“Goodnight.” She curtsied politely and started for the back entry of the dais where she could disappear to the back passages. Kenrick followed, but she didn’t pay him any mind.
“So, was it my presence making ye ill, or are ye genuinely not feeling well, sweetheart?” he asked, as they walked. She tried to walk faster, but his stride was larger. She successfully ignored him, until he grasped her arm and forced her to look at him.
“Leave me alone!” Anna hissed, trying to break free.
Kenrick shook his head, lowering his voice to a softer more serious tone. “Never.” He lifted a gentle hand to her face. “Your life has changed Anna, the sooner ye come to terms with that the better.”
She snapped her chin away. “Blasted man, I just want to go to bed!”
Kenrick smiled. “Aye, me too, with you. One word, and I’ll have the reverend here to marry us tonight.”
Anna paled, she had heard about some of the things that happened between men and women, and the thought of it happening with her, and this brute before her made her shake. “Now, I really need to lie down.”
Kenrick couldn’t contain the laughing then. “All right, sweetheart, I will make ye a deal.”
She didn’t like his line of thought on this.
“You don’t try to do anything to interfere with the wedding, and I will deposit ye at your chamber. I will also get up and escort ye to Marisol’s tomorrow to get your oils.”
Anna glared into his smoky eyes, which appeared dulled by the poor lighting in the hallway. She was far from pleased that he harbored doubts about her, even though he was right. “I won’t insult your intelligence; I’m not pleased about our betrothal. I’m sure many other women would love to be in the position I find myself, but I am not them.”
Kenrick admired her honesty, appraising her with more respect. Many men found it difficult to look him in the eye and tell him something he didn’t want to hear. However, whatever fantasy she contrived in her mind needed to be expelled. “Well, we have a few days yet to get to know each other, Anna. Ye can start by calling me Kenrick.”
Anna violently shook her head. “No. I think you missed my meaning—”
Kenrick interrupted, “No, sweetheart. I think ye miss mine.” He bent down and grasped her face pulling her in for their first kiss. He was unyielding, forcing her to comply as his lips danced with hers.
Anna went into a brief shock. When he wouldn’t let her get away, she bit down on a small piece of flesh.
It had the immediate desired affect. Kenrick released her from the kiss, letting a small curse drop from his lips. Peering down at her with disapproval dripping from his eyes, he touched his lips and saw the predictable blood.
Anna pushed away, fearful of his retaliation. It surprised her to see humour return to his face.
“I’ll consider that your free pass. I should not have taken advantage of my duties.”
Anna examined him, wondering if he was actually letting her off the hook.
When they began to walk again, he once more brought up the wedding. “Ye never answered my proposal,” Kenrick stated, hoping she would give him some kind of indication that she understood what was inevitable.
Anna still didn’t say anything. Her long pause was followed by her indignant dismissal. “I’ve made some candles, I can work on the others without the oil. I do not need favors from you.” Reaching her door, she opened it and attempted to disappear inside without addressing anything.
Instead, he pulled her to him. “I want an answer!” he insisted.
Anna pulled free, crossly. “I make no promises. Especially if I can get free of our arrangement.”
“Well the only way ye would get out of that is to cause a war. The joining of the clans is happening,” Kenrick stated. “Sleep well, my sweet. I will see you on the morrow, at chapel.” Leaning in, he kissed her cheek.
He began to walk away, but before he took a real step, he turned back. “I think I should tell ye, I will have my man Angus sitting outside your door in case you should need something. He has instruction to come to me if ye attempt to leave your chamber – until we are married.”
Anna disappeared behind her door and slammed it.
Kenrick began to chuckle. This girl was far from what he had expected, but he had an appreciation for her grit. He continued to chuckle as he made his way back to his own quarters. After riding all night, he had been exhausted when the castle came into view. His second wind came when he went riding with his bride-to-be, but now the entire event was hitting him. He needed to lay his head to a pillow. When he thought of Anna, he knew Angus would never abandon his commitment to inform him of her actions. She wasn’t disappearing into the night like she might hope, and he could get enough sleep to be back on his game tomorrow.
