by Stone, Jenna
“Thank ye,” Rowan said as he tucked the necklace into his pocket. “Malcolm, take Anna tae see if the Kirk is unlocked,” he said, motioning to the quaint stone chapel situated in the center of the courtyard. “Mayhap she can pray for our souls?”
Malcolm gladly took Anna’s elbow and steered her towards the stone chapel, grateful to finally have some time alone with her. He threaded her hand into the crook of his arm and walked slowly, savoring the feel of her hand against his skin.
“What are they planning, Malcolm?” Anna said suspiciously as she glanced over her shoulder, watching Quinn and Rowan disappear from her line of sight.
“They’re going tae get us a place to stay and hopefully some supper,” Malcolm assured her dismissively as he reached for the handle on the simple wooden door of the chapel. Finding it unlocked, he opened the door and let Anna go through first, then followed her into the small room. The last visitor to the chapel had left the stubs of a few candles burning on the altar, which lent an inviting glow to the room. Malcolm led Anna up to the first pew and stood beside her, still holding her hand.
“I’m not as naive as you think, Malcolm. What are they planning?” Anna prodded, reclaiming her hand from Malcolm and sitting on the edge of the wooden pew.
“Ye look real pretty in the candle light,” Malcolm said, awestruck as he watched the candlelight flicker across Anna’s delicate skin.
“I would caution you against trying to change the subject. What are your brothers doing, Malcolm?” Anna insisted, annoyance heavy in her voice.
Malcolm sighed heavily. His mind spun in a frantic effort to concoct a lie, but the truth was that Malcolm was not a practiced liar.
“Generally, if there is an inn in a village, it will have a tavern. And if there is a tavern, there are most likely cards or …” Malcolm trailed off.
“So they’re gambling!” Anna exclaimed, rolling her eyes. “I knew that they were up to no good!” she said, shaking her head in disapproval and crossing her arms.
“How else do ye expect tae get supper?” Malcolm asked, finding gambling a perfectly logical way to earn a meal.
“Well, I hadn’t thought about it. Shouldn’t you and your brothers be able to hunt?”
“We can hunt. We’re great at it, especially Quinn, mind ye. But what do ye expect us tae hunt with? Our bare hands?” Malcolm laughed at the ridiculousness of her suggestion.
“I suppose not,” Anna conceded, realizing that under present circumstances, they had very limited options. She sighed in exasperation and stood from the wooden pew, walking quietly up to the front of the small church, drawn like a moth to the candlelight. Anna had never been overly religious, despite years of religious training at the insistence of her mother. She sank to her knees in front of the flickering candles. If there was ever a time when she needed a miracle, that time was now. She felt so alone, adrift in this uncertain New World. Anna was not used to being at the mercy of others, but she opened her heart in an effort to accept whatever help she could get; divine or otherwise.
Thoughts of Jonathan Arbor and Rowan Murray swirled through her troubled mind. Anna knew that the survival of Stanton Place was dependant upon her betrothal to Jonathan Arbor. She expected that her mother had already received the first half of her bride price, which amounted to two hundred and fifty pounds. The second half of the money would arrive after her marriage to Arbor.
Anna’s eyes were drawn up to the flickering candles on the altar.
Could she really marry a man that she did not love?
Anna closed her eyes and rested her forehead on her folded hands.
She had thought that she was strong enough to carry through with her betrothal. But with every look of his intense green eyes, Rowan Murray had forced her to question her decision. And when Rowan had kissed her, Lord above! Anna felt such an inexplicable connection with Rowan that her heart forced her to question if she could indeed follow through with her betrothal to Arbor.
An hour passed quietly as Anna knelt in front of the flickering candles, lost in her thoughts, questioning the righteousness of her decision to come to the New World. The flame of the last candle sputtered and then failed, cloaking the small chapel in darkness.
“I’m sorry, Malcolm,” Anna said softly as she turned around. “I was lost in my thoughts. How long has it been?”
