Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Anna walked slowly from the great hall to her chambers. Yesterday, she'd been told she had duties as Lady McDonald, but she'd been unable to find anyone to ask precisely how she would go about fulfilling them. When she'd spotted Marcus, he had practically fled from her.
Even though she'd been instructed not to, it was hard not to take his behavior personally. Marcus didn't seem to shun anyone else. It was only when she was around that he would get cold and vacate rooms. Surely, there was something else she could do to win him over.
While she wanted desperately to integrate into the castle without friction, it felt as though she was just as out of place here as she was in England.
It frustrated her that there wasn't a reason for her brother-in-law's behavior.
Though if she thought about it a little more, it wasn't as if she'd done anything to warrant Hugh locking her out of his room.
She supposed that perhaps he was simply doing as Eilidh had warned her to do. It was the most reasonable explanation she'd come up with. It made more sense than him preemptively keeping her away. Still, she hadn't seen him this morning, so it was difficult not to believe he didn't regret it.
If she could see him, she was confident her worrying wouldn't be so intense. Her mind liked to play tricks on her. Believing what Hugh said about her was difficult, even though she knew he had no reason to lie to her or tease her.
"Anna!" Eilidh called, hurrying down the corridor toward her. "I was lookin' for ye! Ye're an early riser, aye?"
"Sometimes," Anna replied, forcing a casual smile. She didn't share that she barely slept the night before and finally gave up on resting when the sun crested the distant mountains. "Today was just an early day, I suppose."
"And it was a late mornin' for yer husband," Eilidh sighed. "I swear, I couldnae find either of ye when I was lookin' for ye."
Of course, Hugh slept in. He spent half the night pacin' his room.
"Anyway, I was hopin' to find ye. We have to finish our tour," Eilidh continued when she came to Anna's side. "And I think it's about time someone talked to ye properly about how to be a proper Scottish lady."
"I suppose English ladies behave differently?" Anna asked, allowing the older woman to hook their arms together.
"Well, I daenae ken. For all I ken, the roles are the exact same," Eilidh laughed, a carefree sound that relaxed Anna. "But it'll give us somethin' to talk about while we walk through the gardens."
"That's what I'm most excited to see," Anna said as they began their stroll to the courtyard. "This castle is so much bigger than it seems. I was surprised at how much we saw yesterday."
"Aye," Eilidh confirmed. "I thought the same thing when we moved here two years ago. It took me nearly six months to stop gettin' turned around here."
"I'm afraid it may take me twice as long," Anna said. She nodded at a servant who opened the door for them. "The manor I grew up in… It was fairly straightforward. I feel as if there are so many twists and turns here."
"There are," Eilidh said, slowing their pace as they came to the edge of the perfectly manicured space. "And so many dark corners. It's why I told ye to keep yer door locked."
"I understand more and more with each passing moment," Anna said, leaning forward to inhale the light, floral scent of the white flowers blooming in front of her.
For a moment, Eilidh allowed her time. Then, she said, "I wanted to tell ye that ye're goin' to be a great Lady McDonald.
What's most important is that ye daenae take sides in the issues that the people bring to ye.
When ye mediate, ye should speak to both parties as though they're equally correct.
Which is admittedly more difficult than it may sound.
Sometimes someone is clearly the winner of the argument. "
"I'll do my best," Anna said, the thought of having people come to her for help in personal affairs a bit overwhelming. "I don't have much experience with people, so I'm a bit nervous I'll make a mistake."
"I promise it'll get easier once ye've done it." The older woman patted Anna's bicep affectionately. "I'm sure ye'll be a natural."
"Your belief in me means the world," Anna said honestly. "Is there anything else I should know?"
"Truthfully?" Eilidh asked, cocking her head to the side. "I daenae ken. Hugh asked me to ensure ye got yer full tour and to give ye advice. I've never been the lady of a castle meself, so I can only tell ye what I think is important."
"Well, if you think it's important, I'll keep it at the forefront of my mind," Anna promised.
With a shared giggle, the women continued through the gardens.
Anna was a little disappointed that only the autumnal flowers were blooming.
This was her home now, and she would get to see the way this area looked in winter, spring, and summer, too.
It would be such a treat to watch this space transform with the seasons.
They took the better part of a morning to make it through the garden. When they reached the entrance of the castle once more, Anna wanted to resist entering. If she weren't trying to impress Eilidh, she might have insisted that they spend more time.
She decided that soon, she'd come back on her own.
She'd be able to take her time finding the perfect flowers to press.
If she so desired, she could sit outside quietly without having to worry that she was holding herself properly.
Perhaps she'd even bring one of the books that Hugh had picked for her and read it beneath the flora.
"It's nearly time for lunch," Eilidh remarked as she guided them toward the kitchens. "And we skipped this part of the tour yesterday since ye werenae feelin' well. I'm sure we can taste a bit of what they're preparin'."
Despite not feeling particularly hungry, Anna couldn't deny that there were dishes she was eager to sample again.
So, she went along with Eilidh, happy to listen to her chatter as they walked.
There was a maternal energy radiating from her mother-in-law that both put her at ease and made her aware of her behavior.
It's because I don't want to let her down. I can tell she's taking a chance on me.
When they entered the kitchens, rich and savory scents wafted around Anna. The staff was loud, laughing, and talking as they finished their work. Even when they spotted her, they didn't stop.
"Ach, look! It's our new Lady."
"Would ye like somethin' to eat, me Lady?" a woman stirring a pot over the fire asked. "I can get ye a bowl. This is just simmerin' now."
