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Liam nodded, and he rushed to his boat. The other men that were with him jumped in as well. “Goodbye, Elizabeth. I shall tell them!”
“Thank you!” She called and laid her hand on her chest, watching them quickly push away from the shore and head out into the mist. She had done her duty. But what good could it do?
* * *
“With soldiers? What? Why?” Charlotte felt her stomach sink with dread as she stared at Liam. She knew that this was Lord Darling’s doing.
“I’m nae sure. Elizabeth didnae have time tae explain too much. There wasn’t much time. I moved as quickly as I could tae warn ye. But she mentioned that Lord Darling would want tae speak tae Angus, question him, perhaps even bring him back tae the Fort.”
Charlotte staggered back. Her whole world was coming down. At first, it had been blissful once she’d returned to Duart. She and Angus had made love, and the whole world was a dream. Now, it was a nightmare. “But what can I do? There’s no way to stop them now.” Her head began to spin with thoughts of what that evil Lord Darling would wish to do.
“Charlotte! Are ye all right, lass?” Liam reached for her gently, his eyes warm with concern.
“I feel like I’m going to faint. I don’t understand any of this. There is no need to bring soldiers. He could simply send a letter demanding my return, and I would follow. And where is my father?”
Liam held onto her arm. “Your father has gone for soldiers from another Fort.” Charlotte weakened a little, but Liam held fast. “Come, Charlotte. I will go with ye tae warn Angus. He will know what tae do. Is he better taeday?”
Faintly, Charlotte nodded. “Yes, he is much better, but I fear he is still too weak to fight if it should come to that, Liam.”
Unbidden tears sprang to her eyes. Liam soothed her, keeping his voice soft and calm. “Surely there will be nae need for that. Come.”
She followed his gentle prodding, and they ended up outside of Angus’ room upstairs in the castle. She knocked, quickly wiping the tears from her face with her other hand, and once they heard Angus’ voice, they both entered, grim looks on their faces.
Angus was in the middle of chewing a piece of bread when he looked up. His one eyebrow raised at the sight of both of them. He was still shirtless in bed, and Charlotte imagined that he was still bare beneath the sheets as well. He would not have expected Liam to enter his bedchamber this afternoon.
Liam began, talking speedily, “Angus, there’s a bit of trouble. I heard from Elizabeth Darling that Lord Darling is on his way here, and he brings soldiers with him.”
He stopped, and Angus merely looked at him with confusion. “Who is Elizabeth and Lord Darling, and why do they come in such an aggressive manner?”
Charlotte tried to speak clearly and with confidence, but her voice was soft and fearful. “Lord Darling is the Earl of Oxford. Remember the letter from my father? He is the man from the King sent to assist my father with the Fort and to deal with any issues relating to an impending war. I believe that they wish me to return to the Fort. They do not think it right that I came here.” Tears were pushing against her eyes, but she clenched her jaw and held them back.
Angus nodded slowly. “I see. Well, what could he wish tae do with me?”
Liam started, “Lord Darling’s daughter said that they mean tae question ye. They seem tae suspect ye of something.”
Angus’ face darkened. “The bloody Campbells are behind this, that is certain. I dinnae know what this man speaks of or why he should wish tae question me with soldiers at his side. Liam, ready the men. Just make sure they are prepared with weapons and are nearby when we greet the men at the shore.”
Liam nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Charlotte clasped her hands in front of her and tried to keep from trembling. “I’m so sorry, Angus. ‘Tis because I left, I am sure of it. Lord Darling means me to…to follow his orders. He did not wish me to come.” She couldn’t yet bring herself to tell him of her impending marriage. She didn’t want to spoil what they had between them. Certainly, this issue with Lord Darling would be dealt with swiftly once Charlotte agreed to return to the Fort and do whatever Lord Darling asked.
She was willing to do it now, especially if it could help Angus in any way. Angus moved the tray off his knees and slid out from under the bedsheets. He was naked, but he grabbed a kilt from a side table and hoisted it around his hips. Then, he pulled on the boots that lay askew nearby. After he stood, he reached for Charlotte and pulled her into his arms. Charlotte laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes. He was warm and soft, and she felt safe in his embrace as if nothing could ever hurt them again. It was a brief respite from the truth.
“’Tis nae ye, lass. ‘Tis some issue with the Campbells that brings this problem down on our heads. I will deal with it.”
“But what if there is a battle? You are still too weak to fight, Angus!”
Angus chuckled. “I wasnae too weak tae make love tae you many times this morning, was I?”
Charlotte tried to smile, but she could feel a tear slipping down her cheek. “That’s different. You were not in danger of losing your life then.”
“Was I nae? With ye changing from one emotion tae the next? First, ye love me, and then ye wish tae get away? Ye might’ve decided tae murder me in my own bed.” There was mirth in his voice. Charlotte knew he was just trying to make her feel calm. Her heart tightened at the mention of the word love.
She pulled away from his arms and looked up into his eyes. “Angus, this is serious. We must think of a plan. I will go back to my father and be the dutiful daughter. That should ease some of the tension. Then, they might leave you and the clan alone.” Angus held onto her hand and nodded in understanding, but now his smile was gone.
“Aye, lass. Ye must follow yer father’s orders.” He squeezed her fingers between his own. “But will ye come back tae me? Once this all is over?” He hesitated for a moment, his lips parted as he waited. Then he continued, “I love ye, Charlotte Andrews, and I never wish tae be parted from ye.”
Before Charlotte could reply, Liam arrived at the door again and said, “The men are preparing. The watchmen have seen their boats through the mist. They shall be here soon.”
Angus nodded tightly. “Remember lad, we shall avoid battle and bloodshed if we can help it. Nae sense in people dying over a simple matter.”
Liam left again, and Angus turned to Charlotte. He brushed a tear from her cheek. Charlotte could feel everything in her swell with happiness. Angus loved her. But her joy was quickly snuffed out. This should be a happy moment. Instead, it was fraught with fear, uncertainty, and the knowledge that they could never be. She replied, “I love you too, Angus, but—”
Angus kissed her, cutting off her words. His hands were on her face, and it was slow and gentle. Charlotte responded with fervor, wrapping her arms around him tightly, never wanting to let him go. He pulled away quickly and said, “Nae buts, lass. Nae yet.” Then he grabbed a shirt and threw it over his chest before taking his sword belt in hand. The buckles clanged as he worked to tie it around his waist.
“Come, we shall meet this Lord, and his men face tae face as Scotsmen do.”