“Not too long,” Malcolm lied coolly. The truth was that he had been lost in his own thoughts, watching Anna contently. The flickering candlelight accentuated her honey blonde hair. He had savored the alluring curve of her spine and the distinctly feminine way that she rested the curves of her bum on the arches of her feet as she knelt at the alter. The truth was Malcolm could have spent the rest of his life watching Anna Stanton quite contently.
“Should we worry about your brothers? Do you think that they’re alright?” Anna asked, suddenly concerned that Rowan and Quinn had not returned.
“Doona fash yerself about them. They’ll be fine. Mayhap this is a good chance for us tae get to know one another better,” Malcolm said, smiling shyly as he invited Anna to sit down next to him on the pew by patting the place next to him on the bench.
Anna couldn’t help noticing how young Malcolm looked in the candlelight. His rounded face still had the glow of childhood, yet the first traces facial hair were beginning to show as fuzz along the lines of his jaw. Malcolm couldn’t be more than fifteen years old and what an adventurous life he had led so far! Surviving a shipwreck and coming to the New World with his older brothers.
“How old are you, Malcolm?” Anna asked.
“Old enough,” Malcolm responded, squaring his shoulders and knitting together his eyebrows as if insulted.
Anna giggled unexpectedly at Malcolm’s attempt to look more grown up. She had a quick flashback to her own younger years, remembering vividly what it felt like to yearn to be all grown up.
“Fifteen?” she asked, deciding to guess if he refused to divulge his age.
“Seventeen and a half,” Malcolm huffed, dismayed by her badgering. “I had tae grow up fast,” he added for extra measure, “After Mam and Da passed, I wasna given much choice,” he said, eyes downcast.
“I’m sorry,” Anna offered and reached out to pat him reassuringly on his knee. She suddenly regretted teasing Malcolm. There was no doubt in her mind that Malcolm had seen some horrific events in his short life.
“I’m no a child,” Malcolm spoke sternly, green eyes lifting up to hold her gaze intently. Malcolm grabbed hold of her hand and stopped her from patting his knee. “I’ll show ye that I’m no a child if ye give me the chance, Anna,” he said, squeezing her hand and leaning closer to her on the pew.
Anna squeezed his hand in return, “I know that your not a child, Malcolm,” she whispered, treading carefully so as not to hurt the boy further.
“Give me a chance tae love ye. Give me a chance tae show ye…”
“How could you possibly love me? You have only just met me!” Anna exclaimed, taken aback by the boy’s proposal.
“But yer sae beautiful, and I…”
The door to the chapel swung open noisily, startling Anna and Malcolm. Anna moved to retract her hand from Malcolm’s grasp but he refused to relinquish her hand. Her heart raced in her chest.
Quinn and Rowan romped jovially up the aisle, laughing heartily as they stormed into the dark room.
“Still hungry, Malcolm?” Rowan asked, voice brimming with enthusiasm.
“More than ye can imagine,” Malcolm looked longingly at Anna and gave her hand a final squeeze before releasing it.
Anna sighed with relief and brought her hand to rest in her lap. She knew that Malcolm was not talking about the needs of his stomach.
“Did ye pray for our souls?” Rowan asked Anna, a broad smile lighting his face.
“Not yet, but I have a feeling that I’ll need to pray for all three of your souls regularly,” she responded, chuckling slightly. “I understand why you had to gamble, but it appears that you enjoyed it
perhaps a little too much,” Anna said, appraising the victorious smiles that reigned on Quinn and Rowan’s faces.
“Aye, there are few things better in life than removing a man’s hard-earned coin from his purse over a good game of cards,” Quinn smiled, playfully socking Rowan in the arm.
Rowan laughed. “There are a few men who will not soon forget the night when the Murray brothers came tae town!”
“Aye, it was rather costly for them,” Quinn responded, still reveling in their victory.
“Welcome tae North Carolina!” Rowan exclaimed and tossed a purse heavy with coins to Anna. “Let’s go get something tae eat and buy ye a dress so that I can have my shirt back.”
..ooOoo..
“I told them that ye are our sister,” Rowan whispered, eyes sparkling devilishly. “I wasna sure what you would want me tae tell them, and the innkeeper asked what yer relation was tae us,” Rowan said uneasily. “It just sort of rolled off my tongue,” he added apologetically.
