Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
The woman and her father stared at Hugh as though he were a ghost.
Ach, they probably think me one. I'm likely nae the Laird McDonald they were expectin'.
"Your bride?" the man who must be Lord Windham said. His mouth twitched, his eyes widened for half a second before he schooled his expression again. "I'm not sure I know what you mean."
"Ye daenae?" Hugh asked, glancing at the woman standing behind him. "It seems ye may."
That must be Anna. She's a bonnie thing. Plumper than the other English lasses I've seen since I've been in the south. I think she's the only Sassenach I could see meself with.
"Ye must be the woman who wrote me," Hugh said as he pulled out the missive that had kept him company on his journey. He'd read it several times over, looking for clues he may have missed. "Ye're lookin' forward to marryin' Laird McDonald, are ye nae?"
Anna stared at him with wide eyes, not moving when Hugh stepped around her father. He was nearly in front of her when her mouth dropped open, and her eyelids fluttered closed. With the swiftness of a warrior, Hugh closed the distance, catching Anna's body before she collapsed.
Ach, seems to have fainted from the shock. Perhaps I should have announced meself prior to knockin' on the door.
As he held the girl close to his chest, he couldn't stop himself from enjoying the curves and softness of her body against him. Up close, she was even more beautiful. Her eyelashes fanned over her cheeks, and the slight roundness of her face glowed in the sunlight streaming in.
"Who are you, really?" Lord Windham asked again, the man clearly terrified. "Why are you here?"
"I've already told ye," Hugh said, adjusting Anna in his arms to tuck her more firmly against his form. "I am Laird McDonald. And I've come for me wife."
The crack in Lord Windham's expression returned again, and this time it took him longer to cover it. "I don't know what you're talking about. We were not expecting you, nor is Anna betrothed to anyone."
The man was lying, it was written on his face. What he knew, Hugh couldn't be sure. But he would make it his job to find out.
And then I'll wed this bonnie thing, get her dowry, and take her back to the Highlands.
"Tell me where her chambers are," Hugh said, though he was loath to let her out of his arms. "I will put her down, and then we can discuss this."
Windham's eyes darted from his daughter to Hugh's face. Slowly, he took a step forward, puffing out his chest. It seemed as though he were trying to make himself appear bigger. It was almost laughable.
"I can carry her," he said.
Ach, I doubt ye can. Ye look about as weak as any Englishmen I've ever seen. Doubt ye've seen a day of fightin' in yer life.
"Nay need to jostle her," Hugh said, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Just lead me to her chambers. She willnae want to wake up in me arms, I'm sure."
"You will put her down, and then you will leave," Windham said as he led Hugh through the manor.
"I will require quarters," Hugh said, dismissing the second part of the statement. "I cannae have these conversations in me road clothes. And I will require a place for me horse."
"You… I… You will not!"
"Is this the lady's room?" Hugh continued, ignoring his spluttering.
Lord Windham, miffed at being ignored, said, "Yes, this is the one."
He opened the door and stepped aside to allow Hugh entry. As he approached the plush mattress, he felt Anna stirring in his arms. Carefully, though perhaps not as gently as an Englishwoman would have liked, he lowered her onto the quilt.
As soon as her eyes opened, she screamed, attempting to scramble away. Hugh stepped back, raising his hands in surrender. That seemed to be enough to quiet her, though she still pushed herself back, as far away from him as she could without falling from the mattress.
"That's enough, lass," Hugh said, working to soften the sharp edges of his voice. "I willnae harm ye. But I need ye to tell me what this letter is about."
Anna blinked several times, her fingers tightening in the sheets below her. Then, she cleared her throat, looking away as she said, "I will tell you the truth. But I need time to compose myself. Once I have rested… I will tell you everything."
Hugh widened his stance, looking down at her. There was nothing about her expression that indicated that she was lying. The poor thing was exhausted, wearing her emotions on her soft, delicate features. Fear was prominent, as were her regret and resignation.
"Aye," Hugh said after a few moments, realizing that pushing would get him nowhere but thrown out of the manor. "Ye look as if ye need a wee rest. We will speak when ye wake."
