Page 12 of Never Kiss a Highlander

To his surprise, Lady Alison’s eyes filled with tears. “Love is only valuable if it lasts. But it doesna.” With that statement, she left the room.

Alison hurried to her bedchamber, angry with herself for bringing up the subject of her marriage—to Finn Mackay of all people. She hated showing weakness and that was precisely what she had just done.

Would he use the weakness she showed against her? She didn’t trust the man; then she huffed. She trusted no man. They say one thing and then they do something different. At least Archie Sinclair told her right out, even had it put into the betrothal agreement, that his lemman was the most important woman to him.

The evening meal was merely a repeat of all the meals since Finn Mackay had arrived. He and her da had their heads together, discussing weapons, methods, which men were getting better and those who needed more work.

“Ye ken, ‘tis bad manners to discuss these things during the evening meal. That sort of thing should be done in yer solar.”

Finn looked over at her and grinned. “Aye, laird, yer daughter is correct. ‘Tis bad manners.”

“Doona say that ye and me agree on something!” Alison said, with a smile on her face. Probably the first one all day.

Her da huffed. “Daughter, we are discussing important things. If ye want to talk about wedding dresses and other such nonsense, then find one of yer lasses to chatter with.”

Duly chastised, she sat back and studied her supper. Things were bad enough with her da when her brothers died, but, since Finn Mackay arrived, ‘tis like he’d taken the place of his sons, and she was shut out.

She pushed her chair back to leave the table and Finn said, “Nay, lass. I wish to speak with ye after we finish.”

“Let her go,” her da said, waving a dismissal at her. “I want to ask ye about an important matter. When we’re done here, we’ll retire to my solar.”

“Then if ye will excuse me,” she stood and left the table.

As she reached the staircase from the great hall to the bedchambers, one of the guardsmen entered the great hall. “Laird, the Sinclairs have arrived!”

Finn watched Lady Alison continue to the bedchambers upstairs after the announcement of the arrival of the Sinclairs was made. “I will leave ye to greet yer visitors,” Finn said and stood.

The Mackay placed his hand on Finn’s arm. “Nay. I want ye to meet The Sinclair.”

“‘Tis a family matter, my laird. ‘Tis probably better if I allow ye and Lady Alison to greet the guests and I will meet The Sinclair tomorrow.”

“Nay. Stay here.” The laird looked around. “Where did the blasted lass go now?”

“I believe she retired to her bedchamber.”

The laird waved one of the lasses over. “Go upstairs and tell yer lady to make haste and come down here to greet the Sinclairs.”

The lass dipped and headed to the staircase. Finn poured himself another ale, wishing it was whisky. He had no desire to meet the man who was going to treat Lady Alison like a broodmare.

The Sinclairs entered with a great deal of fanfare. The Sinclair marched in first with his oldest son—the groom, Archie Sinclair—behind him. The other three sons followed them side-by-side. It looked as though they were going into battle instead of a wedding.

Finn almost choked on his ale when a woman, dressed in the best of clothing, jewelry and hair ornaments, walked in behind the three sons, moving past them to join the oldest Sinclair son.

He smiled at her, took her arm in his and patted her on the hand. She looked around, obviously unimpressed by the room.

Finn felt his blood begin to boil. The man not only had the nerve to bring his whore with him to his wedding but strutted her alongside him in a show of defiance.

What the bloody hell was wrong with The Mackay? Had he lost his mind that he would allow such disrespect toward his daughter?

Was the conversation they’d had about the strange betrothal agreement a farce? He seemed genuinely upset by what he’d agreed to. Yet, after that he continued to dismiss his daughter and acted as though her wedding was something good, not outrageous

The laird stood and greeted his visitors. “I doona ken where my daughter hurried off to, but I sent one of the lasses to fetch her.

“While we wait I will have the kitchen send in food and drink for ye.”

Archie Sinclair stepped forward. “My companion is quite tired from the journey. Please have one of yer maids bring her to my bedchamber and have a hot bath and a meal sent up to her.”

It was impossible for Finn to stay in the room. In fact, after greeting The Sinclair he intended to stay as far away from the wedding party as he could without offending his laird.