Chapter 5

5

“ D o you think this will work?” Thalia asked; her eyes were closed, and her head tilted up toward the sun. The carriages were at a stop for a brief rest while a farmer and his beasts of burden traversed the short path. Finn’s head was on a swivel, his senses alerted to a possibility of coming across bandits.

His expression and tone were metered, clearly distracted but confident. “Aye, I do. We both have something to gain from this in the end.”

She nodded slowly, and he watched as the conclusion washed over her. Her black hair swayed with the lightly blowing breeze as she inhaled, and her piercing green eyes met his on her exhale. “I suppose you’re right.”

They share a brief, silent moment before the forward carriage driver hollered to the group. It was time to move on again, and their journey resumed with the rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the uneven road. The horses cambered on as the distant calls of birds and rustling leaves cheered together loudly in the wind.

“Laird Crawford,” Thalia called out as she draped her arms out of the window again.

Her formality tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he fought to resist but failed. “Aye?”

“There’s something you should know about what we’re about to get into. It might help.”

His gaze fixed on the horizon, but he nodded slightly. “Go on.”

“My sisters are my world. Diana is gentle, and the twins, Caroline and Arabella, are young but sharp-witted. They both have a knack for getting into mischief.”

“And your uncle?”

“The new Lord Pemberton is… difficult. He’s a man driven by his own desires and ambitions. He’s always looking to gain more power and influence, even though he has none as it stands. He’s gambled away every cent he had, but he’s cunning and manipulative. It’s how he’s kept my father’s title for so long without tarnishing it.”

Finn’s eyes were intent as he listened, processing the information. Thalia continued, “When we arrive, he might put on a show of courtesy, but don’t be fooled. He’ll try to play games, and you should be prepared for that. All of you.”

His gaze flicked over to her, but she was still looking ahead. “Ye daenae have to fash about the uncle. I —”

“No.” Her voice was firm and her gaze hard as she pressed herself up to address him. “I’ll handle him. I have a plan.”

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint, amused smile. “That will depend on your kin’s behavior. If he steps out, I’ll be intervening without your approval.”

“I can handle him. I don’t need —”

“Ye belong to me now, Thalia Sinclair. I will nae tolerate any bad behavior towards ye. My duty is to protect ye, and I intend to see that through, no matter what.”

Her cheeks flushed at his declaration, and his groin twitched instinctively. The frustration was clear on her face though something else lingered within her. Finn waited patiently for a venomous response that never came, so he relented. “Tell me about your plan.”

At this, she perked up excitedly, and the action made him chuckle quietly.

“Okay, so I have a plan to arrive and seek an audience with him. You should come with me. I’ll introduce you and try to maintain as much propriety as possible.”

“Why introduce me?”

“Well, you’ll be my husband, correct? Otherwise, you are just a brute that I brought to try and intimidate him.”

Finn raised an eyebrow and look at her sideways at which she rolled her eyes. “So, it’ll be a bit of both. It’s fine.”

“Okay, so we will break bread with the man?” he prompted.

“Not unless the situation calls for it!”

“What else?”

“So, I thought that before I just flat out accuse him and Herbert of sending me to Scotland to get rid of me, I should entreat upon him to bring my sisters so that I might be able to see them.”

“What would seeing them get you?”

She answered quickly, as if his question had an obvious answer, “Strength?”

The strength of family was well understood, but he had not grown up with siblings — let alone sisters. Cillian was as close to a brother that he would get, and he couldn’t imagine needing his approval in order to gain confidence. The wiles of women again confounded him, and he made a note to ask Cillian about it later since he grew up with siblings.

“And then?” he replied, and she dove into the rest of her plan at great length. Finn was able to supply a simple grunt or contemplative head nod to lead her through her thoughts, and when she had finished laying out her plan, a silence rested between them.

He thought it was odd that after her explanation she didn’t entreat upon his approval; she just sat in silent satisfaction. He was sure that the smug look on her face was going to haunt his dreams that night.