"You may come back tomorrow," Lord Windham said, putting a hand on Hugh's shoulder. "Leave her to her rest."
I'm nae gettin' back in this place if I leave. I ken this man willnae open the door for me again. And I'm nae leavin' until I get answers, nor am I leavin' without me bride and her dowry.
"I'm nae goin' anywhere until we get this matter sorted," he said as he shrugged the Englishman's hand away. "Now, if ye'd show me to me chambers for the evenin'."
The letter was never supposed to reach Laird McDonald. He was supposed to be dead. Though perhaps Anna shouldn't have sent the missive at all. She doubted that Charlotte truly would have gone poking around the postmaster's office.
But I doubted that Laird McDonald would have shown up on my doorstep, and he did. I shouldn't have ever executed this plan. There were too many variables out of my control.
"It is too late for that now," Anna said to herself as she climbed out of bed. "What's done is done. I must clean up my mess. Then, I'll be able to carry on with my life."
He'd said he'd come for his bride, though. Would she truly be able to go back to the existence she'd known before the letter? Something in her soul told her that this man wouldn't take no for an answer. If he truly came because he wanted to claim her as his wife, he wouldn't leave until he did so.
What will happen if I marry him? I would have to leave my home and new friends. When would I next see my father?
She didn't know what her life would be like if she were no longer here. Even though she'd dreamed of her future so many times, it never involved leaving England. And now, she wasn't sure what this man wanted from her, which made the situation even more worrying.
Shaking the thought that didn't feel entirely unwelcome from her mind, Anna left her chambers. The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden glow around her home. It felt deceptively comfortable, as though she were responding to a social call rather than going to confess her sins.
It didn't take Anna long to find Laird McDonald and her father. The two were sitting in the drawing room, the silence thick enough that she felt as though it were a physical presence between them. Slowly, she stepped into the room.
"I am ready to tell you why you received this letter," she said, pulling the men's attention away from the stare-down that was happening.
With both their eyes locked on her, Anna was overcome with shame so heavy that she thought her legs might collapse.
She realized now, now that she was moments away from doing it, that she was about to tell Laird McDonald that she'd used him as a way to make friends.
This complete stranger would know how inept she truly was in social situations.
"Papa, would you please give us a bit of privacy?" she murmured, not wanting him to hear this embarrassing story for a second time.
"I will not leave you alone with him," he said, making no move to get up. "It is highly improper."
"I willnae hurt the lass," Hugh said, his face unreadable. "Ye daenae need worry about her. I may nae look it, but I'm nae a beast."
"Please, Papa," she said softly, wishing her voice wouldn't shake. "I'm only going to tell him what I told you. I will be all right alone."
Her father narrowed his eyes, staying precisely where he was seated.
His gaze bounced between the two of them, lingering on the Laird.
In a measured tone, he said, "You know that I cannot allow that, Anna.
Your virtue is called into question. If it's only what I've already heard, then you don't have to worry. "
"I understand," Anna said, struggling to keep her gaze on his. "I shouldn't have asked you to leave."
Her father gave her a nod of acknowledgement that put an end to his involvement. Anna had no choice but to turn her attention to Hugh. Neither of them spoke for several minutes, the Laird watching her with that indecipherable look settled upon his features.
Perhaps this would be easier if he weren't so handsome. I've never seen someone like him. He's so much more… masculine and muscular than the men here. It's confusing my mind.
"Ye should sit," Laird McDonald said, inclining his head toward the seat next to her father. "Ye have a bit of yer colorin' back, but ye still seem a bit pale."
Anna nodded, her gaze on the floor as she crossed the room and sat.
This close to Hugh, she could see the chiseled details of his body.
She caught sight of tiny scars that told the story of a man who knew his way around weapons.
Her eyes landed on his lips, and her entire body blushed when the thought of what they may feel like came over her.
I shouldn't be thinking such things. He's probably seen loads of prettier women than me. There's no way this attraction is mutual. And even if it were, I don't know him. He is nothing but a stranger.
Clearing her throat, Anna said, "I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies. I didn't intend—"
"I'm nae here for an apology," he said, cutting her off with his deep, husky voice. "Ye only sent a letter. I've come because I'd like ye to explain."
