Once they docked and secured horses, Angus pulled Annabella aside. “If we engage in battle, I want you to stay behind me, do you understand?”
He could not have any second-guessing or arguing going on once they arrived at the castle. “If we are fortunate, the men surrounding Finlaggan Loch will be fewer on the south side. We may be able to take a boat to Eilean Comhairle, and further on to Eilean Mor.”
“But if they see us, they might be able to reach us with their bows and arrows, will they not?”
“Aye, if they see us,” he said, and grinned. “How do you feel about swimming?”
It was a risk, but Angus hoped that if he could secure Annabella in the castle and then meet MacKenzie at the drawbridge, they could engage in peaceful negotiations rather than a bloodbath.
“I have never been in the water like that, and fear I would surely drown.”
The concern on her face was evidence enough that she was unaccustomed to this sort of endeavour. He was certain of her ability to endure, however, and cupped her face with his hands and kissed her sweet lips. “We will walk into the water using the boat to keep us afloat. By holding onto the sides, we will have something to help us along. You will lie flat inside the boat, covered in canvas.”
She smiled then. “That is agreeable. I did not wish to be in the water. Do you think we can make it to Eilean Comhairle undetected?”
“We will know better once we approach the loch. If there are only a few MacKenzies about, we may be able to bypass them easily enough.”
“And are you certain there will be a boat at our disposal?”
“Aye, I am sure of it.” Angus knew the loch like the back of his hand and, while it would be a difficult endeavour, he did not see that they had another choice. His steward said MacKenzie was out for blood, so the only way to engage him was from inside the castle while his men surrounded them from the north.
“Are you afraid?” he asked Annabella. He was troubled at having to put her in such a situation. She would need every ounce of courage she could muster now, but he knew in his heart she was up to the task. She had proven her mettle time and again, and was now almost as much a part of this place as he. He held his breath while he searched her face for any signs of hesitation or fear.
She drew in a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I am brave as long as I am with you, Angus. I trust you with my life, and would not wish to be anywhere else right now.”
Her words made his heart swell. He smiled at her and she smiled back, her dimples deepening. The sight made him want to find some privacy and show her just how much he loved her. “I promise when this danger has passed, we will begin anew,” he murmured. “I will court you in the right way, if you wish, and we can celebrate our marriage properly. Whatever you want.”
He took her hand in his and led her to the horse they would share for part of the journey. Once settled into the saddle, he pulled her body as close to his as possible, while still allowing room to manoeuvre the animal. He wrapped his arms around her, grabbed the reins, and kicked his heels into the horse’s side.
They took off in a gallop north toward Finlaggan. The journey would not be a quick one, and Angus would take them as far as he could on horseback.
When they were as close to the loch as he dared go, he slipped off the horse and helped her down. “We must continue by foot,” he said, and slapped the horse’s hindquarter to send it back the way they had come.
“Do you think they have many men on this side of the loch?” she asked.
“No, I expect they will not have any, considering the isthmus is the only way leading to the castle. I do not think he would anticipate my plan.”
As the Balloch men came up behind them, they spread out and walked slowly through the wood. After about an hour, the edge of the loch became visible. Angus breathed a sigh of relief. There appeared to be no one in sight.
On his signal, they crept forward until they reached the water’s edge. The boat Angus had anticipated was there waiting. He urged Annabella to get inside, and covered her with the canvas that was sometimes used for a sail. He and Graham and four of his clansmen then pushed the boat into the water and waded in until they could use their feet to kick. Steering the boat would be the biggest challenge, so he had Annabella holding onto the rudder and would quietly say “starboard” or “port” when he needed her to adjust.
By the time they reached Eilean Comhairle, Angus was bone-weary. They pushed the boat ashore and then entered the council chamber to catch their breath.
“I saw no one on my side of the loch,” Angus said. “Graham, was there anyone on your side?”
“No, but something does not feel right. If he has as many men as John said, surely they are not all at the drawbridge standing in line.”
Angus agreed. If it were he, there would be men surrounding the entire loch.
Perhaps MacKenzie’s army had dwindled.
“We cannot rest here long,” Angus said. “We must continue on to Eilean Mor to find out what is going on.”
Angus grappled with whether or not to leave Annabella here, or risk her capture by continuing on with her.
“It is but a short distance to Eilean Mor from here,” Graham said. “Perhaps we should row instead of swim. There is enough darkness now to aid our voyage.”
“Aye, I agree,” Angus said. “Come, let us make our way now.”
