by Hyman, F. S.
§
Derek stared at the stable ceiling. What had he done? He had not come to the stable to force himself on Annabelle. He wanted to tell her that she was not to confront him in front of his men or his family. Her words echoed in his mind. I hate ye, Derek MacDougal. Never doubt that. He ran his hand over his face. He had never forced a woman before and he did not understand why he had done it now.
Annabelle had a right to be angry. He had not rejected Maura’s advances at all. In fact, he had been amused by them until her kiss. If Annabelle had not interrupted, he would have stopped Maura. But what had made him angry was that Annabelle confronted him in front of all in the keep.
Derek sat up and looked around. The horse Annabelle saddled was standing idly by. He stood up and removed its bit and saddle and led it back into its stall. He had not expected to see tears or her trying to leave him. He felt something turn in his gut at the thought of her leaving. He wanted her to know that she belonged to him and that he would not let her go. It had gotten out of hand. He could not see past the anger he felt toward her. He wanted to teach her a lesson. She was too headstrong for her own good. She needed to know her place.
Derek sighed and walked back to the keep. Should he apologize? He heard her words again. I hate ye, Derek MacDougal. Her voice had been void of emotion despite a slight tremor. He had felt her tears on his cheek as he thrust into her. He quickened his pace but was intercepted by his mother.
“Derek MacDougal, what did ye do to that poor lass? She came inside and asked Tobias to show her to her chamber. Her clothes were wrinkled and I saw the beginnings of a bruise coming up on her face,” she stormed toward him.
Brighid was a small woman, but she made up for it with her presence and confidence. Her golden air was more white than gold but it still was a testament to her beauty. He could see the concern and displeasure in her grey eyes.
Derek frowned as he remembered striking Annabelle.
“Who is she, Derek? I could see she was trying to hold back tears.”
“My wife,” he grumbled trying to get past his mother.
“Yer wife? Tell me how that came about later, but first I want to ken why ye struck her. Ye were nay raised to strike women, Derek,” she reproved.
“She needed to learn her place. She had nae right to confront me in front of the entire keep. She needed to ken who was in control,” he growled at his mother.
“In control? Ye call that control? I can tell that she has spirit, but will ye break it, Derek, over pride? I watched as she handled Maura. If ye ask me, that lass had it coming to her.”
Derek smiled faintly.
“How came she to be yer wife? When we left Dunkirk ye were rutting after Eilidh?” Brighid asked. He saw the disapproval on her face. She hardly ever said anything to him about his actions, but he sometimes saw the disappointment on her face. He always ignored it.
“’Tis a long story, mither,” he sighed. He would have to tell them, but now was not the time. He needed to find Annabelle.
“I have time to hear it, Derek,” his mother chuckled.
“Later. I must go find Annabelle.”
“And do what? Are ye going to insert yer will again? Ye think ye want her submissive and placid, Derek, but ye doona,” she said to him running her hand over his cheek like she did when he was a lad.
He shook her hand away and stormed toward the keep.
§
Annabelle closed the chamber door behind her. Tobias told her that this was the chamber Derek used every time he visited Bondlach. It was not elaborately furnished, but it looked comfortable with a huge bed in the middle of the room. There was a table with a bowl and pitcher of water against one wall.
Annabelle walked over to the single window and was surprised by the view of the fields behind the keep. They were extensive and she could see the villagers working in them. She turned back to the bed and sat down on the corner. She touched the place on her face where Derek had struck her. It was sore and she knew that a bruise was beginning to show by the look everyone she passed had given her.
She dashed away a tear. She had never been struck before. Even her father with his temper, had never laid a hand on her. She felt angry and hurt. She was more angry than hurt. She vowed that that would be the first and last time Derek laid a hand on her in any way.
She stood again and walked to the window. He wanted to control her, then she would give him what he wanted. He wanted a wife who was docile and pretended that she was oblivious to the things going on around her, then that’s what she would give him. Then when his guard was down, she would make her escape. She was not about to stay in a situation like this.
Annabelle lay on the bed with her back to the door. It would be a while before the evening meal. She did not want to face anyone. She knew that there would be a bruise on her face where Derek had struck her. She gingerly touched it and winced at the pain. She wiped another tear from her face and closed her eyes.
“Annabelle,” she heard from the chamber door.
She turned onto her other side to see who it could be. There stood a beautiful, small woman with almost white hair. Her grey eyes looked at Annabelle with concern and compassion. Annabelle turned away from her. She refused to cry another tear and the compassion in the woman’s eyes brought her close.
The woman closed the chamber door and walked over to the bed and sat down. She rested her hand on Annabelle’s shoulder.
“Ye remind me a little of me when I was yer age, lass. Weel, I amnae that different now,” she chuckled. “I recognized yer spirit when I saw ye walk into the hall with my son, and ye proved it when ye confronted Maura. I like that about ye, and I ken that my son likes that about ye too.”
Annabelle snorted.
“When Derek was younger, he was the smallest of the bunch and he grew up having to prove that he was a warrior. He grew into a big strong handsome mon and he hasnae been challenged by anyone in a long time. His pride was pricked when ye challenged him in front of the other men,” she continued.