It’s nae going to work, but I willnae be the one to tell her that.

They rode in silence for the remainder of the journey; she eventually ducked back into the carriage, out of sight until they reached the inn.

Her tiredness was evident as her face became illuminated by the torchlights outside of the quaint building. Cillian was quick to offer his assistance to her as the door opened, but Finn’s presence was immediate.

“I’ve got this; ye go ahead.” Finn’s voice left no room for argument. He could almost hear his silent laughter at the sudden display of possessiveness, and Thalia clicked her cheek in annoyance.

The two men looked at each other, confused by her annoyance and then both looked up at her for clarification. “It’s all quite unnecessary,” she mumbled to herself, and Finn shrugged his shoulders at Cillian, who turned and walked into the inn.

Finn let loose a chuckle at the awkward tension, and Thalia turned to face him. Her expression was pointed at first and then eased into a genuine smile. “What?”

“Aye, nothing. After ye.”

As the two of them entered the inn, the fire in the hearth was a welcome relief from the chill of the evening air. Though their initial relief quickly turned at the sight of Cillian and Brian’s mischievous grins.

“What is it?” he asked of them, but they just pointed to the plump innkeeper, who greeted them cheerfully, her face expressive and apologetic.

“Me Laird, I’m afraid we daenae have enough rooms for all of ye,” she said, wringing her apron nervously. “We only just received the notice of your arrival, see?” She held up the still unopened letter that was clearly sent by Missus MacKinnon.

Thalia watched as the large man inhaled deeply and then went eerily still. He took up the entire space. Even the torchlights seemed to dim as he took on the formality and airs of a clan leader. The sight of him set her body ablaze from the inside out.

Lord above… she thought as the heat continued to rise up her neck, curve around her ears, and spread across her cheeks and brow. These sensual feelings were new to her, and she fully understood now why men and women alike gave into such feelings. The sin of lust addressed a primal connection between men and women, and Thalia now fully understood that connection.

The large, ornate cross that hung just above the innkeeper’s reception caught her eye, and Thalia flushed with shame. She sent up a silent prayer seeking forgiveness for her transgressions and strength to not give into them.

He’s a brute anyway; how could anyone lust after… that…?

“We’ll make do,” he said sternly. His voice pulling her back into the small space they stood in, and she was suddenly aware that she was biting her lip. She luckily loosed her grip on her lip as the old woman’s eyes connected with her briefly before she bowed deeply and then scurried off. Her husband placed the five keys on the counter. and then he too disappeared.

Finn divvied up the brass among the men wordlessly. First, the carriage drivers then Cillian, Brian, and Brian’s two very large sons. They each stepped away and into the adjacent dining room one by one after receiving their key. He finally circled back to face her and pressed the last key into her palm.

“I will stay with ye, lass.”

At this her eyes widened, her mouth opening slightly in shock. “You — you cannot be serious, Laird Crawford. We do not need to —”

He cut her off with a firm look. “Aye, I’m quite serious, lass, and it’s nae up for debate.”

“But surely, Cillian and Brian —”

“It’s settled,” he interrupted again, his resolve unshakable. Her eyes darted around the connecting draught house, and she noticed that Cillian and Brian already had a busty woman each leaning over their tables.

UGH! Bloody brutes! Why are you testing me, Lord? Murder is another sin.

Before she could even start to object his unfathomable demand, he turned away from her swiftly. The conversation was over. The tension built between them with each step as she followed him into the dining area for their evening meal. Cillian’s teasing did nothing to ease Thalia’s anxiety. His light-heated comments and occasionally glancing between Thalia and Finn with a smirk grated on her nerves. Finn gluttoned himself on the meal though she noted he did not touch the ale.

Why isn’t he drinking anything?

Dinner remained quiet between them as Cillian and the other men chatted and joked loudly, filling the space with a controlled sense of chaos until Cillian stood and held up a pint of ale above his head before turning to face Finn and Thalia.

