Shaw, listening to them, seemed unaware of Fin’s tension.
Alex still looked amused, as if he watched the antics of jesters.
Seizing on a pause that fell, Fin said, “With respect, my lords, I believe that such a hasty affair may not serve as well as one accomplished with more thought.”
The Mackintosh said testily, “The lass blurted it out to all and sundry, Fin. So there is no reason to delay and every reason to proceed. I ken fine that this puts ye in an unfortunate position, lad—with your own folks not being here,” he added with a glance at Rothesay. “In troth, though, ye’ve been spending so much time with the lass that it has stirred speculation, as such behavior always does. So unless ye expect now to give her the lie and look as if ye’ve been trifling with her—”
“You know I won’t do that, sir. By my troth, I do want to marry her.”
He meant that. No longer was he doing the honorable thing or one that he did not mind doing. Catriona had come to mean much more to him than that.
Even so, he had promised that he would speak for her.
“However,” he added, looking from one man to the next, “I must tell you that… that even now her ladyship is having second thoughts. She—”
“Nae doots, she’ll be nervous, what with Rothesay here, and all,” the Mackintosh interjected. “But her grandame will see to her.”
“Aye, lad,” Shaw said. “ ’Tis better to do it at once before the rumors start.”
“Then that be settled,” Mackintosh said. “Sakes, but ye cannot wait about whilst she has bride clothes made and the like. Rothesay wants to get back to his own business as soon as he reaches agreement with Alex and Donald. Also, lad, if ye marry quick, ye’ll have time to enjoy your lass afore ye have to leave with him.”
As Fin opened his mouth to respond, the door flew open and the lass he was supposed to enjoy strode into the room, her golden eyes flashing.
She fixed her gaze on him at once. “I thought you were going to tell them, sir. Instead, we are now going to marry at once? Sakes, but I—”
Shaw said curtly, “Catriona, that will do!”
She turned to him next. “Will it, Father? God-a-mercy, you may order me to bed one moment and command me to marry the next, but you must not force F—”
Her words ended in a gasp and a cry when Shaw’s hard slap silenced her.
“Not another word,” he snapped. “To shame your lord grandfather and me by behaving so before such a company surpasses anything ye’ve done before! Ye’ll do as we bid you, or by God, I will make you sorrier than you have ever—”
“No, sir,” Fin cut in coldly. “You will not. Not unless you want me to call an end to my part in this marriage right now.”
Chapter 14
Catriona had heard her father’s threat, but distantly, because from the moment she put a hand to her fiery cheek, she had been gazing in shock at the others in the chamber. She realized with dismay that her anger had blinded her to the fact that Alex and Rothesay were there.
She had seen only Fin at first and had expressed herself as if they had been alone until Shaw’s command had diverted her anger to him.
She did hear what Fin had said, though, and the ice in his voice sent shivers up her spine. Waiting for Shaw’s response, she did not even breathe.
He’d flicked a glance at Fin and still glared at her, but he did not speak.
An ache filled her throat, and the silence lengthened until Fin said, “My lord Rothesay, I would take it kindly if you would allow her ladyship and me to be privy with her family… for a short time, at least, sir.”
Another silence fell, but it was brief, because Alex Stewart got up, saying, “Come along, Davy. We’ll find someone to wake up that friar of Donald’s.”
Hearing Rothesay’s chuckle, Catriona watched as he got to his feet, made her a slight bow, and left. Turning back to her father, she knew she ought to feel some relief with Rothesay and Alex gone. But, eyeing the still angry Shaw, she felt none.
When she heard her grandmother’s voice in the background, bidding the two great lords goodnight, she felt worse. Lady Annis was only too likely to share her granddaughter’s earlier defiance of her with the others.