They sailed across the narrow space between the two islands within the loch. Pulling the boat ashore on the other side, Angus breathed a sigh of relief as they made for the entrance to the hall leading to his private quarters. She would be safe there while he confronted the MacKenzie.
* * *
As Angus was about to leave her in his chamber, she grabbed his hand and pulled him back. Cupping his face, she drew him close and kissed his mouth. “Godspeed, Angus. Please be safe.”
Her body tingled all over when he returned her kiss with the promise of the passion they would share when this mess was finally resolved.
“This is the safest place I can put you right now,” he said. “Please do not open this door for anyone except me, do you understand? Stay away from the windows, and bolt the door when I am gone.”
“Aye, Angus, I will do as you say. Now make haste so that you can return and give me a proper wedding night,” she whispered in his ear. His approval of her words burned in his eyes.
Annabella’s heart soared. While she was afraid for what would come of him confronting the MacKenzie, every fibre in her being was contented with the fact that she was where she belonged. This was her home now, and as soon as Angus left, she took a brief opportunity to look out the window once before trying to find a place to stay out of sight.
From her vantage point above ground, she could see some men following Angus. She was careful to stay out of sight, but her heart was in her throat when she realized that the MacKenzies had spotted them and knew where they had been all along!
She must find a way to get word to Angus. But how? If she left this chamber, she ran the risk of being seen and captured herself. Annabella stayed by the window peeking out for what seemed like hours, but no one else passed by.
Suddenly, the latch lifted on the door. The hair prickled at her nape. The door was bolted on the inside, so unless the person on the other side had an axe, there was no way they would gain entry.
Annabella could not resist going to the door to listen, and was surprised when she heard whispering on the other side. “Let me in,” the female voice said.
“Who is there?” Annabella whispered back.
“Naught but a servant, but I can help you if you let me in.”
Annabella was unsure what to do. Angus had said to let no one in besides himself, but surely the MacKenzies did not have female warriors with them. What if it was a MacDonald female who needed a safe place to hide?
“Lady Annabella, it is Rhona. Please let me in!”
Annabella hesitated. This was the servant who had expressed her clear designs on Angus when Annabella had been imprisoned in the tower. What if she had learned about their marriage and meant to bring her harm?
Thankfully, Angus had left her a dagger, so Annabella grasped it before turning the lock. A moment later, the latch lifted and Rhona entered. The lass closed the door swiftly behind her and bolted the door again.
“We cannot stay here,” she said.
Annabella held the dagger at her side, ready to strike should the need arise. “And why is that?”
“Because the MacKenzie has the castle surrounded, and he knows you are here.”
“And how do you know that?”
“Because I have been hiding ever since they arrived but two days ago. I grew up on this island and know it like the back of my hand, including all the secret passageways the Mackenzie does not know about.”
“If that is the case, why did Angus not use them when he left me here?” “Because they would not lead him to the keep, which is where he went when he left here.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I followed him.”
“So what do you want from me?”
The young woman hesitated. The arrogance she had displayed weeks before, when Annabella had been locked in the tower, was not evident in her countenance. Rather, she fidgeted and kept glancing out the window.
“I wish to get you someplace safe.”
“And why should I trust you? You have lied about your relationship with my husband, and threatened me in the past. I have no reason to believe a word you say. For all I know, you have betrayed us all to save your own skin, and the MacKenzie is outside waiting for me right now.”
Rhona hung her head and clasped her hands together. It was then Annabella realized she carried no weapon. If the lass truly wanted to hurt her, she would most certainly have had a dagger of some sort.