Chapter 4
For two days Anna kept to her room. Skipping Christmas wasn’t something she could ever remember happening, but she sent her gifts down to her family, and faked being ill, even to her maid Charlotte. Hearing the carols from the hall nearly undid her. Charlotte had informed her that Kenrick had come by a few times to check on her. But she wasn’t in the mood for company. She dressed, ate, and thought of a way to escape. It was her hope that when he least expected her to leave, she would disappear to the barns and bolt.
A little past two AM on the third day, she dressed in britches and an old shirt and jacket that had belonged to her brother. She was more prepared than she had been for the first escape attempt, with more food packed away. Peeking into the hall, she was fairly confident that everyone was in their beds. It was also pleasing to see that no guard was on her door. It was the one thing that could halt her exit.
Flying down the corridor, she stayed in the darkness. There was no noise, so it seemed she had been correct at using this time. Going down the stairs to the kitchen, she again cautiously listened, but there was no one around. In the blink of an eye she was out the door and bolting for the stables.
The cold Scottish wind bit into her cheeks, when she quietly saddled Quince and led him to the gate. Darby was sleeping soundly in a cot, but her heart hit her throat once when Quince neighed loudly. Anna ducked behind the animal, almost certain that Darby would awaken and catch her. She had a plan to knock him out if he did, but would prefer not to. He was a kind man, and did not deserve the headache.
It wasn’t until she hit the main path an hour or so into her ride that she began to relax. The road was covered with a soft dusting of snow, and a light sprinkle was falling. That meant that her tracks would soon be covered, hopefully before anyone noticed that she was missing. Wrapping a tartan more tightly around herself, she kept her focus steady. She had to get to Dunlop Castle. She had to plead for sanctuary from her grandmother, who would no doubt be flustered with her for abandoning her duties, but welcoming in time.
When Charlotte walked in to wake up Anna, she knew instantly something was wrong. The bed had not been slept in, and a small note on the nightstand had her name scrolled across it. Anna had been teaching her how to read, but she was still far from her goals.
It read: Charlotte, I had to leave. I will send word when I am safe. I know you must tell my family, but please wait if possible. I need a good head start. Burn this letter. XO Anna
With trembling hands, Charlotte read the words a few times, before getting the full message. Anna was gone, and she didn’t want her to notify everyone? The laird would skin her. She cursed Anna for putting her in this dreadful position. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she tearfully crumbled the note and decided she had to do what was right. If Anna did not marry the Mackenzie, a war could erupt between the clans. Also, Anna wasn’t thinking clearly, and could get hurt trying to flee to wherever she was headed. If she was killed or seriously hurt, Charlotte would never be able to forgive herself.
Uncrumpling the letter, she mentally apologised to her lady and bolted for the hall. She needed to find The Falcon and Laird Campbell.
Rushing down the corridor, she heard the clock
chime seven. Many would be breaking their fast, but usually the earl and countess slept in until nine. She approached his chamber door and softly knocked. A servant would be around to answer it. Sure enough, on the second rap, Felix opened the door, looking surprised to see Charlotte.
Felix was an older gentleman, and a groom to the earl. His uniform was spotless, as usual. His bushy eyebrows were raised in alert. “Charlotte?” he questioned, “What’s wrong?”
No one bothered the earl at that hour, unless something was amiss. “I need to speak to the laird, Felix. It concerns Lady Annalise.” Felix nodded, apprehensive of what calamity was about to befall the castle. “One moment!” he stated, closing the door and going to inform the earl of the issue. Aleck stumbled from his bed to assemble his robe, and nodded for Felix to allow the girl to enter.
“Forgive me, my Laird.” Charlotte stuttered. “Lady Annalise is gone.”
It seemed like impossible words to say aloud, and she couldn’t stop shaking. Charlotte had done nothing wrong, but she still felt like some accomplice that would be berated with questions and accusations.
“Gone?” Aleck repeated. “What do ye mean she is gone?”
“She is gone, sir.” She withdrew the letter from her pocket and handed it to him.
