“Did ye ken that daisies are good for healin’ cuts and bruises?” she asked. “Thalia told me that when we first met.”
“Did she?” Finlay went down on one knee as he looked at the flower in her hand.
“Aye, it would be a shame if I didnae get to see her again.” She looked up at him pointedly. “Da, if ye got me to stop runnin’, daenae ye think ye could get her to stay, too?”
He chuckled, his heart swelling in his chest. When had she grown so wise? Perhaps she had always been this way, and only now was she able to fully voice her thoughts.
He patted the top of her head, leaning over to press a kiss to her temple.
“Daenae worry, Daisy,” he said. “Shall we go inside? I think I need to have another conversation with yer uncle.”
Her face brightened, and as they stood, she took his hand again.
Be the better man. Aye, I think I can do that.
CHAPTER 30
Thalia examinedher dress in the mirror as the emptiness inside threatened to consume her. The colors of the plaid looked wonderful on her. The blue brought out the color of her eyes, and the brown complemented her skin and hair.
She had worked hard to make the dress in time for her betrothal with Finlay, and now she was wearing it to wed someone else.
She clenched her fists into her skirts, the fabric gathering up and wrinkling. She did not care. This dress was the only one suitable for the occasion, and so she had been made to wear it.
Despite Harrison’s posturing during that dinner, it seemed that he did care about how she looked. She was to be his property now after all, and he had admitted that he expected her to represent him well.
There was a small, rebellious part of her that was glad to be wearing this dress. The colors matched Clan MacAinsley’s, andthere was some satisfaction to be had with that. Maybe Harrison wouldn’t be able to understand it, but with this dress, she would be announcing that while she may become his wife, she would never truly be his.
Her mother appeared in the mirror behind her, and Thalia put on a brave smile.
“Would ye like me to do yer hair?” Olivia asked.
Thalia nodded, and she moved to sit on the nearby stool.
Her sisters, Ava and Emma, sat on the bed across from her. They had both been silent since their arrival, and since they had confirmation that this was not an entirely consensual union. It had not come as much of a shock, but they had still been outraged on her behalf. She had quelled their anger and asked them not to involve their clans. She did not want them to risk anything for her.
Olivia hummed to herself as she ran a brush through Thalia’s hair. Thalia winced as the brush snagged on a tangle, before it was gently worked out.
“I still say it isnae too late to run again,” Ava began with a huff.
“Aye,” Emma agreed, adjusting the spectacles on her nose. “I ken most of the guards went back to MacGibbon Castle. I bet we could sneak ye past the rest of them.”
Thalia shook her head, dismissing the suggestion. “If I run, I would only be puttin’ the people here in danger. All of ye would be in danger.”
“If ye had only told us about this when it happened, we would have rallied with ye,” Emma argued again.
“I daenae want to ask anyone to fight for me,” Thalia insisted. “This is something I must do. Besides, maybe I will enjoy being Lady MacGibbon. Eventually.”
Ava sagged with worry. “I doubt that man will let us visit often.”
“But ye’re here now,” Thalia pointed out. “And I’m so glad ye are. I wouldnae have dared to do this if ye werenae all here with me.”
Olivia squeezed her shoulder affectionately, and her fingers moved with expert precision through her hair as she braided it. Thalia closed her eyes, enjoying her mother’s touch. It was the one bright spot on this otherwise miserable day. She did enjoy being with her mother and her sisters again.
“Thalia…”
Emma’s voice broke her out of her thoughts, and Thalia looked at her again. “Aye?”
“Should we…” Emma shifted on the bed, her face contorted with anxiety. She paused, pursing her lips before starting again. “I mean, do ye ken what… happens on a wedding night?”
