Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Now for the second step.
Anna pinned her brown hair up, the forged letter tucked inside her bodice. Today, she would find a comfortable space on the promenade path to settle and read the missive. It would plant the seeds of a rumor, and if anyone approached her and asked, she would share.
Nerves clawed at her from the inside. Even though she was sure that her plan would work, something niggled in her mind. There was a weight that settled uneasily on her shoulders.
It's because of the deception. I have never been a good liar. It's imperative that I allow this letter to carry the story.
After taking a fortifying breath, she left her chambers and descended the stairs of the manor. Nearly at the door, her father intercepted her. His face was kind, his hand soft against her elbow. His concern was evident, though expertly concealed.
"You did not leave your room yesterday," he said, caring. He'd been this way Anna's entire life, especially after the passing of her mother. "Are you feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Anna replied, forcing a reassuring smile. "I was simply tired from the excitement of the ball."
Her father's expression softened. His hand came up to cup her cheek. "The dress has already been paid for. You need not trouble yourself so."
"I'm not troubling myself anymore, Papa," she said. Then, she told a half-truth. "You were correct. I needed a bit of rest. I know how I will handle it if there's another occurrence."
"Good," he said with a smile, dropping his hand. He took in her appearance. "And where are you running off to?"
She faltered for less than a second before saying, "I thought I'd go for a walk to Hyde Park. It's a beautiful day."
"I'll join you," he said.
"No!" Anna said quickly. She schooled her expression. "I… I think it's best I go on my own."
For a horrifying moment, she thought he was going to insist. Then, he said, "It wouldn't be any trouble, but I suppose I understand the desire to walk on your own.
Though I can't say I'm pleased you're going without a chaperone.
Do try to be back before sunset. You're a grown woman now, but you know I still worry about you. "
"Yes, Papa," she said before taking her leave.
Once out of the manor, she kept her pace quick and steady. The decision was partially to get herself out of her father's sight, but mostly to ensure that she followed through. The only way her plan would work was if she sowed the seeds now.
It needs some time to circulate. Then, I'll invent a battle in which Laird McDonald loses his life. I'll fabricate another letter. And perhaps, I'll teach myself to cry at the drop of a pin.
Anna came upon the park quickly and sat on a bench in the shade. With a slightly trembling hand, she retrieved her letter. Then, she opened the page and read.
It didn't take long for others to start taking notice of her. At first, it was a slight turn of the head when someone passed her by. Slowly, though, she heard the whispers start as groups of women walked the path in front of her chosen perch. Everything was unfolding exactly how she'd expected.
Finally, the perfect opportunity to staunch the teasing appeared.
Charlotte led her two friends directly toward Anna, her eyes locked onto Anna's form.
The look upon her face made it obvious that her father had been incorrect.
While the dress had been paid for, there was certainly reason to trouble herself.
Not for long, though. I'm about to fix that problem.
"Anna," Charlotte said as she stopped in front of her. "Curious that you left the ball early. You weren't covered in wine."
"I do apologize so," Anna said, the words sincere. She may not like Charlotte, but her intention was never to be unkind. "I hope you'll be able to replace it. It was a darling dress."
Charlotte didn't respond to that; her focus shifted to the letter in Anna's hands. The plan was working flawlessly, even better than Anna had imagined. She'd perfectly baited a trap, and Charlotte fell for it.
"And what is that you're reading with such intent?" Charlotte asked, her eyes narrowing. Her body was poised to snatch it away the same way she'd done with the dance card.
"A letter." Anna held it close to her chest, lending credence to the parchment's value. "It just arrived."
"And who is writing to you?"
Charlotte didn't wait for an answer, lunging forward.
Even though Anna was expecting something like this, Charlotte's actions still threw her off balance.
As she went, she let her hand relax a bit on the missive.
And, in an act that looked accidental but was completely deliberate, Charlotte snatched the page away.
Retreating with a swiftness Anna hadn't expected, Charlotte moved back to the girls flanking her, her eyes scanning the page.
Anna watched, doing her best to look indignant.
The instant Charlotte understood the message, a flicker of hope stirred in Anna—that her ploy might work, that her torment might finally stop.
"Betrothed!" Charlotte said, holding the letter down so her friends could read it over her shoulder. "To Laird McDonald?" She looked at Anna with piercing eyes, an expression that demanded to know how she had missed this. "When did this happen?"