Scanning it, he looked at Felix. “Find Kenrick. I must dress.” Then he looked at the young maid. “Ye did the proper thing, Charlotte. Now think, do ye know where she might have fled to?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No, sir. She never spoke about it. She just moped around her room the past few days. I was certain she was just not herself.”
The older man nodded. “Well, I will dress and be down in the hall shortly, I want you to go back to her room and see what she has taken for her journey. It might offer a clue.”
Charlotte nodded, grateful to be dismissed, and fled to the corridor.
“Aleck, what’s happening?” Rosalyn asked, just becoming aware of the commotion. She was stretching, trying to rid herself of the tiredness.
“Seems our daughter has decided she wants to do things the hard way,” Aleck stated in a thick brogue. He was lacing his boots, trying to hang on to his very volcanic temper. The angrier he was, the thicker his accent became. “She’s left the castle. I need you to dress quickly, so we can get down to the hall.”
Rosalyn felt a stab of fear, knowing that a woman riding alone was a target, especially with roving bands of bandits. She had heard The Falcon’s tale just days ago. Ultimately, Anna was her baby, her daughter, and any mother would be terrified over the same scenario.
Why did Anna have to be so reckless? she asked herself, thinking of the fight that the dishonor would bring upon their clan. Mackenzies and Campbells needed to be bonded by blood and the sooner the better. A young woman crossing the country unchaperoned could be cause for Kenrick to cancel the betrothal.
Pulling on her dress, she let Aleck lace the corset tight. Normally she would have taken time to do her hair, but the quicker they formed a search party, the better.
The entire castle was assembled in the hall by the time the earl and countess arrived. Kenrick walked up to them, a mix of emotions swimming in his head. Anger and fear were the two greatest, along with confusion over how this could have happened. He had sent a man to check the stables and bring Darby to them.
After the second night, he had allowed Angus to abandon his post at midnight; it was unfair to keep him there for no purpose. Now he regretted the decision. His mind switched back to Darby. He had seen the love in the young man’s eyes. If she fled on horse, how was it that the boy had no idea? Unless, of course, he was an accomplice? Somehow Kenrick doubted it, but he had a lot of questions.
“Lady Annalise has left the castle, and no one is certain where she has chosen to flee to,” Aleck stated. “We need every man to be ready to join the search parties.”
Darby entered with Kenrick’s man, looking horrified. “My laird, I must have been asleep. I’m so sorry,” he sputtered and cried, looking to Kenrick as well. “I normally wake when someone is in the barn, sir, but Lady Anna knows how to saddle a horse. She must have been very careful.”
Kenrick shook his head, a bit relieved that she had a horse, but it meant that they were without a time frame and she likely had a good head start. “If you have assisted her, Darby, I will flog you myself!” His voice was stern, and he watched for the young man’s response.
“Honestly, my lord, I swear on my soul I had nothing to do with her escape.” The young man sobbed, buckling at the knees in front of such an intimidating foe. If Darby was seventeen, that was all he was, and he looked maybe twelve. Kenrick used his gut on occasions of interrogation and it was telling him the boy was being truthful.
Shifting his attention, he asked those assembled, “Is there anywhere in Scotland she might think someone would protect her?” It hurt to think she was fleeing him, but he tried to remind himself that she didn’t know him. Momentarily, he was angered and stunned she would think anywhere would be safe from him.
Rosalyn called out, “The Countess of Moray, Eara! My mother’s home is Dunlop Castle! She might be thinking to go there.”
Aleck looked at his wife with pride. He was certain that his wife could be right. His mother-in-law would be the most likely choice. First of all, she was a powerful lady, one of the most powerful in Scotland. Second, she had been forced into a marriage when very young and despised her family for it. Thirdly, she adored Anna. If there were any place of solace in all of Scotland that Annalise could find, it would be with Eara. Aleck hated the thought of going there, but there was little choice.
Kenrick knew her reputation well, but had never met the woman. She was widowed at fifty, and had never remarried. She was a shrewd landowner, with enough wealth to make even kings kiss her rings. She was known to be in possession of some of Queen Mary’s jewels after decades of controversy, although, smart enough to not disclose what.
