Chapter 4
“He did what?”
Thalia blanched under Finlay’s glare. In all the years they had known each other, she had never known him to be an angry person.
Annoyed, frustrated, irritated—these were all emotions she could picture on his face.
This murderous rage was new, and it had appeared not long after she had finished her story.
His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white, and he stared off into the distance as if he were waiting for Laird MacGibbon himself to appear so that he could throttle him.
“I will have his head for the way he’s treated ye, Thalia,” he said through gritted teeth.
Despite the violence in that threat, Thalia found it did not scare her at all. It warmed her, in fact, to see him show such care and compassion for her. They had never been what she would call friends, but he was now threatening to go to war for her.
It seemed he had changed from the man she used to know.
“Ye daenae need to do that,” she said. “But I was wonderin’ if I would be able to stay here for a few days?”
“Aye, of course.” Finlay’s gaze softened as his attention turned back to her.
“It shouldnae be too long. Just until I can figure out what to tell me uncle to prevent a war.” A near hysterical laughter bubbled up her throat as she finished the thought.
She really had been reckless. It was one thing to run; it was another to attack a laird. No matter what, there would be consequences for her actions.
Finlay eyed her carefully.
“Ye can stay as long as ye need, and ye’ll be safe here,” he told her.
The reassurance calmed her, and she nodded. “Thank ye.”
He jerked his head back towards the castle. “Come on, I’ll have one of the servants draw a bath for ye, and then ye can join me for dinner when ye’re ready.”
“A bath sounds heavenly,” she sighed as she followed him up the steps.
She had been right. The warm water eased the aches in her body and thawed the last of the lingering chill. She scrubbed and scraped at her skin until it was bright red and stinging. She felt raw, but she was finally, blissfully, clean.
The door creaked, and she turned towards the sound. A young maid, maybe a little younger than her, stood in the doorway holding a roll of fabric.
“Good evening, me Lady,” she greeted. “I brought ye one of me dresses. I apologize for it bein’ a simple maid’s dress, but it’s all we could find at the moment.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” Thalia smiled. “Thank ye. What’s yer name?”
“I’m Anna, me Lady.”
“It’s lovely to meet ye, Anna,” Thalia said. “And ye can call me Thalia. I’m nae the lady of this castle.”
Anna placed the dress next to the towel on the floor. “Do ye need more water, me Lady?”
Thalia sighed and shook her head. “Nay. Thank ye, Anna.”
Anna nodded and turned to leave.
“Wait!” The water sloshed around Thalia as she turned in the tub, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Can I ask ye a question?”
“Of course,” Anna said.
Thalia hesitated, biting her lip. “Is there a lady of this castle? Or is it just…?”
“There’s Laird MacAinsley and Lady Daisy,” Anna explained.
“Does the Laird still…” Thalia paused, trying to find the right words. “That is to say, there had been rumors about him a couple of years ago…”
Thankfully, Anna seemed to get the meaning. She gave her a knowing smile. “Laird MacAinsley has had very few guests since he adopted Lady Daisy. She is his main priority these days.”
“Right. Thank ye, Anna.”
“I’ll be just outside if ye need me.” Anna nodded and left.
Thalia sank again into the water until it was just her nose skimming across the surface.
Finlay may have a daughter now, but she wondered if he was still the same rakish man he had always been. He had promised she would be safe here, and she believed him. He wouldn’t dare touch her for fear of facing Ava’s wrath.
Even though the thought was meant to soothe her nerves, for some reason, it caused a stab of disappointment in her gut.
Finlay and Peter stepped into the dining room. The servants had already laid out dinner: soup, haggis, turnips, and potatoes. It was a simple dinner, since usually it was only him and Daisy, but it would do for tonight.
“I need ye to gather more information on Laird MacGibbon,” Finlay said. “I daenae trust him. I want to ken if he’s plannin’ something.”
“Does this have anythin’ to do with the new lass?” Peter asked.
Finlay frowned. “She’s Ava’s sister. I promised to keep her safe while she’s here. That’s all.”
Peter looked unconvinced. “I’ll find out what I can.”
The door opened behind them, and Thalia entered. Freshly bathed, her wet hair was tied into a loose braid down her right shoulder, and she wore a simple brown linen dress that one of the maids had given her.
Despite the plain clothes, she looked just as beautiful as ever.
His gaze roamed the length of her body. The dress was a bit too tight on her, though she had done her best to lace it appropriately. Her chest spilled out the top of her dress in a way that made it hard for Finlay to tear his eyes away.
“Clean again,” she said cheerfully, seemingly unaware of the effect her appearance was having on him.
“Good for ye,” Finlay muttered, his voice thick. He ignored the look Peter was giving him.
“I’d better take me leave.” Peter nodded to him, then to Thalia. “Enjoy yer dinner.”
Thalia nodded to him as he left, then took in the table before her. She frowned when she noticed there were only two seats.
“Where’s Daisy?” she asked.
“She prefers to eat in her room with her nursemaid,” Finlay explained.
Thalia nodded. “I remember Ava sayin’ how hard it was for Nathan to adjust at first. She’ll come around, I’m sure.”
“I daenae want to push her. She’s been through a lot,” he replied.
Thalia looked like she wanted to ask more, but then her gaze was drawn back to the table. She inhaled deeply, as if she were enjoying the smell of the food.
“Go ahead,” Finlay urged. “Ye daenae have to wait for me.”
