She nodded again, then turned to walk back up the path towards the castle.
It was only a year, and it would fly past in no time. Until then, she could throw herself into her work. There was always more to learn, more people to help. That was what was important, and not these feelings that had begun brewing between her and Finlay.
It would be best to put it all out of me mind until it is nothing but a distant, pleasant memory.
Finlay watched her go, reminded of that night in a different garden two years ago. Only this time, it was worse. Because this time, he knew what it was like to kiss her, to hold her. It wasmaddening.
Despite being inexperienced, she was a quick study. He should have expected that, seeing how intelligent she was, but it was still surprising that she knew how to press herself against him, and how to coax him into doing something that he knew he shouldn’t do.
The next year was going to be the longest of his life if he had to spend so much time with her without being able to touch her the way he wanted.
Perhaps I should try to find other women who can distract me from her.
However, as soon as he tried to picture it, he deflated. The only woman he wanted was Thalia.
Thalia, with hair as soft as silk between his fingers. Thalia, who sighed so sweetly under his touch. Thalia, who seemed to want him just as badly as he wanted her.
He turned on his heel, walking not back towards the castle, but to the training grounds. He had a lot of energy that he needed to expend now.
The training grounds were on the other side of the stables, a wide area that spread up until his men’s sleeping quarters. Straw dummies lined up in a row along one end. A dozen men practiced in the open space with wooden swords, sparring with each other.
Finlay found Peter further away from the action. He stood before two young boys who were sparring with thin, wooden sticks. As Finlay drew closer to the group, he heard the instructions Peter was giving.
“Connell, keep yer elbows up and close to yer chest! Ye daeanae want to give yer enemy an openin’.”
“Aye, Da,” the older of the two said.
Connell was only ten, but Finlay could already see the makings of a great soldier in him. He was the spitting image of his father, with black hair and light blue eyes. By the next blow from his younger brother, he had made the corrections to improve his technique.
“Very good!” Peter praised, nodding to Finlay in acknowledgement as he approached to stand next to him.
“The boys are learning well,” Finlay observed.
“Aye, I’m very proud of them.” Peter puffed out his chest to emphasize his point.
Finlay cut right to the chase. “Have ye had the chance to look into Laird MacGibbon as I asked?”
“Aye.” Peter nodded. “I already heard from some of the men who’d been out scoutin’. There are still a lot of MacGibbon soldiers at MacFinn Castle. Perhaps they havenae heard that the engagement is off, but…”
“Ye think Laird MacGibbon is keeping his men there to intimidate Laird MacFinn?” Finlay asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I cannae be sure,” Peter hedged. “But somethin’ tells me that he willnae roll over for ye so easily.”
“Aye, I fear the same,” Finlay grunted. “We should prepare the men, just in case the worst occurs. I will do everythin’ I can on me end to make sure it doesnae lead to war.”
Peter nodded. “I’ll increase the training regimen, but I willnae raise any alarm bells yet. Ye ken how the men can get. Peace doesnae suit a soldier well.”
“Aye, on that we can agree. Peace is both a blessing and a curse,” Finlay confirmed, giving him a smack behind his shoulder blades.
Across from the training grounds, Caden walked over to the stables with one of his servants, gesturing enthusiastically while they chatted.
Finlay excused himself and jogged over to meet his brother.
Caden nodded as he approached, turning his full attention to him. “Ah, there ye are, Braither. I was wonderin’ where ye went off to,” he said. “The rest of breakfast was rather dull after ye left.”
Finlay rolled his eyes. “Aye, and ye were so helpful with that.”
“I trusted ye to defend yer betrothed’s honor,” Caden said with a teasing grin, but it quickly dropped as he continued. “I daenae like Laird MacGibbon. He doesnae seem the honorable type at all.”
