She found him pacing up and down the foyer. He looked up as she approached.
“I wanted to thank ye,” she said, “for what ye did in there.”
“Daenae bother,” he spat out. He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. “I’d appreciate it if I didnae have to make such threats in front of Daisy again.”
Thalia bristled. “It’s nae me fault he’s a dumbass.”
“Nay, but it is yer fault that I have to deal with him. In me castle,” he hissed.
“Ye’re more than welcome to throw him out,” she pointed out.
He stalked towards her, his eyes narrowed. “Aye, and he’d start a war before he even left me estate.”
Before Thalia could retort, a small voice sounded behind her. “Are ye arguin’?”
She whirled around, watching as Daisy peeked around the corner with interest. Her eyes were wide with concern.
“Are ye done eatin’?” Thalia asked, purposely not answering her question.
Daisy nodded. “I didnae want to be there without ye two.”
Finlay visibly swallowed his anger and schooled his features into calm. “That’s all right, sweetheart. I am proud of ye today, and I’m sorry for scarin’ ye.”
“Ye didnae scare me.” She stood a little straighter. “The other Laird, though…”
He nodded, walking over to her and bending down. “I ken. How about ye go find Rowena, while Thalia and I finish our conversation.”
“Yer argument, ye mean,” she corrected.
He grimaced. “Just go.”
Daisy nodded and ran back up the stairs.
Thalia felt another rush of shame as she watched her go. She had just advised Finlay earlier to make sure Daisy didn’t hear anything she shouldn’t, and here she was not following her own advice.
“We should go outside, I think,” she suggested.
“Aye,” Finlay agreed. “Better we stay out of earshot.”
CHAPTER 13
They walkedout to the gardens in a tense silence. Thalia did not want to speak first, but her anger and frustration bubbled just beneath the surface, and it all threatened to spill over at any moment.
She huffed and stomped along the path, and she could feel rather than hear Finlay following behind her. His presence just served as a further reminder of this strange hold that he seemed to have on her, and it only angered her more.
There was a large row of shrubs along the front of the gardens, and she went behind them for extra privacy. She stopped, then rounded on Finlay, who looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else.
“I cannae believe ye,” she started, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Me?” Finlay gave a harsh laugh. “What aboutye?”
“Yeare the one who just this mornin’ said, ‘Stop bloody apologizing.’” She lowered her voice in a poor attempt to mimic him. “And then ye turn around and blame me again!”
“Aye, well, if ye hadnae enchanted Laird MacGibbon, maybe neither of us would be in this mess right now!” he bellowed.
“Enchanted?” she cried.
“Aye!”