Annabelle turned toward Derek’s mother. There was a small smile on Brighid’s face.
“I ken yer pride was pricked and ye may be thinking of ways to avenge yerself,” she paused and looked at Annabelle.
Annabelle smiled at her. She liked Derek’s mother.
“What do ye plan to do?”
Annabelle looked at the woman and decided that she could tell her what she had planned.
“I plan to give Derek what he wants. If he wants submissive, I will give him submissive and then when his guard is down, I will go back to my parents.”
Brighid frowned.
“I like it, except I doona think ye should leave him.”
“I will leave him. I willnae stay with a mon who would strike me when the mood hits him. I amnae used to such treatment, and my Da willnae tolerate it,” Annabelle replied defiantly.
“Aye, I agree that that was abominable, but I have a better plan,” she smiled.
Annabelle looked at her skeptically.
“Go with the submissiveness, but instead of leaving him, make him fall in love with ye. Derek has never given his heart to a woman. He ruts around with them as he pleases, but he never gives more no matter how much they want it. I have watched him for years, and I kenned there was nothing I could do to stop him. I only hoped that one day he would find a woman that was different enough to change him. Be that one that makes it different for him.”
“How do I do that? I canna compete with all of the hures he keeps at every stop. He doesnae seem to want to stop bedding every woman he sees. I canna offer him anything he canna already get from them,” Annabelle said wrapping her arms around herself.
“Aye, but ye do, lass. I can tell that ye already engage his interest more than the others. He usually beds one woman while looking at another. But with ye, his eyes never stray.”
Annabelle snorted again.
“Weel, how do you explain Maura? He didnae seem to notice me then.”
“Of course he noticed ye. Doona ye think he was comparing her to ye?”
Annabelle laughed.
“Nay, I doona.”
“Trust me on this, Annabelle. Make Derek fall in love with ye. That will be punishment enough,” she smirked.
“I doona like thinking that his loving me is punishment.”
Brighid laughed.
“He will feel that way, but he willnae let ye go and he willnae ever stray. Trust me, I ken. I married a MacDougal,” she winked.
“How will I accomplish it?”
“Ye will think of a way. It isnae hard to get a mon to fall in love, lass. Just be yerself. I ken that is what attracts him to ye.”
Annabelle nodded.
“Come, let me put this salve on yer bruise. It will take away the sting and help it fade,” she said pulling a jar of salve from her pocket.
Annabelle sat on the edge of the bed and let Brighid minister to her.
“Thank ye,” she said quietly.
“I think ye are good fer Derek,” she said patting Annabelle on her shoulder.
Chapter 18
“Derek!”
Derek growled and turned toward the voice. It belonged to his father, and standing with him were his brothers and Tobias. Derek looked up the stairs, and then walked to where his father was standing. He would have to talk to Annabelle later.
“Aye,” he said as he got closer to the men.
His father’s face was a mask of displeasure. Derek stood his full height and awaited what he was sure to come.
“I demand an explanation!” he bellowed at his youngest son.
Derek saw the smirks and smiles on the other men’s faces. This was how it had been when they were younger and one of them got into trouble. The others would stand around and laugh. He wasn’t a lad anymore, and he was not about to explain anything. His life was his own and he could deal with it as he pleased.
“There is nothing to explain, Da,” he said in a low voice. He saw Aster glance at Jace. They stood behind his father so that he could see them clearly.
“The hell ye say! Who was that lass?”
Derek glanced at Jace, Aster, and Tobias again before he answered. He knew that they would be amused by his answer.
“My wife,” he mumbled.
“What?” his father demanded.
“My wife,” he said louder, looking at the shock on their faces. Aster’s held the smirk.
“Yer wife!” Laird Breac howled.
All conversation ceased in the hall and all eyes turned toward the group.
“Let’s move this somewhere more private,” Tobias suggested as he led them to his study.
The chamber was warm and inviting. Each wall held a bookshelf that was filled with books. Tobias’ large wooden desk took up most of the room, and it was stacked high with books and parchments. Tobias took the chair behind the desk. Laird Breac and Jace sat in the chairs on the other side facing Tobias. Aster sat on a small settee off the side of the chamber, and Derek leaned his shoulder against the mantle.
“What do ye mean yer wife? When I left ye at Dunkirk, ye were sniffing around that Eilidh! How came ye by a wife?” Laird Breac came right to the point.
Derek surveyed the men. He knew that if he did not tell them everything, it would be very late before he was able to talk to Annabelle, and by then she probably would not be receptive to anything he had to say.
He sighed and pushed away from the mantle. He stood with his arms across his chest and relayed the whole story to them.
“Ye did what? Ye compromised a woman who was promised to another? I canna believe what I am hearing!” Laird Breac yelled as he stood up.
Derek unfolded his arms and took a step back. Although he was the same size as his father, Laird Breac was still a force to reckon with.
“I was drunk and I thought I had gone to Eilidh’s chamber,” he said by way of explanation.
“’Tis no excuse! I kenned that one day something like this would happen!” he said in disgust.
Aster came to his defense.
