“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. “Isthere 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.