Anna nodded, unsurprised. If she had received a message like the one she'd posted, she'd want an explanation as well. Though she wouldn't cross the border in order to get it.
Highlanders are different from the English, though.
"Well, I will admit," she started, threading her fingers together in her lap and keeping her attention there as she spoke, "it's a bit… silly to say out loud."
"I will nae laugh," Hugh said without a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Right," Anna agreed, though she was not sure that he wouldn't find humor in her pathetic, desperate reasons for the deception. "You see… I am not much of a success in society."
When Laird McDonald was quiet for a beat too long, she lifted her head to see if she'd already said something wrong. Instead, she saw confusion. His brow was drawn tight, and his mouth was curved in the ghost of a frown.
"I'm nae sure I understand," he said slowly. "Ye're nae much of a success?"
"I am not," she confirmed, tightening her fingers into a knot.
"I… I had no friends, nor any marriage prospects.
And as I get older, it only becomes more difficult to change any of that.
I believed that forging a letter confirming my betrothal, along with sending a letter to a laird that was already dead, one that couldn't respond, would be the best way to get them to change their opinions of me. And I was correct. I have friends now."
The words had flowed from her quickly, and when she finished, she gulped down air. She knew that she was flushed from how warm and restricting her clothing felt. Still, she held Hugh's gaze.
"I am quite sorry to hear that, lass," he said, gentler than he'd said anything since he'd arrived. "Ye seem like a fine woman to me."
Anna nodded, swallowing and finding a lump there.
"But the Laird McDonald ye wrote to was me uncle," he continued. "He's been dead for two years. Lairdship was passed to me a year ago."
"My condolences," she said, feeling even more shame at her ploy. "I am sure you must have thought it was meant for him. I did not wish to cause you any distress."
"Ye didnae cause me any distress," Hugh assured her, giving what she could only assume was his version of a smile. "But I'm here to make yer letter a reality. I've already told ye that I was here to make ye me bride. I'd like to propose a marriage between the two of us."
"I… No!" she said, the volume of her voice rising with surprise. It was an instinctive reaction, one that she could only blame on her fear of the unknown and the fact that no one had ever shown any interest in her prior to this moment.
"Anna, don't be so dismissive," her father interjected, reaching out to grab onto her arm as if to hold her steady. "That was your initial reaction, I understand, but please keep your head on straight."
"Nay, let her be," the Laird said, amused. "I think me proposal startled her, 'tis all."
"It seems so," her father said. "Come now, Anna. We should have a discussion with the Laird."
"Aye," Hugh confirmed with a solemn nod of his head, appealing to her father rather than her. "I'd like to marry yer daughter and give her a home in me castle in the Highlands."
Anna's voice was lodged in her chest. She grasped for reasons to say no, then wondered why she wanted to be rid of this so badly. Is this not what she had wanted?
It is, but not like this. I wanted to be courted. I didn't want marriage to feel as though it were an obligation to the man proposing.
"You are not obligated—" she began before her father's voice cut her off.
"Anna, perhaps the two of us should discuss this," her father said, casting a look at Laird McDonald. "Would you give the two of us a moment?"
"Aye, I'll wait outside," Hugh said before leaving the room.
"Papa, I—"
"Anna, you must," he said, eyes serious. "People have seen him; they know there's a Scotsman here. We've yet to rescind your story. You… you must accept his proposal lest you'll be a ruined woman."
The truth of the words made her shift uncomfortably in her seat. He was right. If the engagement had simply been broken off, everyone would assume she was the problem. Any chance of finding another husband would be snatched away.
It's Laird McDonald or nothing… and even worse social stigmatization.
"What if he's not a good man, Papa?" she said, afraid of what may happen if she were to marry this stranger. "I… Would that truly be better?"
Her father's expression softened a bit. "He may be rough around the edges, but I don't think he's a bad man. If I thought he was, I'd send him away and help you cover up the scandal. But I think we can avoid that if you accept his proposal."
"I suppose you're right," she said, looking at a spot on the wall. "I suppose I'll be Lady McDonald."