Page 9 of Never Kiss a Highlander

She raised her chin and pushed her trencher away. “I wish ye a good evening, da. I am feeling a tad tired this eve.”

“Aye, daughter.” He immediately turned back to Finn and they continued their conversation.

Mayhap she wasn’t permitted to leave the castle now, but she desperately needed fresh air. A walk inside the walls was just what she needed. Were she not so worn down with gloom, she would defy both her da and the arrogant Mr. Mackay and leave anyway.

The air was downright cold. Winter was not far off. She wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed them with her hands. If she wasn’t afraid of running into Finn, she would return for her cloak.

Although cold, the night was clear, millions of stars gazing down on her.

Her thoughts wandered as she walked. What would her life be like at Castle Sinclair Grinigoe? Would she be happy?

She huffed. Nay. She reminded herself she no longer sought happiness. All she wanted was to be left alone. This match with Sinclair was exactly what suited her.

“A tad chilly tonight to be strolling, eh, lass?”

That voice, like honey sliding down her back, immediately began her heart thumping. She turned to see Finn staring at her, his hands behind his back, a slight smile on his face. One of the few he’d ever cast in her direction.

A tart remark formed on her tongue, but she found she hadn’t the heart for bickering tonight. Instead, she shrugged. “I find I prefer the cold. It makes me think of hot mulled wine, a warm fireplace and my comfortable dressing gown.”

Finn reached out and tucked a wayward strand of her hair behind her ear.

She shouldn’t allow him to touch her. He was the one who made her da call her “trouble.” She closed her eyes, wanting … she knew not what. Just something to make this feeling of sadness go away.

“Are ye looking forward to yer marriage?”

Alison huffed. Then realizing who she was talking to, and not wanting more pity from him, she smiled. “Aye.”

His not looking convinced made her wonder if he’d heard about the conditions of Sinclair accepting the betrothal. The ultimate embarrassment.

She took a deep breath. “I believe I will retire for the night.” She stepped away. “Good eve.”

He reached out and touched her arm, stopping her. “I dinna mean to chase ye away. Even though ‘tis cold, ye seemed to be enjoying the night air.”

She felt herself soften, even though she wasn’t quite sure why. When they spoke like this with no animosity, she found he was most likely a nice man. One who, no doubt, had no problem filling his bed.

“Do ye enjoy looking at the stars, lass?”

“I do. Someone once told me there is a huge black cover over the earth and small holes in it make the stars.”

He smiled. “And do ye think so?”

She shook her head. “Nay. It seems like a bairn’s story to me.”

It had truly grown quite cold and, even though she and Mackay were not at odds with each other for a change, she really did need to return to her bedchamber. “I believe I will seek my bed now. It does grow cold.”

He nodded and stayed where he was as she made her way into the great hall and then up to her bedchamber.

Another long night of no sleep, most likely.

Finn watched Lady Alison walk away from him. The woman annoyed him and challenged his control but at the same time he was fascinated with a lass who was willing to enter into a marriage with a man who intended to keep his mistress. He shook his head.

Either the woman had no pride—which he knew was not true based on the few times they’d interacted—or she didn’t care enough about marriage and what it meant.

When he’d first spotted her staring up at the stars, he’d had planned to apologize for what she heard her da say, but changed his mind when he grew closer and saw her face.

She had let her shield down and looked too vulnerable. An apology could only make things worse. She might not be able to protect herself right now. That made him wonder why he thought those words. As if the lass was in the habit of protecting herself.

His thoughts wandered away from Lady Alison and he considered how his day had gone with the training. ‘Twas definite that the laird had let things slip with maintaining his warriors training. Losing two sons so close together was certainly difficult, but strong warriors had to be a priority for a Clan Chief.