Finlay nodded, giving him a pat on the shoulder, and turned to make sure Daisy was ready as well.
He walked back through the castle, passing by Laird MacFinn and Thalia’s mother, Olivia. He nodded to them in greeting, and Olivia gave him a smile. Laird MacFinn nodded back, but neither man said anything to the other.
Even though they were about to be family, and Thalia had patched up things between them, Finlay still hadn’t gotten over everything her uncle had done. At least for now, they would be civil to each other.
When he arrived at Daisy’s room, he saw that the door was closed. He rapped his knuckles against the wood.
“Daisy?” he called when no response came. “Daisy, are ye ready yet?”
He opened the door to find an empty room.
“Daisy?!” he repeated, louder this time, but only silence answered him.
He cursed, tearing through the halls and opening every door that she might be hiding behind. They were all empty.
He ground his teeth. Did Laird MacFinn say something to her again? Had she overheard another harsh comment? Had she run away again? If she had, there would be hell to pay. Damn the consequences. He knew Thalia would be on his side.
The door to his study banged open as he stormed inside, turning around as he tried to find any sign of his daughter. He went to the window, looking out at the grounds in a bid to catch a glimpse of her. The courtyard was filled with people laughing, dancing, and drinking. Had she just gotten lost in the crowd there?
He was just about to head there when a flash of green caught his eye.
There in the garden, kneeling in the dirt, was Daisy. He could barely see her behind the bush, but it was absolutely her. He twisted away from the window and moved with purpose out to the gardens.
Relief flooded through him, but it was quickly replaced by annoyance. He had told her to be careful with her new dress, one made from the same fabric as the dress Thalia would be wearing for the ceremony. If she were out in the garden now, she would surely have mud staining the bottom of her hem.
He sighed. That girl took too much after Thalia now.
Daisy did not notice when he came down the path, and he did not make his presence known until he was right behind her.
“What do ye think ye’re doin’ out here?” he asked in a stern voice, so she knew she was in trouble.
She started, yelping as she stood and turned in one motion. He noticed that she had hidden something behind her back.
“I’m sorry, Da,” she said, her eyes widening apologetically. “But I was makin’ something for Thalia.”
His face softened. “Well, can I see it?”
Daisy shook her head. “Nay! Nae yet! Ye can see it when she wears it.”
“All right.” He chuckled. “I suppose I’ll just have to be surprised then.”
“Aye!” she agreed. She kept one hand behind her back as she waved him off with the other. “Now, go away!”
He chuckled again at her audacity, but he obliged her nevertheless.
Later, he would talk to her about trying to order him about, but it probably wouldn’t stick. That girl was growing into someone almost as stubborn as him.
He gave one last look over his shoulder to see that she had gone back to her surprise, before walking back up the path.
Thalia was beaming as she walked towards him. Daisy walked beside her hand in hand.
Thalia’s green dress fit her beautifully, and Finlay couldn’t wait to take it off her that night. She smiled at him, her brown hair hanging loose and wild down her back. A sweet flower crown made of daisies sat atop her head.
His heart swelled; he had never been so happy as he was at that moment.
Thalia reached out her hand to him, and he took it and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. He caught Ava’s eye behind her, and she gave him a firm nod and a smile.
The priest began his speech. He went on about the joining of the clans and how their union may be blessed. Finlay kept his eyes on Thalia the entire time, and she kept her eyes on him.
