Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
"Idaenae ken how many times I have to tell ye," Hugh said, his unimpressed gaze sweeping over his council. "I already married Anna, so the deed is done."
"And we daenae ken what ye're nae understandin'," one of his council members, Aaron, interjected. "The choosin' of yer own wife, that's nae the way this clan operates. We needed to approve that decision. Yer actions daenae just affect ye, but the entirety of Clan McDonald."
"Aye, I'm aware," Hugh said, his patience beginning to wear thin.
"And it's too late to stop the union from happenin'.
I went ahead with the marriage when I could because I was thinkin' about the clan.
Anna gave us a sizeable dowry. It's money we needed.
The castle needs repairin', and now we can do it. "
A ripple of whispers ran through the council.
None of them addressed Hugh, choosing to discuss the new information amongst themselves.
Their displeasure was still obvious, though they clearly weren't complaining about the money.
Hugh had known the financial aspect would temper their other complaints.
"Ye were correct that we needed the coin," Aaron finally said, each word coming slowly.
"And we likely would have approved this marriage had ye come to us before actin'.
But because we werenae consulted, the people willnae be satisfied.
They'll be disappointed they didnae get to attend the weddin' nor meet their Lady prior to her appointment. "
"Perhaps they'll be dissatisfied," Hugh said, rolling his shoulders back and taking a step toward Aaron, tired of the insubordination of his council. "But they will be less satisfied if they're starvin' to death. If this castle cannae protect them."
Hugh didn't wait for a response, knowing that if the conversation continued, they'd simply go in circles around one another until he snapped.
Instead, he decided to keep the fragile peace they had.
He turned and left the meeting room. Now, his main goal was to find Anna and ensure she was settling in.
Even as he went to find her, he realized that she may not want to see him. Not only did he essentially force her to marry him, but he had also been touting the fact that he'd married her for her dowry.
It doesnae help that Marcus made an arse out of himself.
Before Hugh was able to reach the door and leave the meeting room, another one of his council members approached him.
He forcibly turned Hugh around, glowering.
Hugh stepped forward, a savage snarl on his face.
He wouldn't back down here, but he'd let the man speak before tearing him apart.
Hugh would decide his punishment after he said what he had to say.
"Ye shouldnae have chosen yer own wife," he said, redness rising to his cheeks, his anger barely concealed. It seemed that he didn't care that he was disrespecting his Laird. "Ye must have gotten her pregnant! I'd wager ye didnae even ken about her dowry when ye did. Ye just got lucky."
"How would I ken she's pregnant?" Hugh asked, unimpressed. "I was nae gone more than a month and a half. Even if I had gotten her pregnant, I wouldnae have known. But she's untouched. There's nae an heir on the way. Her dowry was an asset we needed."
"Ye cannae act on yer own!" the man yelled, tightening his grip on Hugh.
The misconduct was no longer excusable. While Hugh had been patient, allowing the council to air their grievances fully, his patience had been tested. He wouldn't let any of them believe they could disrespect him in this way any longer. Hugh was the one in charge.
"Enough," Hugh snapped, grabbing the man's wrist and removing it from his arm, his grip strong enough to leave a bruise.
"Ye have made yer point. I shouldnae have acted without gettin' me council's approval.
Ye cannae change what's been done now, though.
I suggest ye watch the way ye speak to yer Laird from here on.
I willnae allow this kind of behavior any longer. "
For a moment, they hold each other's gaze, fire in their eyes.
Hugh knew that if it went on too long, he would have to get physical.
He took a step forward, putting himself chest to chest with the council member, asserting that he would be the one to win this fight, regardless of how it played out.
Finally, the man backed down, his fear getting the better of him.
As he slunk away, it was obvious that he was upset.
But he willnae say anythin' else. It's nae like they can do a damn thing about the marriage but complain.
"Callum," Hugh said, noticing the man hovering nearby. "Would ye like to explain that behavior? I daenae think it's proper for a member of me council to be speakin' to me that way."
"Well, I told ye before ye left of yer own accord," Callum said slowly, leading Hugh out of the room and letting the door close behind them.
"Lairds daenae pick their own wives, nae here.
