The words were like ice water poured on her. Dread pooled in her gut as she asked, “Which laird do ye answer to?”
He grinned. “Laird MacGibbon.”
Thalia moved quickly. She flew to the door, ignoring the curious calls of the woman behind the counter. Wrenching open the door, she raced down the street. Her horse was still standingby the post, and there were no other signs that more men were chasing her. If she could just get to her horse and ride in a full gallop back to the castle, Finlay and his men would be able to protect her.
She only made it to the next shop before her arm was grabbed roughly and she was yanked back around. The man glared down at her. He was close enough that his sour breath invaded her nostrils. She barely resisted the urge to gag.
“Me Laird asks ye to reconsider his offer of marriage,” he grunted. “He would prefer that ye come of yer own volition, but even if ye refuse, I will have to drag ye to him.”
Thalia tried to pull her arm from his grip, but his hand only tightened.
“I am betrothed to Laird MacAinsley,” she hissed. “He is the only one I will marry.”
He yanked on her, and she cried out as pain shot up to her shoulder. “Why would ye stay with a man who blames ye and yer family for his inability to control his child?”
Thalia went still. How would he know that?
Unless…
“Have ye been watchin’ us?” she asked in horror.
That night, as they had searched for Daisy, she had felt someone watching them. She had assumed it was nothing but paranoia, but now she knew that she had been correct.
“Laird MacGibbon asked that I keep an eye on ye,” he sniffed, looking down at her in disgust. “He wants to be sure his bride remains untouched.”
She flushed, thinking of what she and Finlay had done together in that cabin. Finlay hadn’t taken her, not completely, but she wished again that he had. Then, Laird MacGibbon wouldn’t want her, and this part of her life could be left to the past where it belonged.
At her silence, the man continued, “Daenae ye see that Laird MacGibbon is the right choice for ye? He wouldnae string ye along like yer Wolf.”
At the mention of the nickname, her anger flared anew.
She straightened and looked him dead in the eyes. “Finlay is twice the man Laird MacGibbon will ever be. He’s strong and kind, and he’s a good faither. I willnae marry Laird MacGibbon. I daenae care what ye say.”
The man’s jaw clenched, and his eyes flashed with anger. “Then ye’re comin’ with me the hard way, me Lady. Apologies.”
He did not sound sorry in the slightest as he bent at the waist, wrapping his arms around her middle tightly. As hestraightened, Thalia was lifted off the ground, with the top half of her body falling down his back and her legs dangling down his front.
The air was knocked out of her lungs from the sudden pressure as she was slung over his shoulder, but she managed to recover quickly. She wriggled in a bid to free herself, but his arm held her firmly in place.
“Help!” she cried. “Help! Somebody help!”
Her head turned as she tried to draw the attention of the people around her. Many faces looked over at the commotion, but then they all looked away. She was jostled with each step the man took, and she pounded her fists against his back as she kicked her feet. Nothing seemed to sway him, and hopelessness consumed her.
Why did she insist on coming here alone? Why hadn’t she taken up Ava on her offer to join her? Why couldn’t Finlay have just taken her to Inverness like he was supposed to?
“Please! Willnae somebody help me?” she screamed.
The man suddenly stopped.
Thalia twisted, trying to see what could have made him stop, when a familiar voice rang out, “I wouldnae do that if I were ye.”
CHAPTER 22
“I daenae understand!”Daisy whined, crossing her small arms over her chest.
Finlay sighed, setting his quill down on the desk. Daisy had been arguing with him all morning, and he could feel a headache coming on.
“I ken ye daenae,” he said, forcing his voice to remain gentle so he would not hurt her feelings. “But maybe ye’ll understand when ye’re older.”