“Escuse m—” A hiccup interrupted Cillian’s speech briefly. “I wish to propose a toast to the Laird Crawford and his bride-to-be, Miss Thalia Sinclair. May their union be as strong as the Highland winds, as enduring as the ancient hills, and as warm as the hearth of their home. Slàinte mhath!”

The impossibly packed pub all hoisted their pint glasses above their heads and toasted with reckless abandon of any sense of propriety. Forced to accept the toast, Finn grabbed his glass and brought it to Cillian’s before slamming on the table. The golden liquid disappeared in seconds as he gulped it down. It was as if he didn’t take a single breath.

Thalia was impressed by the display but also the entire revelation set her teeth on edge. Unable to shake the feeling of impending awkwardness, she too grabbed a nearby ale glass and slammed it down on the table before bringing it to her lips. She had only tasted wine and whiskey before and was surprised by the taste of beer.

It was cold at first and bitter but not unpleasant. The malty sweetness lingered on her tongue, balancing out the bitterness, and was comforting somehow. She didn’t set the glass down, aping her fiancé. There were swirls of citrus that coursed down her throat quickly. The sensation of the crisp ale was intriguing and made her want to keep drinking it to the last drop.

The draught house went into a frenzy as she slammed the empty glass back down on the table. Her smile was wide with satisfaction and pride as were Finn’s and Cillian’s.

The frustration of their nuptials being announced had disappeared. She now understood the large man sitting next to her.

“Ye alright?” He spoke softly so that only she could hear him, and she nodded slightly before meeting his gaze.

“Yes, I’m all right. Are you?”

“Aye. Ye havenae said a word over dinner.”

“I’m just anxious,” she admitted without thinking and then kicked herself for opening up herself to him.

He nodded in understanding and then hilariously said, “You’ve only been gone about three days. Your sisters are fine. They’ll ken ye well enough.”

That was actually not at all what was making me anxious, but it should have been! What is wrong with me? He was somehow more concerned about my sisters than me!

She recovered quickly with practiced grace. “Thank you for saying that.”

He hummed before continuing, “We’ll get them no matter what happens. I vowed that to ye.”

“You did, indeed,” she relented, recalling their agreement from the previous night.

Maybe he’s less of a brute than I thought…

His eyes connected with hers again, and she saw the frustration and exhaustion clearly.

“I’d like to go to upstairs now, actually,” she managed to say. Her voice came out smaller than she had intended, but he nodded firmly and then pushed away from the table. His hand hovered on her upper back as she followed his actions and let him guide her up and out of the room.

His presence behind her as he followed her up the stairs set her skin ablaze. She wanted to turn around to face him, but she knew that if she did, they would be face-to-face, and it would be so easy for him to lift her into his arms and carry her the rest of the way to their room.

No, I mustn’t.

Thalia’s heart raced as Finn reached around her and stuck the key into the door. He waited for her to push the door open. Her thoughts were jumbled, and her stomach twisted in knots as he closed the door behind her. However, Finn wasted no time in getting comfortable.

To her astonishment, he removed his shirt in one swift motion, tossed it onto the chair, and climbed into bed, turning his back to her as he settled onto the mattress. The sight of his bare back was unsettling, oddly intimate, and incredibly frustrating.

How was this so easy for him? He just hopped into bed like this is not the most uncomfortable thing in the world.

The tension pressed against her chest as she navigated her way around the foreign ties and straps of her dress and laid the pieces on the armchair. She took her time getting ready for bed, trying to navigate her way around the strange new dynamic between them. Unsure of where to lie down, she hesitated, her gaze flitting nervously to Finn’s back.

“Are you asleep?”

“Nay yet,” he kept his back to her.

She looked out the window and saw darkness. The moon was hidden by clouds, or perhaps, it was a new moon — she did not know. What she did know was that it was quite dark. “Do you — do you mind if I light the fire?”

