“He did what?!”
Laird MacFinn appeared in the doorway, followed closely behind by Laird MacGibbon, who looked murderous.
Finlay pulled Daisy behind him, resting one hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Is that true?” Laird MacFinn barked. “Did ye ask for a minute with her to mock us?!”
Finlay glared at him. Laird or not, he hated being disrespected in his own castle, especially by someone who was not even a guest of his. He had every right to cut the man down.
He tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes flickering for a moment to Laird MacGibbon to assess whether he needed to attack him as well, but the man’s attention was fixed on something behind him.
Finlay followed his gaze to Thalia. She was still standing by the desk, gripping the wooden edge tightly with her hands. She looked terrified. He thought again of his sister, of the way she had looked the day her lover had made sure she died just because he didn’t want her anymore.
He sighed, loosening his grip on his sword as his resolve shattered.
I’d better nae regret this.
“Nay. To tell ye the truth, Thalia and I are gettin’ betrothed.”
“Ye are?” Laird MacFinn asked, confused.
“Ye are?” Daisy echoed excitedly.
Thalia only stared at him in shock.
“Aye, we are,” Finlay said, turning his attention back to the men in front of him. “Ye both are welcome to stay for the cèilidh next week.”
Laird MacGibbon glowered, stepping forward as if he were going to charge at him, but Laird MacFinn put up his hand.
“I see. Well, this certainly does change things,” he said.
“Daisy, go back to yer room, and stay there this time,” Finlay commanded.
She shrank under his gaze. “Aye, Faither.”
She skirted around the men in the doorway and raced back down the hall.
Finlay felt like he was close to bursting. Between Daisy, the Lairds, and Thalia, he had had enough.
“Excuse me. I have to attend to other matters,” he said through gritted teeth as he stalked out of his study.
He needed a moment alone. If he had stayed there one more minute, he would have really made a mess of things. His bodythrummed with too much energy, and he was either about to punch one of the Lairds, or he was going to go back to Thalia.
It shouldn’t have come as a surprise to him when he heard footsteps following after him.
“Finlay! Finlay!” Thalia called. “Finlay, wait!”
He kept walking until he had reached the front door and stepped outside. His goal was to make it to the stables, hoping that if he continued to ignore her, she would stop. It didn’t seem to be working.
“Finlay! Where are ye goin’?”
“To the stables!” he shouted back.
“Why?”
“Because I couldnae stay in that room for a single second more!”
He entered the stables, and a few of the servants scrambled up.
