brow furrowed. The knot in Angus’s gut grew. Whatever the man had to reveal was not good news.
“My lords, we have a problem,” the king said.
“The look on your face would indicate a large problem,” Angus’s father said.
The king shook his head. “Nothing we cannot overcome if we desire the same outcome.”
“Then tell us what you have learned, and then we can decide where we go from here,” Angus said, unable to prevent an edge entering into his tone.
“The Douglas seeks compensation and retribution for breaking the marriage agreement.”
“How is that our problem?” Angus asked through a clenched jaw. He knew this had been too good to be true. The only man who would truly benefit from this arrangement was the man sitting in front of him. Angus should have never trusted him.
“It is your problem if you wish to marry Lady Annabella, and I will be lying if I do not equally wish your fealty. The Douglas is furious, and wishes her ten-thousand-merk dowry in compensation and a gentleman’s tournament for the lady’s hand.”
Ten thousand merks? Angus was worth ten times that and Annabella was worth every coin, but he would not be bribed like this. A tournament, though, was another matter. Angus had never been bested in any sport. As angry as this development made him, it could be much worse.
“Make her father pay the dowry, I do not need his money. And tell the Douglas I will meet him in a tournament.” Angus stood and nearly toppled his chair. “Tell him to wear his best armour—he will need it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Annabella fidgeted with her gown as she and Joan waited in the great hall. Her father would shortly join her and the queen to discuss the matter of her marriage, and she had never felt so on edge in her life. She supposed her father would be the least difficult to sway; he would still gain much by this alliance and, after all, was that not what he hoped for most—power and title? What would the wife of the Lord of the Isles be entitled? She stifled a grin; she would make up something in order for him to agree.
How life had turned around since the day she and Joan had visited Edinburgh Castle. Never in her wildest imaginings could she have envisioned falling in love with her captor. Thinking back on that day, and her first sight of him, she should have known then. There was something about him that had immediately drawn her in, and would not shake its hold on her no matter how much she denied it.
“Are you well, Annabella?” Joan asked.
“I am,” she said, a little surprised at the question. “Why do you ask?”
“Because you are about to pick some very fine gold stitching clear out of the sleeve of your gown.”
Annabella looked down. She had not even realized she had been doing anything besides thinking of Angus. She caught movement near the far entrance of the hall. A few servants were there setting tables, and Annabella’s heart caught when she viewed Angus, his father, and her own father approaching.
She could not tear her eyes away from Angus. Normally attired in his leather jerkin and plaid, today he wore a find brocade tunic with a black leather belt, the intricate detail becoming more apparent as he drew nearer. His plaid was secured, and the brooch she adored so much was fastened to his shoulder so all the world would know he was proud of who he was.
Her gaze trailed up his torso and across his broad shoulders to where his flaxen hair danced across his shoulders. She noted his strong jaw and sensual lips that were curled into a smile, and then her gaze locked with his. His green eyes held her captive, and she held her breath until he stood before her. How could she ever consider being with another man when one such as this existed? And he would be hers very soon.
“Lady Annabella,” he said, his deep voice resonating through her entire body. “My Lord MacDonald,” she replied in a voice barely above a whisper.
A chuckle beside her drew her back into the present. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance again, my lord, although this circumstance appears to be more pleasant than on the last occasion. At least for me,” Joan said.
Angus turned toward Joan. “You are correct, Your Majesty. And I will add that you look remarkably well, much to my delight. I am very glad our first meeting did not affect you adversely.”
“No, it did not,” she said with a smile.
Annabella had apparently lost the ability to speak. She and Angus had spent much time together in private company, and she was accustomed to speaking her mind in his presence, but she did not think that would be appropriate under the current circumstances. In truth, she wanted to fling herself into his arms and stay there forever.
“Please, my lords, take a seat and share the noon meal with us. I believe we have much to discuss.”
The men took their seats, with Annabella sitting between Joan and her father.
She supposed that was for the best, otherwise she would not be able to avoid reaching for Angus’s hands and that would not be appropriate.
“To the business at hand,” her father said to Alexander. Angus’s father had not stopped smiling at Annabella. “Are we in agreement with all we have discussed?”
