“What about you?”
“I was dumped in the middle of their encampment and held as a hostage. The leader sent word to Rory.”
“You were held for ransom?”
“Aye, but Rory planned his own attack against the thugs. He tortured the messenger until he broke. ’Twas only five days after my parents’ death when Rory stormed into camp. I’ve never seen him so as I did that day. He went berserk, killing every single man who’d attacked us. Not one man was granted leniency. ’Twas a message well sent, that none would ever attack his clan so again.”
“I’m sorry.” She hugged Annie as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Some time has passed and my heart is less burdened. The good memories have risen to override the bad. I keep the precious times with my loved ones close.”
“What happened next?”
“Rory took me in after my parents’ death, and though he is a chief and a warrior first, I have been privileged to have been in his care. You said he came for me—I mean you.”
“Yes. The Chief of MacDonald was captured by the king’s men.”
“Oh.” Annie rubbed her chin. “With Donald MacDonald out of the way, there would be no need for the handfast.”
“Exactly, but I’d already spoken my vows, only I broke them when I left with Rory to ensure my letter made it to my parents.”
“Rory would use such a thing to his advantage. Hmm, what to do. I must think on it.” She wandered into Mum’s cozy kitchen. From the crockery cupboard, she nabbed two glasses and set them on the sand-colored countertop. “Juice of the orange, or milk?”
“Orange juice.”
She took the milk from the fridge, poured two glasses then passed her one. “Milk is better for the bairn. Would you like a sandwich?”
“No, I just—”
“Food is good for the bairn too.” Annie removed four slices of bread from the bag and laid them on a wooden board.
“Okay, I should be trying to up my iron levels anyway. Toss some meat on that if there’s some, and I’ll try and keep it down.”
“Morning sickness?” Annie buttered two slices, fetched some sliced ham from the fridge and slapped the sandwich together. Passing her the meal on a plate, she added, “Is there aught I can do to help?”
“I don’t think so. I feel all right at the moment. I’ll eat this slowly.” She nibbled on the sandwich.
“I have a thought.” Annie lathered honey on her sandwich, cut it in half then returned and sat beside her. “The handfast was to take place afore the first of the coming month.”
“Yes, it did.”
Annie smiled, rather slyly. “Ah, but who’s to say it can’t take place twice?”
“Rory no doubt, and if you haven’t noticed, look where I am.”
“Aye, that is one problem, or mayhap two.”
“I also need to consider my parents.”
“Ah, or mayhap three. Still, enough of that.” Annie tapped Anne’s knee. “Worry willnae get us anywhere. I said I’d sort this, and somehow I will.”
Three problems, and a distance of over four-hundred years spanning them.
Great. Annie fixing this was something she’d like to see.
Alex paced Anne’s chamber. “She will return.”
“It’s been two days.” Margaret perched on the end of the bed, wringing her hands in the lilac folds of her gown. “What if she does no’ come back? Annie still hasn’t.”
That hadn’t passed his notice. His first intended bride hadn’t been seen again since Anne had arrived. He halted at the window, gripped the stone sill. The loch remained calm with nary a ripple. Its glassy surface was at great counter to the storm of emotions roiling within him. “Anne will come back. I will hunt her down if she does no’.”
“Rory grows restless. He continues to ask about her, and I cannae keep him from this chamber for much longer.”
Margaret had informed MacLeod Anne had the same chest sickness as Mary, both suffering terribly from their travel across the sea.
“Continue to keep the door barred. Do whatever you can to keep him from entering.” Below in the inner courtyard both his warriors and MacLeod’s men trained, each clan keeping to their side. “I need to join my men.”
“Go. I’ll send word if she returns.”
Anne would come back to him. He wouldn’t accept anything else.
’Twas a mantra he recited over and over as he left Margaret behind and stormed outside.
At the edge of the courtyard, he eyed the Fairy Tower. ’Twas where Rory MacLeod’s chamber was located, not in the old keep where he’d just been.
The front door of the tower opened and MacLeod stepped out in his great plaid belted at his waist. Their gazes clashed, and MacLeod tipped his chin up then stared him down. “Do you wish to train, MacDonald?”
From the sheath across his back, Alex slid his claymore free and held it aloft. He wanted nothing more than to release this tension tying his muscles in knots. “I thought you’d never ask.”