Thalia’s mouth fell open, but then she closed it with a snap. As for Finlay, he quickly took back control of the conversation. Again.
“We’ll see, lassie. For now, let’s focus on gettin’ ye back home,” he said, pushing the girl towards the front door as if that would stop her from broaching the subject ever again.
“Can Peter take me?” Daisy asked.
Peter straightened in the doorway at the sound of his name.
“Ye daenae want to ride back with me?” Finlay asked, a little hurt.
Daisy scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Yer horse is too big and scary.”
Thalia’s stomach flipped. She would have to ride back with Finlay again.
“All right, fair enough,” Finlay relented. “Peter, go ahead. Thalia and I will follow soon.”
“Aye, me Laird.” Peter nodded.
Daisy took his free hand, and he held up the lantern with the other as they walked out of the cabin.
With their main source of light gone, Thalia and Finlay were thrust into partial darkness. The only light came from the small candle flickering on the table.
Thalia’s heart hammered against her ribs, through her entire body. Finlay had sent off Peter and Daisy, leaving them alone together.
This was exactly the kind of situation they were supposed to avoid. What was he thinking?
“It’s a good thing that I’m nae afraid of yer horse,” Thalia said in a light tone, trying to ease the tension that was beginning to build.
“Nae so soon,” he said. His eyes fixed on her, staring at her so intently that she felt like he could see all the way down to her soul. “We need to talk.”
CHAPTER 17
Thalia settledonto the small straw bed in the corner of the room. The quilted blanket was soft beneath her fingers, and she ran her hand over the small squares.
Truthfully, the cabin was not as bad as she had expected. She had pictured something more run-down and empty from the brief story Finlay had told her, but it was quite cozy.
Finlay was working at the fireplace. It seemed like Daisy had tried to start a fire but had failed. There was some pre-cut wood near the opening, and Finlay was just arranging it so that it would light properly.
He still had not yet told her what he wanted to talk to her about. He had only declared his intentions, and then he had turned away from her. She was beginning to feel a bit restless.
“Are ye goin’ to tell me why we are stayin’ behind?” she asked.
Finlay struck a rock against the stone, and sparks flew from the edge. The tinder ignited, and he blew on the small flame to encourage its growth. When he was satisfied, he rocked back on his heels.
“This is the cabin where I found her.” He finally turned to look at her, his expression more guarded than she had ever seen it.
“From the story ye told me, I had thought it would be worse,” Thalia admitted. “I’m glad that’s nae the case.”
Finlay laughed once, but there was no amusement in it. It sounded more like he was choking.
“When Daisy started runnin’ away, one of the places she would go was here. After the first time, I came here and tried to make it more comfortable for her.” He grimaced, his lips pulling back against his teeth in a snarl. “When I found her, it was filled with nothing. It was cold, bare. Nae even a bed. It was more of a dungeon than a child’s room.”
Thalia turned away from him. It was worse than she had thought, and she felt ashamed that she had tried to make lighter of such a serious situation. “That’s awful.”
“Aye,” he growled. “She was so small, the only dress she had was falling off her body. Nothin’ but skin and bones. Can ye imagine it?”
Thalia nodded. She could imagine it too well, and her heart broke again for the little girl.
Finlay crossed the room and grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up at him. His eyes blazed with a fury she was unaccustomed to seeing from him, and it made her tremble.
