Angus took a deep breath and pushed the door open to the inn. MacLean ushered him over to the table where Annabella sat poking some bread at a steaming bowl. It smelled like rabbit, but he could not be sure. Either way, his guts began to rumble.
Angus sat across from Annabella. Even with red-rimmed eyes and dark circles from lack of sleep, she was the most glorious woman he had ever envisioned. He loved every inch of her, but especially her quick wit and charm. Beauty aside, this woman was his perfect match in every way. And he did not want their life together to begin in this way. He longed to court her properly.
“You might as well say what is on your mind, MacDonald. Your expressions tell a grave tale.”
“The news is dire, that much is true.” He reached out to place his hand over hers. At first she stiffened, and he was sure she would pull it away. Thankfully, she did not. “Do you understand why we must travel to Finlaggan with such haste?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I am pleased to hear that. I do not want to engage with Douglas, and there is no doubt in my mind that he will retaliate for the king’s handling of your betrothal. I do not blame him in that regard. I would be furious myself.”
“But you would not retaliate in a way to bring others harm,” she said in a soft voice.
He was pleased her opinion of him had not been completely marred. “Do you also understand that the longer you are unmarried, the more at risk you are?”
She appeared taken back. “How so?”
“If you were to be captured, you could be forced to marry another. Annabella, we need to remedy that threat immediately.”
“Who would capture me, and are you saying what I believe you are saying?”
“We must marry immediately. I am sorry that we cannot prepare more for this, but I will take no chances with your safety.”
She pulled her hand back and looked down at her gown. It was a beautiful crimson colour, which made her fair complexion almost glow. Even with her hair windswept from the ride, she shone brighter than the stars in the heavens. He waited for what felt like an eternity before she spoke.
“Very well, MacDonald. I will marry you immediately.” She shook her head and smiled, and his heart tightened at the sight. “If you will take me like this, then you must truly fear for our safety.”
“There’s more, Annabella. It appears the king offered a different woman to Douglas, and she was supposedly intended for MacKenzie. He now blames me for that, and for new challenges he has with the king over a land dispute. He and his army have surrounded Finlaggan. We must sail today, but the journey will be long and arduous. I see no safer place for you than with me, and you must know that I will protect you with my dying breath.”
Her expression changed from stoic, to surprised, to disbelieving. Angus did not detect anger in her; that much was good.
“I will marry you today, and we will travel to Finlaggan and deal with this MacKenzie together. But know this, MacDonald. I want you to discuss these things that affect me and the people at Finlaggan. I do not wish to be brushed aside or treated like your property. I am about to be your wife, your partner, and I expect you to treat me as such.”
The words were more pleasing to him than anything she could have said. ‘Twas what he wanted in a marriage, as well.
“Aye, my lady. I would want you no other way.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back. It appeared they had turned a corner. There might be hope for them, after all.
* * *
Annabella did the best she could with her hair. There was only one servant available to assist her and no mirror, so she decided a good brushing and some fine braids leading from the front and joining at the back would have to suffice. She still had the beautiful wreath to wear; the gown would have to make do for her wedding clothes.
In all her imaginings, she had never dreamed her wedding would be anything like this, nor that she would marry a man like Angus MacDonald. Joan had been right to encourage her to stand up for herself. She felt better for it, and while it was not pleasant having to be so direct with Angus, she had certainly made more strides to securing her own—and ultimately their—happiness. Who could be married to a man where there was no mutual trust or respect? She had seen many instances of married couples who despised one another. She did not want that for herself or for Angus.
And it appeared that he was willing to engage with her in that regard. She loved him and she believed he loved her, but there had to be more than just love to sustain a marriage. There needed to be respect and loyalty—by her estimation, anyway— and she was not willing to settle for anything less.
A knock sounded at the door. The maid opened it and an elderly priest stepped through. He had kind, smiling eyes, and hair as white as she had ever seen, which stuck up in the oddest way. It made her think of so much here in the Highlands, refusing to be tamed.
“My dear Lady Annabella,” he said. His gravelly voice did not match his kind and gentle outer appearance. “I am Father Gordon, and before we go to meet your future husband, I must ask you one simple question.”
“I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Father. You may ask me anything you wish.”
He smiled, showing crooked, yellowed teeth. The man must be ancient!
“Do you enter into this marriage willingly, and of your own free will? It is not often we receive a guest such as yourself in Oban, and I must be sure for your soul and for mine that you do not enter into the sanctity of marriage under falsehoods.”
Annabella paused for a moment. Truly, this arrangement was not her doing and she had not entered into it willingly. But if she answered the priest in that manner, he may not go ahead with the ceremony. She wanted to marry Angus and spend the rest of her life caring for him, but she could not lie and pretend that this was as simple as them meeting and falling in love.
“Father, before I answer your question, you must understand that I wish to marry Angus MacDonald.”