“At this point, I do not care what you told them,” Anna answered wryly, the toll of their adventure beginning to wear on her. She was tired to the bone and her stomach was ravenous with hunger.
The innkeeper smiled as he reached in between Rowan and Anna and placed a steaming bowl of stew on the table. Anna watched hungrily as Rowan ladled some of the hearty soup into her bowl. Anna took a spoonful, blowing on the steaming soup first so that it would not burn her mouth. The wait was nearly unbearable. Unable to wait any longer, she took a bite of the stew. Never in her life had she tasted such delicious food. She took a deep sip of ale and enjoyed the warm feeling of the alcohol spreading through her body.
“This is delicious,” Anna smiled as she took another bite of stew.
“Aye,” Rowan agreed. “Better than the wee mussels?”
“Better,” Anna smiled as she glanced over to Rowan. His eyes were upon her again and Anna was suddenly unsure if it was the ale or Rowan’s warm gaze that caused her body to thrum with energy.
Her eyes lingered over his broad mouth. She remembered the kiss that they had shared, the way that Rowan’s lips had gently claimed hers. Anna’s pulse began to race. She forced her eyes back to her bowl of soup.
The innkeeper’s wife approached their table in the small tavern, carrying a bundle of cloth. “I do believe that this will be more suitable that yer brother’s shirt,” she said to Anna. “I hope that it fits. It was all that I could find given the late hour,” the elderly woman said, pushing the bundle into Anna’s hands.
“It will be perfect. Thank you,” Anna smiled, excited by the prospect of being properly clothed.
“May I show you up to your room?” the woman offered. “I don’t suppose that you are comfortable in that,” the woman said as she eyed Rowan’s tattered shirt.
“Yes, please,” Anna said, taking one more bite of the savory stew before pushing away from the table and following behind the woman. “And don’t you dare touch my supper,” she called over her shoulder; freezing Malcolm’s had mid-reach towards her bread.
The woman laughed heartily as she bid Anna to follow her up the stairs. “I grew up with a houseful of brothers myself. I loved them dearly, but they sure can be a pain in the arse!”
Anna snorted in surprise and giggled loudly as she followed the woman up the stairs. Never in her life had she heard a woman speak in such an open fashion in England. Perhaps she might like this New World after all.
The Innkeeper’s wife stopped in front of a small wooden door, messing with a ring of keys that were tied to her belt. Finding the correct key, she removed it from the metal ring and opened the door to a quaint room.
The room was simple, but to Anna, it was akin to heaven. A small fire crackled in the hearth at the foot of the bed. The bed was heaped with quilts. Anna’s heart soared. It would be such a treat to sleep in a real bed tonight, warm and safe.
“Is there anything else that you might need?” the kind woman asked as she stood in the threshold of Anna’s room.
“Actually, there is,” Anna said, eyes scanning the room and noticing the small writing desk the corner. “I would like to write my… my uncle a letter. He will want to know that we arrived to America safely and that we will arrive at his residence in a matter of weeks,” Anna said, the words catching in her throat. Calling Murdock her uncle made her skin crawl.
“I’ll bring some paper and an ink well up directly,” the woman nodded and closed the door behind her.
The innkeeper’s wife returned a few minutes later with a sheet of paper, an ink well, a quill and an envelope. “Just place it on the desk when ye come down to the tavern. We’ll make sure that it gets to your uncle,” the innkeeper’s wife said warmly, closing the door so that Anna could write her letter in peace.
..ooOoo..
Murdock, 25 July, 1756
I surmise that by the time this letter reaches you, you will have heard of the sinking of the Mary Catherine. Miraculously enough, I survived the shipwreck unscathed and I have found myself in a place called North Carolina.
I have made the acquaintance of some other survivors of the shipwreck. They have graciously agreed to escort me on my journey north to Williamsburg and have been quite accommodating and attentive to my needs. I trust that they will be compensated for their efforts upon my safe arrival into your care.
