who would think that leaving as I did was cowardly.”
When she did not comment, he experienced a moment of uncertainty. “Look at me, Catriona.” When she did, he said, “Art sure that you do not agree that it was? I would not blame you if you did. I know that we talked about—”
“Ivor believed that you should leave. That is enough for me, Fin Cameron, just as it was for you. Sakes, no sensible person could believe that a man who outlasted his opponents and twenty-nine of his companions on such a day is a coward.”
Her tone made it impossible to disbelieve her. He began to relax.
“There is another thing, though,” she said. “Since you were able to intervene with Rothesay, I do think you might have stood up to my father as well. Marrying you is a far better fate than marrying Rory Comyn, but if you let them force you—”
“I think you know that at this point I have as little to say about it as you do,” he said. “If you want me to tell them that you still oppose the match, I will. But you ken fine that they care more about protecting you than acceding to your wishes.”
“Will you really tell them that I don’t want them to make me marry you?”
“I will.”
“They may listen to you,” she said. “Go and do it then. I warrant Father must be waiting for you across the hall with Ivor and James.”
Accordingly, Fin walked to the landing with her and watched until she had vanished around the first curve of the stairs. Then, rapping on the door across the way and hearing only silence, he opened it to an empty room.
“Beg pardon, sir.”
Turning, he saw Tadhg on the stairs below him. “Aye, what is it?”
“The laird be in the inner chamber wi’ the Mackintosh and them. He would see ye there now that her ladyship has gone up for the night. And, sir?”
“What else?”
“I say it be a fine notion that ye be going tae marry our lady Catriona.”
“Sakes, does the whole castle know what goes on here tonight?”
“Nay, sir, but I were at hand when the laird told the Mackintosh it be all set.”
“I’ll go down at once, Tadhg. Prithee, go to my room and tell my squire that I shall be along shortly. He is to wait for me. But do not share this news with him.”
Waiting only for the boy’s assent, Fin went down to the hall.
When Aodán admitted him to the inner chamber, he saw not only Shaw and the Mackintosh but their ladies, Rothesay, and Alex Stewart as well. Donald had apparently retired for the night, and neither James nor Ivor was there, nor Morag.
Fin wished Ivor were there. Without him, he felt alone against many again.
Rothesay grinned at him, clearly still enjoying himself, and Alex also looked amused. Shaw looked as stern as usual, the Mackintosh quietly pleased.
Catching the lady Ealga’s eye, Fin received a warm smile.
Lady Annis eyed him more measuringly.
“Is all well above?” Shaw asked him.
With Rothesay and Alex there, Fin said only, “Aye, sir,” and hoped Shaw would know that he preferred to say no more than that in their presence.
Rothesay said, “How could it be otherwise? ’Tis grand to be so delightfully amused as we have been this evening. We must proceed at once with the wedding.”
Catriona reached her landing to find Boreas lying at her door, his small gray shadow curled tightly atop him. The dog blinked at her, moving only its tail. The kitten raised its head and greeted her with a plaintive “mew.”
Opening the door to let them in, she felt her mood lighten and realized that her last exchange with Fin had still weighed on her mind. She felt as if she had cast him into the briars again. But he did enjoy debating anything with her, so it had seemed reasonable that he might persuade Shaw and her grandfather that the wedding need not take place. Not yet. Perhaps later… someday.
She sighed. The fact was that she did want to marry him, very much.
Just thinking of his touch was enough to make her feel it again through every fiber of her body. When he held her, she felt as if she belonged in his arms.
She could recall no one since childhood who had comforted her so tenderly. Perversely, that thought made her wonder if her insistence that she could take care of herself had made him think her childish. He had called her