“The Countess of Moray, well, she is known to be—” Kenrick started.
His would-be father-in-law interrupted, “A bitch! Aye, that is Eara. Well, it seems we are off to Dunlop Castle, lads. I would say that is where my daughter is venturing,” the earl spat. Kissing his wife’s cheek, he offered an apology. “I need you here, in case other news arrives. I’m sorry.”
Rosa would have wished to accompany them, but knew this would not be a pleasurable visit. She looked disappointed, but didn’t question his order.
Kenrick nodded to his men, and then pointed to the reverend. “I would like you to accompany me as well, sir.”
This made the reverend step back in appeal. He looked to his laird, as he was vehemently opposed to going on such an expedition, travel at this time of year was so uncomfortable. “My laird, I am needed here, not running around Scotland.” He reasoned, “What use am I to an angry bridegroom, chasing his runaway betrothed?”
Kenrick never missed a beat in his reply. “When I find her, I plan on murdering her with my bare hands or marrying her immediately. That will give me the full right to whip her senseless for her brainless and dangerous acts. Regardless, we shall need a man of God to perform a ceremony – wedding or funeral.”
The earl half chuckled, realizing The Falcon’s sense of humor. Then re-evaluating the scenario, he agreed. “All right, the reverend shall accompany us. I will come along to ensure the marriage occurs. Darby, ready our horses!”
At a little past noon the following day, Anna rode into the massive courtyard. The guards recognised her tartan, and she flung free her hood to dispel any questions that she was truly Lady Annalise. Her grandmother met her at the entryway, looking horrified, and relieved that the girl was unharmed.
“I should skin you, child for setting out like you’ve done!” Eara was a strict woman, known for her temper.
Anna had expected it, but was quickly on the defense. They walked into a large formal sitting area, colorfully festooned in rich seasonal colors. A tree was decorated in the corner, but was much smaller than
the grand one in the entrance.
“Grandmother, please! I just cannot marry The Falcon. I beg of you to protect me. I won’t be any trouble and I promise I will do as you bid of me,” Anna pled, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“You do know they will know immediately where to find you, child?” Eara stated pouring them both some hot tea. “I call your father an idiot, but he is actually a very intelligent creature at times.”
Anna smiled, knowing the history between her grandmother and father. There was certainly no love lost. “I’m sure they will come, but if I have you…” She smiled as she tried to charm the older lady, and knew it was partly working.
“Finish your tea. I’ll have the maid draw you a hot bath. Foolish girl, you could have caught your death out there on the roads this time of year!” Eara hissed, ringing the bell for the servants. Her stomach turned as she contemplated everything that could have happened. “I bet you never slept either?”
Anna hadn’t, she was too cold and had hurried to reach the safety of these walls.
“I will think about the options while you rest. In the morning, we will convene and discuss the issues.” Eara was examining her granddaughter with new eyes. She was young, beautiful, and of marriageable age. The Falcon had a reputation that preceded him, much like her own. However, while she had heard of his notoriety, it was his generosity that had her contemplating whether the man was worthy.
Anna put down her glass and went to respectfully kiss her grandmother’s cheek. “Thank you, Granny,” she sighed, then walked with a servant toward the first bit of refuge she had had in days.
After a luxurious bath with cinnamon scented soap, Anna plopped on the bed and drifted off into a peaceful slumber. The fire in her room was lulling her, a comfort that the night before had failed to provide. It was the first time in a week that she felt safe.
She was curious if they had started out in search of her yet, or if Charlotte had prolonged the delay as Anna had asked. A pain of regret settled on her at knowing what she had asked of someone who was more of a friend then maid. Her father might have whipped her, thinking she might be hiding more than she was letting on. It had been an unfair necessity, she rationalized. After her bath, and a bite to eat, she tucked herself beneath the glorious covers and fell asleep. She had dreamed of her head cuddling into a pillow.
A Spanking Good New Year: Short Story Collection Page 17
