She stood, keeping Daisy behind her with one hand. She tried to plaster a pleasant smile on her face, but it felt fake. She bobbed a quick curtsey once they were close enough.
“Good mornin’, me Lairds,” she greeted through gritted teeth.
“Thalia,” Archibald said stiffly. His eyes flicked to Daisy before returning to his niece. “I’ve come to let ye ken that Harrison and I willnae be stayin’ for the whole week. Laird MacCabe has kindly offered us his castle, and we shall be stayin’ there until the cèilidh.”
“I’m sorry to see ye go, dear uncle,” Thalia said, not sounding sorry in the least.
“I would rather nae be here and watch this farce of a betrothal any longer,” Archibald continued. “I daenae approve of this, Thalia. Daenae mistake me will to maintain peace for me blessing.”
Thalia stiffened, before turning to the girl still clinging to her skirts. “Daisy, sweetheart, can ye go and find the flower we were just talkin’ about?”
Daisy looked up at her, then back at the Lairds.
“It’s all right. We just need a little privacy,” Thalia added, keeping her voice soft.
Daisy nodded, before loosening her grip and walking away.
Archibald scoffed. “I had such high hopes for ye, Thalia. But apparently, me nieces are cursed to raise children that arenae theirs.”
Thalia whirled and stomped over to him. Anger coursed through her, and she no longer cared about remaining civil.
“Daenae say such things in front of her! That lassie has keen ears and a sensitive heart. Ye daenae ken what she has been through,” she hissed.
Archibald was unfazed by her outburst. “I only speak the truth. First Ava, now ye. Ye should want a better life for yerself.”
Her eyes darted across his cold face. “I ken ye daenae mean what ye say. Ye love Stella and Nathan just as much as I do. Just as much as ye love the rest of me sisters’ children. So why are ye bein’ so cruel?”
“Aye, I do love the boy,” he relented. “But that is different. Ye cannae help lovin’ children. It’s only natural. But what is nae natural is raisin’ someone else’s blood as yer own. A Scot’s blood runs thick, and ye can only trust someone who shares the same blood as ye. I wanted ye to have the chance at somethin’ different. Somethin’ better. I wish ye luck.”
He and Harrison left without another word.
Thalia was left clenching her teeth so tight that her jaw grew sore, but she kept it shut for fear she would say more things that she would regret. They were leaving, and that would be best for everyone.
She turned and scanned the gardens for Daisy. She found her among the heather, watching the flowers bend in the breeze. She shook off her anger and focused on staying positive for Daisy.
“Ye found them! Good job.” She smiled.
Daisy looked up at her with a strange expression on her face. “Did they leave?” she asked.
Thalia nodded. “We willnae be seein’ them again until next week. So daenae worry about them. Ye’re safe.”
Daisy merely frowned and turned her attention back to the flowers. “Will these really help Rowena feel better?”
“Aye, they will. And we’ll add some lavender to it as well. It will be a lovely tea for her,” Thalia explained.
Daisy took a deep breath and smiled at her. “Then please show me how to make it.”
CHAPTER 15
Finlay sawLaird MacFinn and Laird MacGibbon coming from the direction of the gardens. His suspicion rose, especially since he knew that Thalia and Daisy were spending time out there today.
“Peter!” he bellowed.
His man-at-arms jogged over to him. “Aye, me Laird?”
Finlay handed him his sword. “I’m takin’ a break. Take over the trainin’ for me.”
“Aye, me Laird.” Peter nodded, before walking off to put the sword away.