He sighed and pressed himself up to stoke the embers for her silently. “Oh! Thank you,” she said and wrapped her arms around her chest and stomach, as if he hadn’t seen her like this the previous night. His presence was a constant reminder of their precarious situation, and he quietly hummed a response.

The fire grew, it roared less so than in his chambers the night before, and Thalia maneuvered around him as he turned and climbed back into bed.

Does he really want to be married? Just for an heir?

Staring into the flames for a while as she warmed herself up, she finally steeled herself to ask, “Do you — I was wondering —”

“Just come lay down, Thalia.”

Though she was instantly ready to cast a smart retort, this demand left no room for argument. With a mix of reluctance and curiosity, she lay down on the bed, maintaining a safe distance from Finn.

Despite her efforts to stay still, she found herself restless, unable to find a comfortable position. Her legs tangled in her gown and the blanket like quicksand. Her mind raced with thoughts of her sisters, and the unfamiliar proximity to Finn only heightened her unease. Her breathing was uneven and unrelaxed, and he was perfectly comfortable. It was maddening.

She clicked her cheek again at her discomfort and then turned on her side. Their backsides were nearly touching, and she felt her knees squeeze together to fight her improper thoughts.

She flipped over again, and rested on her side, tracing the dip on Finn’s back. The sight of the harsh, uneven scars that crisscrossed his skin intrigued and troubled her. Without thinking, her hand reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against one of the scars.

Finn tensed immediately, his body going rigid. In an instant, he turned around and grasped her hand with a firm grip. The tension in the room was palpable, and Thalia could almost feel the electricity between them. Her breath caught in her throat, and she felt a surge of shame for her impulsive action.

“I’m — I’m so sorry,” Thalia murmured, her voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to —”

Finn growled lowly and menacingly, cutting her off. “Just sleep,” he ordered gruffly. “And stop moving about. It isnae a lake. Ye daenae need to tread to stay afloat. It is a bed. Ye just lay in it.”

Thalia’s anxiety heightened as she turned her back to him, trying to find a comfortable position, and her restlessness continued. Her mind was whirling with thoughts of her sisters and the strange, warm presence beside her. She turned over to lay on her back and shifted a hand behind her head and heard Finn’s frustration as he growled again, “Stay still. We need to sleep. Tomorrow is important.”

“I know. I’m trying!”

“Ye daenae need to try to sleep. Just let it happen.”

Oh? Just let it happen? Why didn’t I think of that? I should just let it happen! Obviously! How silly of me.

She scoffed and rolled over to face away from his large, unmoving body. The minutes ticked on incessantly, and despite his warnings, she kept moving. Her thoughts were a jumbled mess of worry and confusion and arousal. Tossing and turning fitfully, finally Finn’s patience wore thin. With a swift motion, he embraced her from behind, his chest pressing against her back. His hot breath tickled her ear as he spoke softly but firmly, “Go to sleep, Thalia.”

Her heartbeat quickened at the unexpected intimacy of his embrace. The warmth of his body against hers was both comforting and disconcerting. His pressure on his back sent a wave of calm through her body, and she debated whether she should tell him to move or not. His closeness made her feel something she didn’t fully understand, and for once, she stopped fidgeting.

As she shifted slightly to get comfortable in his embrace, Finn’s grip tightened slightly. His voice was low and insistent. “Stay still.”

She could feel his frustration and something else, a palpable tension that made her pulse race. She could feel the heat of his breath on her shoulder as he pulled her in somehow closer. The silent, thick tension rested like a weighted blanket across their bodies.

Thalia’s mind was a swirl of emotions as she tried to rest, but her heart continued pounding. The close proximity was both unnerving and thrilling. Finally, she settled into his embrace, her heartbeat becoming more subdued. She closed her eyes, trying to focus on the comforting warmth of Finn’s body against hers. His breathing slowed and deepened all around her, and she let the rhythm of his slumber lull her to sleep. As she drifted, her thoughts teetered between her sisters and the warmth of Finn’s touch.

Maybe my husband-to-be isn’t such a monster after all.