“Uncle received a letter,” she explained, holding up the note.
She carried it to Finlay, who snatched it out of her hands. His eyes scanned the words, before he heaved a sigh.
“Rowena.”
The nursemaid bristled. “Aye, me Laird?”
“Take Daisy up to her room, and make sure she stays there until I say she can leave.”
“Aye, me Laird.” Rowena hurried away, taking Daisy with her.
The girl shot Thalia one last look before they disappeared up the stairs.
Finlay waved his hand at Archibald. “Put yer sword away, Laird MacFinn. I daenae want to kill ye. There’s an easy explanation for all of this.”
Archibald did what was requested of him, but he remained suspicious. “There is?”
“Aye. This is just a jest, and I recognize the jester’s hand,” Finlay explained.
Thalia’s heart raced. In an instant, she knew everything that was about to unfold. If Daisy’s plot were exposed now, her uncle would take her back to MacFinn Castle, and she would be forced into a marriage that she could not, and would not, ever be happy in.
She met Harrison’s gaze, and he smiled at her as if he, too, knew exactly what was about to happen. He knew he was about to win.
“Aye!” Thalia blurted, not even knowing what she was saying. “A jest! To… get ye all here as quickly as possible. Finlay had… the maid write this, isnae that right?”
Finlay blinked at her as if he couldn’t understand what she was saying.
“But…” she continued. “We didnae expect ye for a few more days at least.”
She stared up at him, begging him not to say anything to contradict her.
He raised an eyebrow as the words sank in. “Excuse us for a moment.”
He took her wrist, then led her up the stairs and into his study, before slamming the door shut behind them.
CHAPTER 8
Finlay whirled on her,anger coursing through him. “Are ye mad? Why would ye say all of that nonsense about me havin’ the maid write that letter?”
“Because I didnae want them to ken that Daisy was the one who wrote it,” Thalia replied.
She pressed herself into the nearest corner as if she wished she could disappear.
“Daisy isnae yer responsibility. She’s me daughter, and I’ll handle the situation how I see fit,” Finlay said, looming over her. “Unless this isnae about Daisy.”
Thalia glared up at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Maybe ye’re tryin’ to take advantage of her wee joke and trap me into marriage,” he suggested.
“I wouldnae do that.”
“Nay?”
“Daenae flatter yerself!” Thalia pushed past him, storming further into the room as fury engulfed her. “Maybe if ye would think about someone other than yerself for a moment, ye’d see that this wasnae a joke to her. She’s just a wee girl who’s lonely and scared.”
“And how does lying to yer uncle help her?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“She just wants someone to keep her company,” she said.