They took their seats, and he could see how hungry Thalia really was as she ate. Her fork moved rapidly from her plate to her mouth, fighting to remain polite.
She had told him she had been in the forest for a few days, but she probably hadn’t been able to hunt or fish without any supplies. His anger flared anew as he thought of how she had been forced into this situation because of her uncle. Someone who should have protected her.
“How long has Daisy been livin’ with ye?” Thalia asked as she finished.
“Six months,” he answered.
“Six months?” she repeated. “But havenae ye been the Laird here for almost two years?”
“Aye.”
“So then Daisy and her maid…?”
“Aye,” he said. “They’d been living in that cabin for over a year before I found them.”
Thalia set down her fork, as if she had lost her appetite. “That poor girl.”
“Now ye ken why I’m so gentle with her,” Finlay said.
Daisy had been so skinny then, but she was finally growing like she should after he made sure she had proper meals.
They had come a long way, but she was still scared, and eager to run at the first sign of trouble.
He hoped that, with a little more time, she would begin to relax and put her trust in him.
“She’s strong,” Thalia remarked. “And smart. I daenae have any doubts that she’ll come around. I can see that she cares about ye. She’s very lucky to have ye.”
Finlay felt a smile tug at the corner of his mouth. “Why, Lady Thalia, was that a compliment ye just gave me?”
Thalia rolled her eyes. “Daenae get used to it. I figured since ye’ve been so kind as to let me stay here, the least I can do is be more…”
“Agreeable?”
“Friendly,” she corrected with a smile. “I was thinkin’ I could give it two days, then I’ll leave for Ava’s. That way, I can be sure that I wasnae followed.”
“Are ye sure ye daenae want me to send word to her now? I’m sure she’s heard of what’s happened, and she must be worried about ye,” Finlay said.
“Quite sure. I daenae want her to have to lie to our uncle on me behalf. It wouldnae be right.”
A low rumble interrupted the conversation. It sounded almost like another storm approaching. Finlay listened to it carefully, recognizing the sound instantly.
“What is that?” Thalia turned to him, her eyes wide.
“Horses.” Finlay stood, his chair scraping harshly across the stone floor.
“Horses? From whom?”
Finlay went to the window and looked out over the courtyard. Two new horses and their riders entered through his gates. He watched them dismount, and the horses were led away by the stable boys. Even in the dark, he would know who they belonged to.
“Ye nay longer have to worry about makin’ it to yer sister’s,” he murmured.
Thalia tilted her head. “Why nae?”
The door to the dining room burst open, and Ava and Caden stormed in without warning.
“Finlay!” Ava cried, walking straight towards him. “Ye willnae believe what happened. Me uncle almost trapped Thalia in a marriage, but she ran! No one kens where she is, and the jilted groom is seeking revenge, and—”
She stopped when her eyes landed on Thalia, who was still seated at the table.
“Good evening, Sister,” Thalia greeted with a nervous smile.
Ava turned her murderous gaze back to Finlay. “What is goin’ on here? What is Thalia doin’ here of all places?”
“I’d advise ye to keep yer temper, old friend,” Finlay warned. “I wouldnae turn away someone in need, ye ken that.”
“I ken ye’d jump at the chance to take in any bonnie lass,” Ava retorted. She turned back to her sister. “Thalia, ye’re comin’ back to MacCabe Castle with us tonight.”
Thalia stood quickly. “That’s the first place they’d look! I can hide here for a few more days, and then—”
“Thalia, as much as I hate the words that are about to come out of me mouth, ye’re a lady,” Ava emphasized. “Ye cannae be hidin’ alone in some laird’s castle!”
“But Ava—”
“Nay, Thalia! Ye’ll be comin’ back with Caden and me, and I willnae hear another word of it!”
Thalia flinched at the anger in her sister’s voice. Her eyes met Finlay’s for a moment, but she looked away before he could fully read the emotion in them.
“All right, that’s enough!” Finlay interjected. “I willnae have me guest spoken to like that, Ava. Now, I can fetch some plates and chairs for ye two. We can finish eatin’ dinner and have a calmer discussion. It’s been a long day for us all, there’s nay need to make rash decisions.”
“If anyone is makin’ rash decisions here, it’s ye,” Ava said, turning her anger on him. “I cannae believe ye took me sister in and didnae send word! How long has she been here?”
“Thalia only got here today,” Finlay sighed.
“But Uncle said nay one had seen her in days! So if she wasnae with ye, then where…?” Ava trailed off, her anger fizzling out as she turned back to Thalia, worry written all over her features.
Thalia blanched under the new attention, her eyes glassy and wet. “Forgive me, but I am tired from all the excitement of the last few days. If ye’ll excuse me.” She rushed out of the room.
Ava stared after her, looking conflicted.
Finlay resisted the urge to run after her as well, knowing it would only cause more problems. He did not like seeing her upset, but his attention would only make matters worse.
“Would ye two like to spend the night? I’ll have me servants prepare ye a room,” he offered.
Caden nodded. “I think we could all use a good night’s rest. Daenae ye think so, Ava?”
Ava crossed her arms, defeated. “Fine.”
“And maybe Finlay and I could have a moment alone?”
“Aye. Maybe he’ll be more willing to listen to me words if they come from ye,” she sniffed, but the words carried less resentment than earlier. “I’ll try with Thalia again.”
She marched out of the room, leaving Finlay and Caden alone.