"Several weeks ago," Anna replied, making to grab the letter but letting Charlotte keep it when she pulled away.
"And why," Charlotte continued, slow and measured, a bit of awe lingering in her tone, "did I not know about this?"
"It's a private affair." The words come easily, easier than Anna thought they would. Lying so easily should have scared her, but it only emboldened her. "Many are afraid of Highlanders here. I did not think it pertinent to share the information."
"Not pertinent?" Charlotte was incredulous. Then, in a tone that belied an interest that had never been shown toward Anna, she said, "You must tell me everything."
Anna had planned not to share the information she'd concocted so willingly; she'd wanted each detail to be needled out slowly, but the novelty of having someone wishing for her to speak was overwhelming.
So, rather than insisting she shouldn't speak of it, she relayed the details she'd come up with.
"It was a chance meeting," she began with a dreamy inflection. "I was on a short walk on the far edge of my father's property when I saw him."
The girls leaned in closer, and Charlotte, surprisingly, perched on the bench next to Anna.
It was so different from her behavior at the ball.
Logically, Anna knew it was simply because of the gossip she possessed, but that didn't stop her from soaking up the feeling.
For once, she felt as though she were normal, that she had some sort of status amongst her peers.
"I called to him," Anna said, carrying on her story. "He was riding his horse through the fields, making a right mess of the sod."
"That's a Highlander," one of the ladies said, speaking as though she were an authority. "They have no courtesy."
"That's what I told him," Anna laughed, becoming more and more confident in the tale she was weaving. It was so easily accepted that she couldn't help but sit up a bit straighter. "And he apologized if you'd believe it."
"A Scotsman apologizing?" Charlotte said, leaning in. "Why, he must have been taken with you. You say you've been betrothed for several weeks. How long did it take for the arrangements to be made?"
"They were made quickly," Anna replied. "I brought him to the manor, and he and my father spoke. Before he left, he said he'd like my hand if my father were to permit it."
"And it seems he did," Charlotte said. "But you didn't marry immediately?"
"No, there wasn't any time," Anna said, adding in a wistful sigh to her performance.
"He was passing through, coming home from a trip to the southern part of the country.
The people of Clan McDonald were expecting him.
There was no time to plan a wedding, and my father would not allow him to take me with him without marrying me first."
"Your father's always been quite protective of you," Charlotte said, the inflection in her voice letting Anna know that she'd tentatively accepted the lie. "Had I known, I would not have pestered you for not dancing with men at the ball. It would have been improper."
It was as close to an apology as Anna would get from the woman. So, she savored it, even though it was given because of false information. For once, she just enjoyed being treated kindly.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't spread this too widely," Anna said after a few moments. "As I said, I'm aware that the public is wary of Highlanders. I would prefer the news to stay between us."
She'll spread this regardless of what I ask, but this will make her even more eager to do it.
"Of course," Charlotte said, sharing a lie of her own. "Your secret is safe with us."
"That's appreciated," Anna murmured, accepting the letter when it was returned to her. "I am sorry for not telling you sooner. I do hope you understand my reasoning."
"I do," Charlotte replied as she stood. Anna was prepared for her to leave without another word, but Charlotte stopped.
There was something cold and analytical in her gaze.
"I do find it quite odd that this is the first I'm hearing of it, though.
It's not as if our fathers don't speak with each other.
Maybe you don't have friends, but your father does. "
Anna stared back at her, frozen. For a dangerous moment, she was sure that everything would fall apart. If Charlotte realized that this letter was fake, the teasing would only get worse. But her face remained impassive.
"I look forward to meeting this man." Charlotte's words, though clearly skeptical, came as a relief. For now, at least, she couldn't find any holes in Anna's story. "I do hope I'll be invited to the wedding."
As she sauntered off without waiting for an answer, Anna's shoulders dropped.
Although her story had been accepted, Charlotte remained skeptical.
Anna assured herself that there was nothing that could be found to prove what she'd said false.
If Charlotte poked around at the post office, she'd learn that there had been correspondence.
If she learned of Laird McDonald's death, then Anna would pretend to be devastated and begin the final part of her plan.
Surely, she won't go that far. I'm simply being paranoid. This plan will work. I can feel it in my bones.