17
Finley stood next to her aunt and Leeth as they watched McIves swing up on his horse and gather the reins. In a horse behind him, no longer riding next to him, was Isabel. Her fine gown was now dirtied, her hair in greasy locks hanging about her face, and her eyes were downcast as if she knew what fate awaited her when she returned to her land.
Finley tried and failed to find sympathy for her. She had manipulated Erik, her own husband, and nearly got both of them killed. The lass deserved everything that was coming to her.
“Farewell,” lady Edna called out, lifting her hand. “Until next time.”
“Aye, mah lady,” McIves called out, sending his horse to a trot.
“Well,” Leeth stated as the caravan left the courtyard. “I cannae say that I am sad tae see them leave.”
Lady Edna chuckled. “’Tis was highly entertaining tae say the least. I almost feel sorry for the laird.”
Finley smiled. “Do ye think he will kill her?” she asked.
Her aunt pursed her lips. “He and I had a long conversation last night. I dinnae think that he will, but she will never grace his bed again.”
Even Leeth seemed surprised by her admission. “And when did this happen? Woman, are ye crazed?”
Finley watched as her aunt just patted his cheek before turning toward the keep. “I had it well in hand, Leeth. Nary a need tae be worried aboot me.”
Leeth did not look like he was worried; he looked shaken. “Wot if he had been lying, Edna? He could have killed ye!”
She stopped in the doorway, ignoring his words but focusing on Finley. “Finley, mah dear, come with me. I wish tae discuss something with ye.”
Finley walked past a shell shocked Leeth and joined her aunt inside the keep. “Ye know he worries aboot ye,” she said softly once they were out of earshot of the older warrior. “’Tis the only reason he reacts that way.”
“I know,” her aunt snapped, her eyes darkening. “But I can handle mahself too. He thinks that since I am a Lady now, I’ve forgotten all that he has trained me. He just, that infernal Scot!”
Finley held back her smile as they walked to the study, feeling the anger roll off her aunt as they did so. At some point, the two were going to give in to their feelings and come together as more than just a Lady and her favorite warrior, and she hoped it was soon. She already saw him as the father she never had, her aunt the mother that she never missed.
Once in the study, her aunt closed the door and crossed the room, handing Finley a parchment.
“Wot’s this?” Finley asked as she read the contents.
“’Tis naming ye as second-in-command.”
Finley nearly dropped the parchment. “Wot?”
“Oh, come on,” her aunt chided. “Ye deserve it. Even Leeth agrees. Erik too. I would be honored tae have ye by mah side, and since ye have been dragging yer feet tae give me an answer, I went ahead and got the council tae approve it this morning.”
Finley glared at the words, but her eyes were crowded with tears and she couldn’t read them. She was the McPherson second-in-command, charged with protecting the clan, its warriors, and her aunt. It was a large undertaking but hers to do with as she wished.
“I dinnae know wot tae say.”
“There’s nothing tae say,” Aunt Edna replied, a smile on her lips. “’Tis a great honor, Finley, one that I think will serve ye well.” She sat behind her table, picking up her quill. “Erik is due tae leave today as well. Soon we will have our clan back.”
The words were like daggers to Finley’s heart. Erik was leaving. She knew the day would be soon, especially now that they had cleared his name, but it hurt all the same. She hadn’t been present when Isabel had confessed, not wanting to see Erik seduce her and know that his hands had been on her body as well just the night before.
In fact, she hadn’t seen him at all since she had crept out of his chamber, her cheeks flushed, and her clothing wrinkled. If the warriors had thought anything of it, they had wisely kept their mouths shut. Her plan had worked well, and she had ensured that McIves had arrived at the right time to hear his wife’s confession, having taken him for a tour of their warrior barracks. Finley had found him gruff but likable, which had hurt her to know that he was about to be hurt by the woman he loved.
She was about to be hurt by Erik’s departure. “Of course, he would leave,” she finally forced out, realizing she had been silent too long. “He needs tae go back tae his clan.”
Her aunt gazed up at her. “Is that all then, Finley?”
Finley swallowed. It had to be all. She had gotten what she had coveted, and Erik was going home a free man. There was nothing left between them.
“Aye, ’tis all.”
