“To the death,” her father whispered.
* * *
Angus watched the different emotions cross Annabella’s lovely face. She was obviously afraid for him, but she had no cause to be. Angus had not met the Douglas, but the other man’s clan was noted for their cowardice when confronted, while Angus had been engaged in combat since he had started training at ten.
“Might I have a private moment with Lady Annabella?” he asked. He was not certain how propriety worked in England, but in the Highlands, men and women who were intended were permitted privacy in short durations.
“That is up to my daughter,” Beaufort said, and smiled at Annabella.
She, in turn, smiled back. Clearly something good had shifted between her and her father, and if it made her happy, then it made Angus happy.
“I would like that very much,” she said, and got up from her chair.
Angus came around to assist her, and together they left the table and walked toward the far entrance of the great hall.
“There is a lovely garden on the far side of the palace. Might we walk there together?” she asked.
“Aye, I have much to say to you.”
They walked across the inner courtyard, through the other side, and headed toward the garden.
Holding onto his arm, she asked, “Why did you leave me without a proper farewell at Oban?”
“You were vexed at me, and I did not understand why. I did not know what else I could say to you, so I left. It was clear that you wanted me out of your sight, and so I did just that. I would do anything you ask, Annabella. Anything.”
She looked up at him with a furrowed brow. “Please forgive me for acting in the manner in which I did. You did not deserve that from me, and it was not what I wanted. I spoke of love and you spoke of duty. I assumed you were placing one above the other, and did not see then that you were saying you would honour both.”
As soon as they were deep enough into the gardens to be unseen, Angus stopped her and turned her shoulders so that she faced him.
“I love you, Annabella, as I have loved no other and will love no other. Only you fill my dreams. Aye, I have responsibilities, but I include you in them, as well.”
“I see that now. I love you, too, and want only for us to return to Finlaggan and begin our life together.” She paused and looked down.
Angus gently lifted her chin with his finger. “What is it?”
“I fear what tomorrow will bring. If this man is as conniving as I have heard, then he has no honour and will not play fairly.”
“Ahhh, but you assume ‘twas his idea to hold the tournament. I believe he would have been satisfied with your father’s coin. Nay, ‘twas the king who created the second part of this, to satisfy the Douglas over the loss of you. In truth, I would win a hundred tournaments for you, Annabella. You are mine, and have been from the first moment I saw you standing on the steps of that chapel, begging for assistance.”
Annabella laughed. “You must have thought us mad in the head.”
“In truth, I could not believe my luck to happen across such bounty while trying to rescue my father,” he said with a laugh, and brushed his lips gently across hers.
“I am bounty to you, am I?” she asked with a sigh.
“You are more than bounty to me, and I intend to show you just how much I adore you when you are truly mine.”
“Tell me,” she said in a whisper. “Better than that, I will show you.”
Angus drew her into a tight embrace and pressed his mouth fully onto hers. As he parted her lips, he slipped his tongue inside to taste her. He had been convinced he would never taste her again, and now that they were reunited, he vowed they would never part.
Angus deepened the kiss and reached up to cup her full, firm breast. His loins tightened as her hands slipped around his neck and pulled him toward her. By God, when he finally claimed her body, they were sure to burst into flames.
His blood pounded and his erection throbbed. He wanted to bury himself inside her tight sheath more than he wanted his next breath. He wanted to watch her face as her orgasm consumed her, as he had done on that one night they had shared on Eilean Mor. There was no end to the things he wanted to do to her body and have her do to his, all in the name of pleasure.
“Well, it appears there is more to this than I was told,” a voice from behind her said.
A chill ran down Angus’s spine as he broke the kiss. He pulled her out of the embrace and stepped in front of her, blocking her from the man.
