Page 10 of Never Kiss a Highlander

After a few more minutes, he grew chilled himself and headed back to the keep.

The Mackay waved him over. He was still at the head table, looking like he was hanging onto a mug of ale.

“Join me in my solar for a whisky, Finn. There are a few things we should discuss.”

Finn followed the Clan Chief up the steps to the bedchamber level. At the end of the hall, Finn opened the solar door for the man and they both entered.

“Pour me a whisky, lad.”

Finn went to a small table against the wall and poured them both a whisky. He walked over to where the laird sat near the fireplace and handed him a glass before settling on a chair next to him.

The laid swirled his whisky, studying it for a few moments. “I believe I have made a mistake.”

Finn immediately sat up, hoping this was not the way The Mackay planned to send him home. “What is that, laird?”

“I dinna do right by my daughter.”

Relief flooded him at not being told to pack up and leave.

“Why is that?”

The man rubbed his eyes with his index finger and thumb. “This is no’ for e’eryone to ken, but I allowed my only daughter to become betrothed to a mon who has no respect for her and who will make her miserable.”

He took a sip of his whisky and continued. “She was satisfied with the arrangement, so I dinna think too much about it at the time.”

Although he knew what the arrangement was that the Clan Chief spoke of, he feigned ignorance. He said nothing, but waited for the laird to continue.

He pounded his fist on the desk in front of him. “I allowed my daughter to marry a mon who intends to keep his mistress right in his bed and only visit Alison when he wants to plant a heir in her.”

It sounded even worse when the laird said it than it had when he’d heard it from James. He was curious as to why the man permitted this, but ‘twas not his place to question him, so he remained silent.

The laird shook his head. “I am verra sorry I allowed this.” He seemed to slip into a morose mood, just staring at his drink.

Finn cleared his throat. “Did ye want to discuss something else, my laird?”

The Clan Chief looked at him, almost as if he forgot he was there. “Nay, ye can seek yer bed. We can speak in the morn.”

“Aye.” Finn rose and left the room. Thoughts of Lady Alison and her impending marriage had him tossing all night.

Chapter Four

His first two weeks as second-in-command had come to an end. Finn was quite pleased with how the warriors had taken to his training. They were almost at a point where they were prepared to handle an attack or join any one of the Mackay clans’ warriors to defend its keep.

Thinking of attacks made Lady Alison come to mind. They’d had a few more altercations, but for the most part she had remained busy with other women in the keep preparing for her wedding.

Word had it that the Sinclairs were on their way. The wedding was to take place in two days. Finn had been happy that Lady Alison had been kept busy and away from him. His draw to her was much too strong for a man who needed control and a woman who refused to be told what to do—and was preparing for her wedding.

“Mr. Mackay, can ye help move some of the furniture to prepare for the wedding?” Lady Alison, who had lost a bit of weight since he’d arrived, walked up to him as he sat in the great hall enjoying an end of the day ale.

The lass looked anything but happy about her wedding, but he had promised himself he would never let her know he wasaware of what her soon-to-be husband had made part of the agreement.

“Aye. I can help out.” He downed the rest of his drink and stood. It was the first time they had any sort of interaction since the night they’d stood under the stars and he’d touched her briefly.

He followed her to a room in the basement. She waved at a grouping of chairs and tables stacked against the wall. “We will need these moved upstairs. I realize as second-in-command this is no’ one of yer jobs, but everyone else is busy right now.”

“‘Tis no’ a problem, lass. I doona mind helping.”

She nodded and began to walk away.