“Neilan MacKallan is a man wi’ powerful connections, Annista. So long as we are linked wi’ him—”
“He will protect ye, aye.”
Annista had heard all this before, back when Robena had been sent away to secure a marriage alliance with the powerful MacKallan family.
Thereby, as it had proved, sacrificing her life.
She looked her father in the eye. “Evan MacKallan is a madman.”
He recoiled a step. “Och, I do no’ think that is true, no’ at all.”
“He is subject to rages and—and dark fits. Ye saw what he did to Robena.”
Robert MacRowan’s features twisted with distress. “’Twas perhaps not the best match for her, nay.”
“Ye knew, when ye sent her, the man had a fearsome reputation.”
“And I thought Earl Neilan would keep her safe. ’Twas he arranged the match, after all. His lands are extensive, and he wanted to keep them fro’ English hands. That meant securing the succession through his son. ’Twas an honor to be connected wi’ so strong a house—”
“An honor!”
“I hoped your sister would do well there, such a biddable, obedient lass, no’ like—”
“No’ like me?” Annista’s eyes glowed with rage.
Her father grimaced. “Now I see, mayhap she never had a chance o’ standing up to a man such as Evan. I will admit, it ended badly.”
“So now ye will sacrifice me also? To that—that monster? To save yoursel’.”
What she should do, Annista thought bitterly, was pack up her things and leave. Do it tonight while the rain might cover her escape, and no one would see her go.
But where to flee? Rowan House was isolated, with miles of open country all around. There were her cousins in Inverness, if she could reach them. The very first place Father would look for her.
She lifted her chin. “Wha’ does Mother say to this?” And why was she not here helping Father apply pressure, if she agreed with him sending her younger daughter into a bartered marriage? She’d done enough speaking into Robena’s ear when that deal was made.And, no doubt, now felt guilt for it.
“Yer mother is unwell, since yer sister’s death.”
Aye, sick with remorse.
“But she fears for my life and her own welfare, if I go to prison for my faith and the estate is seized. D’ye ken what will happen to the rest o’ ye?”
They would be outcasts, paupers. Penniless. Would even her cousins dare take them in?
“So,” Annista said wretchedly, “Mother—just like ye—would sell me, even as ye did Robena.”
“Daughter,” desperation now filled his voice, “ye are strong. No’ like yer sister. I believe if ye go to marry Evan MacKallan, ye will give as good as ye get.”
Aye, she was stronger than Robena. But MacKallan was a demon. Was she strong enough?
“My answer,” she told her father slowly and clearly, “is nay.”
Anger suffused him, flushing his face once again. “Aye, ye always were a disobedient daughter. The troublesome one.” He flared, “The selfish one.”
Ah, for him to call her that!
“Ye should know,” she said, and walked from the room.
She should have expected her mother to come to her soon after. She loved her mother even as she loved her father, a sincere if dutiful sort of love.
