Oh? Comin’ to offer his apologies now, is he? Well, it’s too late for that.
She stood and crossed the room in three long strides. She wrenched open the door, saying, “I daenae want to talk to?—”
The maid, Anna, stood patiently outside the door. She blinked in surprise at the hostility.
“Oh, Anna. I’m sorry,” Thalia rushed out. “I thought ye might be someone else.”
“That’s all right, me Lady. I apologize for disturbin’ ye, but I brought ye somethin’.” Anna held out a bundle of fabric proudly.
“What is it?” Thalia asked.
“It’s yer dress. I finished repairing it last night, and I thought ye might prefer it over me old dress,” Anna explained.
Thalia grinned with gratitude. “Oh, thank ye!”
She took the dress, holding it up to examine it. It had been thoroughly cleaned, which she assumed was enough of an ordeal, but the tear that had reached halfway up to her knee had been expertly closed. The stitches were small enough not to be noticed, and they were all in a perfect straight line.
“This is wonderful, Anna,” Thalia said. “Ye did such a terrific job with it.”
Anna held her head a little higher at the compliment. “I’m happy ye’re pleased with it.”
“This is such a nice surprise after the morning I’ve had,” Thalia muttered almost to herself.
“Me Lady?” Anna gave her a questioning look.
Thalia gave her a reassuring smile. “Nevermind. When will breakfast be served?”
“Within the hour,” Anna replied.
“Would ye tell the other servants to set the table for seven today?” Thalia asked.
“Seven, me Lady?”
She nodded. “Daisy is going to join us.”
“I see!” Anna clapped her hands together. “I’ll let them ken right away.”
“Thank ye, Anna.”
“Would ye like help dressin’ this mornin’?” Anna asked.
Thalia shook her head. “Nay. That willnae be necessary, but thank ye.”
Anna nodded, before excusing herself and taking her leave.
Thalia closed the door behind her and began to dress quickly. She did not want to be left alone with her thoughts any longer. They would just wander back to the person she did not want to be thinking about.
Finlay. He was nothing but trouble, and she would just have to learn to stay away from him during their betrothal. Which meant avoiding him for an entire year.
It shouldn’t be too difficult; this was a big castle, after all. Finlay would have his duties as a laird, and she could divide her time between Daisy and tending to the gardens. MacCabe Castle was also not far, so she could visit Ava as often as she wished.
This new plan was reassuring. The fears and anxieties that had been plaguing her seemed to melt away. Head held high, she left her room feeling much more like herself again.
As she walked down the hall, she noticed Daisy’s door was left ajar. Curious, she looked inside to find Daisy and Finlay talking. Daisy sat on her bed, while Finlay stood next to her.
“… I just thought that if I could keep the three of us together, I would ken what it is like to have a family. Arealfamily, with a faitheranda maither.” Daisy looked down as she said it.
Thalia’s hand flew to her mouth. She did not have to guess what they were discussing, but the confession brought tears to her eyes.
