It was like watching a tennis match. Willamina’s eyes shifted from one brother to the next. Their identical appearances only differentiated by the complete opposite looks on each of their faces.
“I only think it proper that Lady Watson knows what brought about the change.”
“Fingal,” Finlay stood abruptly. “That is enough.”
Willamina had never seen Finlay’s face so red. He was getting most upset. Whatever could Fingal say that could anger him so?
“’Tis no’ enough, dear brother. The truth should be brought to light. Lady Watson,” Fingal turned and addressed her. “What my brother has failed to tell ye, and is obviously no’ wanting me to tell ye either,” he smirked at Finlay, an evil, snide smile that made him look positively nasty. “My brotherneedsto marry ye. Our father has dictated it so.”
“Fingal, for all that is holy, that is enough!” Finlay shouted.
Willamina was confused. Early on Finlay had said, well, no, he just said he wanted to be off the market so as to get away from all the meddling mothers. She thought back to their earlier conversations. She had believed there was something he was holding back, but she was keeping her own secret, so she couldn’t fault him.
“Without ye, he loses his title.”
Willamina sucked in a breath, and a silence filled the room.
Until Finlay launched himself across the table and pinned his brother to the floor. “Ye fucking arsehole.” He landed three solid punches to Fingal’s face before Gunn and Malcolm pulled him off and held him away.
Fingal just laughed as blood streamed from his nose and Yvette dropped to her knees beside him.
Willamina did not know what to do. Fingal’s words played over in her mind.
Even though they both knew their union was a ruse, she thought they had been honest with each other as to the reasons.
Even as she thought that, she knew it wasn’t true. They both were hiding things. But using her to keep his title? How was that even possible? How does one lose their title? That seemed like something he should have told her about.
She pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache suddenly making her head spin. She looked around. Finlay was cursing up a storm at his brother, while Fingal just laughed. His friends were trying to calm him down, and Clarissa and Gwen stared in horror.
Willamina backed away from the table. And for once, Gil offered support when he stepped up and guided her to the door.
“Willamina!” Finlay called out. “Let me explain.”
She squared her shoulders. “I should verra much like to leave now. I have much to consider.”
“Ye canna consider without all of the facts. Please,” he begged. The pain on his face tugged at her heart.
There was more to the story than the clipped version Fingal spoke of. But she did not want to hear it tonight.
“Tomorrow morning. Come to Buckwood Manor. Tonight, I would just like to think. Good eve.”
And with that, Gil pushed her out the door and into their waiting carriage.
“Cousin—”
Willamina stopped him with a hand up in the air. “Dinna. I dinna want to talk about it tonight.” She angrily swiped at the tears that began to fall.
She found it ironic that she had vowed to tell Finlay the truth about her past tonight and she hoped in doing so, that shewouldn’t lose him. But in a twist of fate, she found out his truth, and now she was the one running away.
If the marriage was to be on paper only, why did it matter the reason?
And why did the real reason hurt so much?