"If ye daenae want the stew, I can make ye somethin', me Lady!"
"Oh, I…" Anna began, feeling a bit flustered at being the center of attention. "You don't have to go through all that trouble for me."
"Nay, we wish to, me Lady," one of the cooks replied, stepping away from her station, bringing a small pastry along with her. "Try this, won't ye?"
Anna couldn't fathom refusing, not when the savory loaf was still warm from the oven. So, she took it. When she bit into the flaky bread, a symphony of fresh herbs danced over her tongue. A small sound of appreciation emitted from her chest.
The rest of the staff seemed to take her enjoyment as permission to serve her. The next twenty minutes were dedicated to introducing Anna to as many different dishes as possible. She was stuffed by the time Eilidh finally put an end to the display.
"Enough," she said, though she was giggling and wiping away crumbs from her own mouth. Eilidh's attention turned to a maid who had just walked in. "We have one more bit of the tour to get to."
Anna nodded, freeing herself from the throng of servants gathered around her. When she stopped at Eilidh's side, the maid was approaching them, wearing a kind smile as her sky-blue gaze swept over Anna.
"Lady McDonald, this is yer maid, Emilia," Eilidh said with a lilt of excitement. "I picked her for ye meself."
"It's a pleasure to meet ye, me Lady," Emilia said politely.
"Oh, you can call me Anna," she said, the idea of being constantly reminded of her new title overwhelming.
I don't know if I'm not used to it yet or if I think I don't deserve it… Either way, being called Lady McDonald by everyone is a bit unnerving.
"Well, then I look forward to bein' yer maid, Anna," Emilia replied easily. "I'll be nearby if ye need me."
"I just wanted to make sure the two of ye had met," Eilidh said as Emilia stepped away slightly, giving the two of them the illusion of privacy. "I'll leave ye be in a moment."
"Thank you," Anna said, bowing her head slightly. "I… You said you thought I'd be a good Lady McDonald. Did you mean it?"
"Of course I meant it," Eilidh said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. "Though I have one more piece of advice for ye."
"What might that be?" Anna asked, unable to keep herself from stepping closer, needing all the guidance she could get.
"Ye must be more confident," Eilidh said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We accept ye as our Lady. Ye daenae need to be so unsure of yerself. Ye'll be a fine Lady McDonald. Nay one expects ye to be perfect from the beginnin'. Just be confident, and ye willnae fail."
The words hit Anna in a place she'd hidden away. Being confident was a foreign concept to her. She had always focused on finding and hiding the parts of herself that might draw mocking looks. The idea of being sure about everything she did felt like an impossible feat.
Anna had seen others be confident. It was a possibility, she knew it, even if it felt wrong for her at the moment. With Eilidh's belief in her, Anna supposed that she could try and that she may even succeed.
"I will do my best," Anna promised. "But only because you're so sure of me."
"Ye're a good lass." Eilidh pulled Anna into a tight, motherly hug. When she released the younger woman, she said, "Now, before I leave ye, is there anythin' else I can help ye with?"
For a moment, Anna considered letting her go without another word.
Though there was something that had been bothering her.
"I want to become friends with Marcus," she said, trying to deliver the words with a self-assuredness that she didn't exactly feel.
"If we're meant to be family, it would be best if the two of us got along. "
"Aye, ye're right about that," Eilidh said thoughtfully. "But I will admit that as me youngest, he's a bit spoiled and has been actin' out since we arrived at Castle McDonald."
"I see," Anna murmured, wondering what could have happened to make her brother-in-law behave this way.
"But I'll help ye find him," Eilidh said, motioning for Anna to come with her. "If ye wish to speak to him."
"I do," Anna said, the look on Eilidh's face bolstering her.
Even if I don't mend our relationship, perhaps I can finally figure out why it is that he doesn't like me.
"Hugh, there ye are."
Hugh swallowed his groan when he heard Callum's grating voice.
As he turned, the man was watching him with an emotion Hugh didn't quite understand plastered upon his mouth.
Almost as quickly as Hugh registered the twitch of his lips, it was gone, schooled back into a mask of authoritative indifference.
"What do ye need, Callum?" Hugh asked, keeping his own expression unreadable. "I was a bit busy."
"Were ye?" Callum said, adjusting his stance to make himself appear a bit taller. "I imagine ye're still catchin' up from when ye left us without warnin'."
"Nay, it seems as though whoever stepped in was capable," Hugh replied. "Though they've altered the way me men are trainin'. I cannae say that I appreciate that."
"It's fittin' that the men be loyal to the actin' Laird McDonald," Callum drawled, almost as if he thought Hugh should know this already.
"I'd argue that'd cause confusion," Hugh said, refusing to concede his point. "They end up goin' back and forth with their drills. I ken they're tough, and they're smart, but we cannae ken they willnae make mistakes."
"That's nae the opinion of the council," Callum said. It was a clear dismissal; an implication that Hugh's opinion on this matter wasn't important. "But I didnae come here to listen to yer complaints about how things were managed when ye left so unceremoniously."
Hugh waited for Callum to continue, and when it became obvious that he was pausing for a reaction, Hugh refused to give him one. "Well, what is it that ye want?"
"The council willnae wait to meet yer wife any longer," Callum said, the muscles in his jaw twitching.
About time I got under the bastard's skin.
There was no way out of this, and he knew it. He'd already gone against them enough. He didn't care about pleasing them, but he didn't want to keep giving them reasons to nag. They'd been grating on him ever since he'd returned with Anna.
"Aye," Hugh said, already setting off. "It's time they did."