Please inform Jonathon that I fully intend to carry forth with our betrothal, and although my present circumstances have delayed my arrival, I want no further delay in our marriage. I expect that my mother has received the first installment of the funds that were promised upon my departure to the New World. I wish to see documentation confirming her receipt of said funds upon my arrival in Williamsburg.
Sincerely,
Miss Anna Stanton
..ooOoo..
Anna walked down the stairs feeling like a new woman. Surprisingly, the homespun dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her small waist and allowing just the right amount of skin to show about her neckline. She had brushed her hair and it floated in loose golden waves about her shoulders, cascading freely down her back.
The Murray brothers had certainly wasted no time in her absence. They were laughing robustly, moods substantially repaired after a few mugs of ale and a warm supper.
“Thank you,” Anna said, tossing Rowan his shirt, which he immediately shrugged on over his shoulders and tucked into his pants. Her senses were heightened as she felt Rowan’s eyes lock with her own for just a moment longer than was proper. Even though the room was crowded and bustling with people, Anna’s eyes only saw Rowan. When she felt his gaze linger on her, her skin felt hot and her chest began to tighten.
Does he feel this too?
“Aye, now I feel a bit more civilized,” he smiled, settling back into his shirt and reaching for the pewter pitcher of ale. “Care for some more ale?”
“Yes, please,” Anna said, resuming her seat at the table and extending her mug so that Rowan could refill it.
“Here, Anna,” Quinn said, sliding a dagger across the wooden table in her direction.
“Thank you,” Anna smiled, modestly lifting the hem of her gown and tucking the dagger safely into her garter. “Where did you get it?” Anna asked skeptically, wondering if she was now the owner of stolen property.
“I bought it off the innkeeper when I acquired yer dress. I bought weapons for Rowan and myself too,” Quinn said, maintaining his innocence. “Ye can ask him if ye doona believe me,” Quinn invited, eyes flashing defensively to the innkeeper who stood behind the bar. He suspected that Anna was not completely believing his story.
“What in the hell does she need that for?” Rowan asked angrily, feeling left out of the apparent understanding between Quinn and Anna.
“I doona ken! She asked me tae get it for her, sae I did,” Quinn said shrugging nonchalantly and taking another long dreg off his ale mug.
“Don’t speak about me as if I am not here!” Anna cautioned, suddenly angry that Rowan was questioning her need for
a weapon. “Have you looked around lately Rowan? This New World is not exactly a safe place for a woman. I need it to protect myself,” she said, placing extra emphasis on the word myself.
Rowan openly laughed at her, sputtering some of his ale onto the table. “So ye think that yer going tae protect yerself with that?” he asked incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief.
Anna nodded harshly, eyebrows knit together with determination. She was angry that Rowan had laughed at her intentions, intentions which sounded pretty logical in her mind.
“How about ye leave the protectin’ part up tae us?” Rowan asked, working to compose himself and flashing his eyes over at his brothers. “We’ll keep ye safe,” he added for good measure, insulted that Anna didn’t think that the Murray brothers were capable of seeing to her welfare.
“I can protect myself,” Anna said firmly, hazel eyes challenging Rowan from across the table.
The smile slipped from Rowan’s face. “We’ll see about that, Anna. In my experience, a lass with a dagger is often more harm tae herself than good. I’ve a feelin’ that if ye tried tae protect yerself with that, any man could swiftly remove it from yer possession and use it against ye,” he said, steely gaze glaring at her across the table.
Anna was fuming mad. She took a big swallow of ale and pushed back from the table, standing up abruptly and almost knocking over her chair. “Outside, Rowan Murray,” she said, already heading for the door.
“I think that ye might be in trouble, brother,” Quinn laughed with amusement, watching Anna stomp out the door of the tavern.
“Holler real loud if ye need our help,” smiled Malcolm, chuckling softly under his breath.
Rowan pushed away from the table, eyes sparkling mischievously and followed Anna outside. She had walked over to the courtyard in front of the chapel and was leaning up against the trunk of a large tree, arms crossed and an angry expression shrouding her face. As Rowan approached, Anna lifted the hem of her skirt and drew out the dagger, holding it firmly in her left hand.