Turning toward Angus, she said, “If you need to go and see to your clan, MacDonald, then go. I will be returning to my home in England on the morrow.” As she said the words, she looked toward her feet. Tears stung her eyes as she fought not to swallow her pride and fling herself into his arms.
His feet came into view, then a large hand lifted her face until she met his gaze. The pain she saw there constricted her heart. Oh, how she wanted to kiss away the hurt, but she could not. If she did not make this stand now, then she would forever regret it.
“You cannot be seriously considering returning to England, where your father will marry you off to a stranger.”
Her chest hurt from holding back her tears. Truly, what choice did she have? If she did return with her father, she would only be in the same situation within a sennight. “I want to make the choice for myself, not be treated as something insignificant.”
His expression turned hard then. “Very well, if you choose me, then you must come with me now. I leave to ready the horses. I will wait for you for one hour and no longer, Annabella. I have told you before, I do not have the luxury of putting my needs above those whom I have sworn to protect.”
His words were like a hard slap. How dare he think her capable of such selfishness. She took a step back from him. “I will not go with you, MacDonald.”
His eyes narrowed and his jaw set. “Very well. I bid you farewell, then, Lady Annabella.”
With that, he left the chamber. As the door slammed behind him, Annabella’s tears flowed freely down her cheeks. What had she allowed her pride to do? She moved to sit in the chair by the fire, sobbing. How could she go, yet how could she stay? After a long and much-needed cry, she felt a hand squeeze her shoulder
Joan knelt before her and cupped her cheeks in her hands. “If you do not run after that man right now and tell him you love him and will go with him, I will believe you to be the most foolish woman I have ever met.”
Annabella blinked several times as the reality of her actions settled over her. Oh God. Joan was so right. What did it matter how she had come to be intended for him? She could have everything she wanted, and she had thrown it away out of pride.
Annabella wiped away her tears and regarded her cousin. “What have I done?”
“He said he would wait for you for one hour,” Joan said with a half-smile and one raised brow.
Annabella lifted her skirts and raced to the door, threw it open, and dashed down the stairs and out into the inner courtyard, frantically searching for Angus. She had to find him before she lost him forever.
She turned around and around, but could not see him anywhere. Panic set in.
Had he changed his mind and decided to go without her, anyway?
She turned back toward the stairs to the chambers, and ran into a solid chest.
She peeked up at him to find his expression stony. The light was dim, and she hoped he would not see how red her eyes were from her tears. Would he forgive her stubbornness?
“I was afraid you had left,” she whispered.
“I went above to collect your things,” he said.
A small glimmer of hope warmed her heart. “You did?”
“Aye,” he said. “The king insists you return with me to Finlaggan, as per our arrangement for my allegiance to him. I am afraid the choice is no longer yours.”
Annabella’s heart sank. He had not returned for her because he loved her. He did it for a reason she could never forgive—his personal gain. She truly was his prisoner for now and always.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Angus was not about to let Annabella out of his sight ever again. She was vexed and he could understand why, but neither of them could afford the luxury of tenderness and courtship at the moment. Once they were safe and sound at Finlaggan and married, he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her. But for now, they needed to move.
Lifting her atop his horse, Angus swung up behind her then reached around to grasp the reins. Her body was stiff ahead of him. She would be very sore once they reached their destination—but that was her problem now. He had warned her often enough.
With everyone in their party set to go, Graham accepted a torch from a guard and started out across the drawbridge. Angus did not envy his friend for his burden, but it was necessary if they were to make any headway this night. Thankfully, the moon was waxing and, with clear skies, offered much-appreciated illumination. If only Annabella could be aided by the glow to see his point of view.
Once they were on the road leading west, Angus could remain silent no longer. “Annabella, you must try to relax. Your back will not last the journey if you remain sitting so straight in the saddle.”
She turned her head to the left. “Is this the way it will be from now on? You telling me what to do and when? How to sit, how to speak, when to speak?”
Angus shook his head. “I know you are unhappy with the turn of events this day, but—”
“Unhappy does not begin to describe how I feel at the moment. We have a long journey, my lord, I would rather spend it in silence.”