“Da, ‘tis of nae consequence. Laird Harold has been murdered. Annabelle would be a widow, even though she doesnae remember it,” he reasoned with his father.
Laird Breac stared at Aster and then Derek, and huffed. He walked over to the window looking out over Bondlach fields.
“Derek, what did Broc say about Laird Harold’s nephew?” Jace asked him, leaning forward in his chair.
“He said he wasnae sure if this Julian had anything to do with murder, but that he dinna trust him. He said that he would have been next in line to be laird if Laird Harold hadnae married.”
“Do they have any proof that he was involved?”
“Nay, but most of the clan perished from the poisoned drink and food, only a few were left. He was one of them and said that he had only begun to eat when everything happened. He was mildly sickened,” Derek explained.
“That doesnae mean that he is responsible,” Tobias said. “What did Broc say they were doing to find out what happened and who did it?”
“He said they wasnae sure what to do because it would be hard to investigate living in the keep with Julian. They wanted our help,” he said looking at his father and brothers.
“Of course we will help,” Laird Breac said turning back toward the room. “The McInnises are a part of our allegiance. We will begin after we return from court.”
All the men nodded in agreement.
“One thing,” Aster said as the men filed out of the study. “Annabelle doesnae remember getting married?”
“Nay, she doesnae,” Derek said looking pointedly at all of them. “I thought it best that she doesnae ken it so that we can keep her safe with us until we find out what happened. Broc says that they assume she died somewhere between Dunwiche and Kinloch, and if whoever killed the McInnises believes that also, then she is safe.”
Aster nodded his agreement.
“I am glad ye are finally using yer brain to think with,” Laird Breac said. The men broke into laughter.
§
Derek watched as Annabelle and his mother walked into the hall arm in arm. He was sitting at a table with his brothers and father. Laird Breac stood as Brighid approached where he sat. Derek noticed the change in his expression as she drew near. It always amazed him that a man as strong as his father was so soft when it came to his mother. But it never diminished the power he exuded. He was not sure that he would be able to let any woman do that to him.
Derek looked at his wife as she stopped beside the table. Her face was expressionless as she watched him.
“Sit,” he said to her indicating a spot next to him.
Surprisingly, she did as she was told and sat down beside him. He winced as he noticed the bruise on her face. He reached out to touch it. Annabelle sat motionless.
“I am sorry that I struck ye, Annabelle,” he said quietly, letting his hand trail down her cheek.
Annabelle pasted a smile on her face and turned to him.
“’Tis alright, my laird.”
Derek tried to see the expression in her eyes, but she kept them downcast.
“Nay, ‘tis nae alright. I have never done so before and I vow I willnae do so again,” he said, willing her to look up at him.
Annabelle held her breath. She had not expected to get an apology from Derek, and she was now caught off guard. She glanced at Brighid, who nodded her encouragement.
“Thank ye, my laird. I willnae give ye reason to have to do so again,” she said softly.
Derek frowned. She was different, but he was not sure quite what it was. All he knew was that he was vaguely irritated by it. The maids laid trenchers before them, and the conversation turned to other things. Derek looked over at Annabelle, but she sat quietly eating. She only talked when a question was directed at her and her answers were short.
“Are ye alright, Annabelle? Ye are quiet,” he leaned over and asked her.
“Aye, my laird. I am fine,” she said, not lo
oking up at him.
At that moment, Maura walked into the hall. Her nose was swollen from where Annabelle had punched her. She surveyed the hall and her eyes lit on Derek and Annabelle. Annabelle never looked up, but she was aware that the woman was in the hall. She waited to see what the woman would do or say, and she braced herself to maintain her vow to be passive and submissive. She knew it would be hard, but she wanted Derek to have what he wanted in a wife even if it killed her in the process.
“Derek,” Maura purred as she sat on the other side of him. Annabelle strained to keep her mouth shut and stay seated.
Derek turned toward the woman. Annabelle watched his reaction from the side of her eyes. He had a smile on his face, which irritated her but she kept eating.
“Do ye see what that woman did to my beautiful face? Does it turn ye off?” Maura asked him, sending a scathing look Annabelle’s way. Annabelle suppressed a smile and took a sip of her ale without looking Maura’s way.
“Weel, lass,” Derek began. “It does change yer appearance somewhat.”
There were snickers heard around the table. Annabelle glanced at Brighid, who was barely holding in her laughter.
Maura pouted and slid a little closer to Derek on the bench.
“But does my face offend ye, Derek? I was told that the salve I used on it will heal it quickly. There is no change to the rest of me,” she said pushing her breast against his arm.
Derek sent a look Annabelle’s way, but she had her face averted. He remembered the last time Maura pressed against him. It did not turn out well.
“Aye, I see there isnae,” he said, sliding his eyes down what he could see of her frame.
He heard a clank from beside him and turned as Annabelle stood from the table.
“Where are ye going?” he demanded.
Annabelle started to make a heated retort, but remembered her commitment at the last moment and pasted a serene look on her face.
“I was going outdoors, my laird, with yer permission of course. I was finished with my meal,” she said quietly.
Derek eyed her a little surprised. He had braced himself for a caustic remark, but the serene look and quietness to her voice caught him off guard.