The council must approve. They feel slighted, like ye're underminin' them.
It's dangerous for the clan to have a leader that acts on his own in the manner ye did. "
"First, they're nay one to undermine. I'm the ultimate authority of this castle.
And somethin' had to be done, Callum," Hugh countered, believing the man to be reasonable.
"Even ye have pointed out that we're losin' funds faster than we can collect them.
I ken that I shouldnae have gone to marry Anna like this, but I kent I had to act.
It willnae be long until it's clear that this was the best course of action for the clan. "
Callum's expression remained stoic, his arms crossed across his chest. "Regardless of yer reasonin', the council still isnae happy about yer actions. Ye're goin' to have to be on yer best behavior for a while. I cannae protect ye if ye continue to ignore their advice."
He truly thinks I need his protection.
"I daenae think the council should have any suggestions I willnae agree with," Hugh said, refusing to let Callum believe Hugh needed him to look out for him.
"The circumstances surroundin' this marriage didnae allow for consultation.
Me actions have benefitted the clan. Any dissatisfaction will fade with time. "
Callum sniffed derisively, knowing better than to argue any further. Then, before Hugh could walk away, he added, "I thought ye should ken, while ye were gone, Marcus attempted to take yer place."
Nay. Marcus wouldnae. He doesnae care for this position.
"I appreciate yer concern," he said, measured, watching for Callum's reaction. "But I daenae think his actions were made in an attempt to assume control. Perhaps he was ensurin' stability durin' me travels."
"Ye werenae here," Callum said casually, though Hugh picked up the challenge beneath it. "Ye didnae see what he was doin'."
"Then I will await the reports," Hugh replied, tightening his jaw. "Perhaps if ye didnae spend the better part of an hour questionin' me marriage, ye would have had time to tell me what happened while I was away."
He gave Callum a few seconds to respond, and when he didn't, Hugh turned to leave. It was imperative that he check on Anna and ensure she was comfortable. The interruption of his council had only delayed her transition to the clan.
While he marched through the castle, his mind kept circling back to the accusation made about Marcus. Hugh didn't want to believe a word that Callum had said; yet, he couldn't help but wonder what happened in the castle when he was gone.
He knew his brother wouldn't willingly take over the Lairdship.
When it had been offered to Hugh, Marcus had wanted him to take it, but had come to dislike the position.
Though, that might have had something to do with the fact that Hugh hadn't allowed him to cart his lover along when they'd moved here.
But… perhaps things have changed. We've been here for two years. Did I miss his change of heart?
"Ye must tell me about the manors in England," Eilidh said to Anna as they walked through the castle. "Since I'm tellin' ye so much about castles."
"I will," Anna promised, a true smile settled upon her lips.
"But I don't think they're nearly as beautiful as castles.
" She looked around the corridor they were traversing, admiring the intricate craftsmanship of the stones.
"Ye said ye've been here two years? Hugh mentioned taking over the Lairdship. "
"Aye, he took it nearly two years ago," Eilidh confirmed, keeping the two of them moving. "We didnae ken his uncle well. He was me husband's brother. After me husband passed, we didnae have time to visit with family. If I wasn't workin', I was mindin' the children."
"It must have been quite hard," Anna said sympathetically. "You raised excellent children, though."
"I did, did I nae?" Eilidh replied with a fond expression. "They're more stubborn than mules, but they have good hearts. Even Marcus. I ken he's a bit… difficult at the moment. He's nae always like that. And it's nae because of ye."
Well, it seems as though it is because of me. I didn't do a thing to him, yet he looks at me with such contempt.
"I'll try to keep that in mind," Anna said after a moment. She had no reason to believe Eilidh was lying. "I'm sure that he has his reasons. I won't take it too personally."
Eilidh nodded, giving Anna's arm a grateful squeeze.
"I'm sure he'll come around. He just needs time.
" She stopped at the mouth of a long hallway.
"Now, the most important part of the tour.
Ye need to pick yer chambers. Then, I'll have to tell the staff so they can bring yer things.
And a few warmer cloaks that ye can use while we wait to get ye proper clothes of yer own. "