Page 31

CHAPTER 31

“Nay smile for yer favorite braither?” Jackson asked, sweeping Anna into a hug.

Her family had arrived, confirming what she already suspected; the wedding was going ahead as planned, and would take place the very next day, though she still hadn’t spoken to her betrothed.

She’d tried over the past two days, since her encounter with Beathan at the tower, but it seemed that Gordon was now avoiding her as much as she had previously been avoiding him.

“I daenae have one to spare,” she replied, hugging Jackson in return, secretly grateful to have him there at Castle Lyall.

He pulled back. “Why, what’s wrong? Ye were all smiles when ye left.”

“It’s nothin’,” she said quietly, shaking her head. “Nothin’ I can talk to ye about here, anyway.”

She discreetly tilted her chin toward the other two figures who were emerging from the carriage: her mother and father, both wearing proud grins, and certainly in the mood for a wedding.

“Ah…” Jackson winked in understanding. “Later, then?”

Anna nodded, greeting her parents as warmly as she could, putting on a performance for them. Especially for her mother, who’d warned Anna before she departed with Gordon, who had subtly voiced her doubts, and hadn’t been heeded.

They’ll think me daft if I tell them I’m nae sure about me betrothed anymore.

Indeed, she had to keep reminding herself that he was the best prospect, even if theirs ended up being a loveless marriage.

Yes, he’d taken her choice away about the wedding, but he hadn’t bothered her during her seclusion, he hadn’t taken any freedoms from her, like demanding she stay in the castle or locking her away; he’d respected her wish to be left alone and that, if nothing else, made him better than most.

And I was goin’ to marry him anyway, so what’s the difference if it’s sooner or later? She held onto that when her thoughts began to spiral.

“Me sisters?” Anna asked, frowning when the carriage door closed and no one else got out.

Her mother smiled apologetically. “It was so rushed that they couldnae be here in time.”

“And Ewan has stayed behind to take care of everythin’,” her father added, though she wasn’t as bothered by her eldest brother’s absence.

Anna nodded, swallowing down the regret that lodged in her throat. “Nay matter. Once I’m married, I’m sure I can convince me husband to visit them both. Even Laird Dalmorglen wouldnae dare to refuse Gordon guest rights.”

Another benefit. I might see Elinor again. Her heart cheered ever so slightly, considering the power she would have when she became Lady Lyall. Certainly more than she had now, or had ever had before.

“And where is the man?” Anna’s father asked, looking around.

Unable to admit that she had no idea where her betrothed was, for he could not be found anywhere in the castle, Anna just smiled and shrugged. “Oh, he’s tendin’ to his duties. I expect he’ll join us for supper, though. Come, let’s get ye all settled in yer chambers.”

“Already such a conscientious host,” her mother complimented, her eyes bright with joy.

It was a happiness that Anna didn’t have the heart to snuff out with her doubts, for it seemed that Louisa had changed her mind about Gordon. If she could come to the conclusion that her daughter marrying the Devil of the Highlands wasn’t so bad after all, then perhaps all would be well. Perhaps Anna was worrying for nothing, and she would do well to forget everything Beathan had said.

Either way, it seems I’m gettin’ married tomorrow…

“I can steal ye away from the castle, if that’s what ye want,” Jackson said, lying on the rug in front of the bedchamber fireplace like a cat.

Anna sat in the armchair, resting her chin on her hand, gazing into the flickering flames. “And ye daenae think that would start some manner of war?”

“If it did, would ye deem it a romantic gesture from him?” Jackson grinned at her. “Yer betrothed, racin’ after ye with an army at his back, fightin’ to reclaim ye from the wicked braither who spirited ye away? I’d take the blame, if that’s yer concern. I’d say I dinnae agree with the union.”

Closing her eyes, Anna expelled a weary sigh. “I’m just so… confused, Jackson. Part of me thinks I adore the man, part of me thinks I’m goin’ to be miserable, part of me wants to break through that shell of his, part of me thinks there’s nae use in tryin’; I’ll just break meself in the attempt.”

She’d told him of her conflicting thoughts, and of what Beathan had said to her atop the tower. She’d told him of Gordon’s vague replies and hidden history, of how everything had been going so well, until he’d suddenly announced their wedding without consulting her. She hadn’t gone into detail about other things, but she’d alluded to the fact that the couple had been getting ‘closer.’

“Sophia swears she dinnae mention what I said about marryin’ sooner,” she continued, “but I’d almost prefer it, because at least then there’d be a reason for this sudden change in his behavior. He cared what I thought before, he cared about my decisions, but… Aye, I’m just confused. So very confused. And I daenae think that confusion will ease before I’m supposed to be meetin’ him at the altar tomorrow. Mercy, I daenae even have a gown.”

Jackson rolled onto his side, his cheek propped on his hand, furrowing his brow in thought. “Is there any way yer betrothed might have heard what ye said to Sophia?”

“We were alone,” Anna replied. As if she hadn’t already thought of that.

“Have ye asked him outright why he did this?”

She nodded. “He said it was to prevent others from takin’ advantage of me.”

“Sounds to me like he’s had word from someone,” Jackson said, after a moment. “Someone wantin’ to claim ye for themselves. Either that, or what happened by the stream made him realize that he wants ye to be his wife as soon as possible, so ye’ll be under his protection, his authority, his might. A Devil-ess of the Highlands, if ye will. There’s strength and power in bein’ a Lady, Anna, especially his.”

She blinked at her brother, astounded by the piece of the puzzle that she seemed to have missed. Gordon’s announcement of the wedding had come right after that incident, and though he hadn’t shown it or spoken about it, maybe it had rattled him in ways Anna couldn’t understand.

“I suggest ye start by talkin’ to him,” Jackson added with a smile. “Properly. Without lettin’ yer anger or confusion cloud yer mind. Vow it here and now that ye willnae leave wherever he is until ye have clarity on the matter.”

Anna sniffed. “Easier said than done when he doesnae want to be found. I really thought he’d be there at the supper, but… evidently nae.”

They’d waited almost an hour before eating, in the hopes that Gordon would appear in the Sea Hall to dine, but he hadn’t. Instead, a maid had been sent with a message that he was unfortunately occupied, and would not be joining them. By that point, the food had long gone cold, and so had Anna’s family’s enthusiasm.

He’s pushin’ me away, just as Beathan said.

But how far did Gordon actually want to push her? Did he want to push her away from the wedding entirely? Was that why he’d gone against her wishes, this one time—to push her as far from marrying him as possible? He was perceptive, he was clever, he was a military tactician; he must have known what would create doubt in her mind, enough to chase her off before the wedding could ever take place.

Is that it? Is that the truth of this? Has he… tricked me, the way I meant to trick all those Lairds?

Another piece of the puzzle seemed to fit, easing her confusion a little, but she wouldn’t know for certain unless she asked him.

“Ye’ll be the Lady of Lyall tomorrow,” Jackson said. “Use that power now to get someone to talk. I mean, ye got an entire castle to play yer games and tricks when ye were at home—if anyone can get a person to reveal where Gordon is, it’s ye. Aye, I think it’s high time ye used some of that Anna charm before ye’re bound to the man in holy matrimony. And if ye daenae like the answers he gives, I mean it when I say I’ll get ye out of here before mornin’.”

Anna sat up a little straighter, pushing off on the armrests to bring herself to her feet, her shoulders back and her chin up. In all her life, she had never backed down from a challenge, determined always to do things her own way, and she wouldn’t be changing that now.

“Excuse me, Braither,” she said, flashing him a grin. “I have an estranged betrothed to find.”