“Aunt Thalia! Aunt Thalia!” Nathan cried, launching himself at her skirts.
Thalia returned the hug, ignoring the pang of longing as she was reminded of Daisy. She did her best to smile at him, but she was quickly forgotten as Ava exited the carriage from behind her.
“Oh!” Ava cried, lifting the boy into her arms and resting him on her hip. “Me sweet boy, I missed ye so much!”
She kissed his cheek, and he giggled at the affection.
Caden came out next, followed by Archibald.
“Thalia, I was prepared to leave for the cèilidh, yet I was told by Laird MacCabe that it wouldnae take place…” he trailed off.
“Nay,” Thalia confirmed. “I have called off the betrothal.”
He nodded. “Ye made the right decision. We can discuss it further on our way back to MacFinn Castle. I daenae want ye stayin’ here any longer. It would be best if ye returned home, where ye belong.”
“Aye,” she agreed. She did not want to stay so close to Finlay or Daisy. The distance would be good for her. “Uncle, I apologize for runnin’ away, and for causin’ so many problems for ye and our family. I’ll return home with ye, but I’d like to retire now to be ready for the journey tomorrow.”
“That will be just fine,” Archibald assured. “I’ll be sure to inform Laird MacGibbon as well that yer betrothal has been called off.”
That made her pause, and she glanced at him with curiosity. “Is he nae here?”
“Nay, he received a message a few days ago, and explained that he would have to leave before the cèilidh. Shame that,” Archibald replied.
At least there was one bright spot. She had expected to receive sneers or comments from the man, and she was happy to hearthat she would not have to endure that today. She let out the breath she had been holding.
“Aye,” she said. “A shame.”
Ava caught her eye, and she set Nathan down. “I’ll go help Thalia settle into her room for the night,” she said, looping her arm through her sister’s. “Excuse us, Uncle. Husband.”
The two women walked into the castle.
Thalia let Ava take the lead despite knowing the way from her years living there. When they arrived at her room, she was almost surprised to see that everything was exactly as she had left it. She had only been gone for two weeks, but it felt like she had lived an entire lifetime since then.
She sank down onto the bed, and Ava settled next to her. They kicked off their boots, curling into each other with their backs against the headboard, as they used to do when they were small. Thalia sniffled again, but remained calm enough that no more tears fell.
“Do ye want to be alone?” Ava asked after a moment.
“Aye,” Thalia croaked. “But ye count as alone right now.”
Ava gave a small smile, then let out a long sigh. “Do ye want to talk about what really happened between ye and Finlay?”
Thalia hesitated. She had not revealed the full story yet, not to anyone, and she didn’t want to upset her sister.
“I daenae ken,” she sighed.
Ava rested her head atop Thalia’s. “I promise I will hear ye out, and I willnae be upset with ye.”
“Ye willnae?” Thalia asked in a small voice.
“I cannae promise I willnae be mad at Finlay, though I willnae go and storm into MacAinsley Castle either.”
That made Thalia chuckle, the pressure in her chest lightening just a bit. It made it easier to get the words out.
“He couldnae be what I wanted. What I needed,” she began. “I found meself… caring for him, more than I’ve ever cared for a man before.”
“Do ye love him?” Ava asked.
The question made Thalia flush. “I… I daenae ken if that is what it is, but…”
