Inverness afterward with Morag. They’ll stay the night at Moigh, he said, and I thought that ye two might like to stay there, as well. Ye’d sleep in my chamber, for James has his own rooms above it.”
Fin glanced at Catriona, but her grandfather did not allow for discussion.
“Ye’ll have a few days to yourselves,” he said, “whilst we sort an agreement out here. Then, when Rothesay is ready to depart, you can return. Sithee, Moigh sits just fifteen miles away, and the coming back takes less time than the going.”
Fin said, “ ’Tis a generous offer, sir, that we will gladly accept. But I mean to talk to Rothesay about more generous leave. If he agrees, I’ll take Catriona to meet my family before we return.”
“Aye, well, ye’ll decide that for yourself, I expect, or Davy will. In the event, ye’re always welcome here and at Moigh, so there be nae more to say about that. As for ye, lassie,” he said, turning to Catriona. “What d’ye say to all this now?”
“I’m willing, sir,” she said, flushing deeply. “I… I must apologize to you, though, for my behavior earlier. I let my temper overcome me, sir.”
“Ye did, aye, but ye should be apologizing to your father as well, lass.”
When she nibbled her lower lip, Fin felt a strong protective urge to say that that might wait. But he knew the Mackintosh was right, so he held his peace.
Catriona wondered if she knew what she was doing. Her grandfather was acting as he always did with her, gruff and stern but kindly withal. Still, he would do nothing to make her apology to Shaw easier. Nor, by the look of Fin, would he.
For that matter, she had known all along what she would have to do.
“I will do it straightaway,” she said. “Did you and Rothesay decide exactly when this wedding is to take place, sir? Before we break our fast, or after?”
“Before,” her grandfather said. “That way, ye and the lad here can have a wedding feast and Rothesay and the others can meet after your party has gone.”
Fin said, “I’ve been wondering, sir, just what the situation is between Clan Chattan and Clan Cameron. I know our truce is still in effect, but I’ve heard—”
“Whatever ye’ve heard be nobbut mischief dreamed up by them who would keep us busy fighting each other, lad,” the Mackintosh said firmly. “If the truce betwixt our two clans should fail, it will not be Clan Chattan that breaks it. Nor do I believe that any Cameron leader wants aught at present save peace.”
“Thank you, sir. I had heard only whispers, but in such a case…”
“Aye, one’s imagination can feed all manner of bad cess into one’s mind. Let it rest, expect the best, and all will be well. I’ve a notion that a day or two at Moigh will ease your mind considerably. The place does have that effect.”
A strange sensation stirred in Catriona as her thoughts drifted. She would sleep with Fin at Moigh. The thought stirred her imagination, serving up images of what that might be like. The image of him walking naked on the shore lingered longer than most, so when she realized that he was watching her, heat flamed in her cheeks. It spread quickly then through the rest of her as well.
“Is Shaw still in the hall?” Fin asked, bringing her instantly back to earth.
“Aye, he must be,” Mackintosh said. “He said he would await my return.”
“Then I suggest that we see him and then send this lass upstairs to her maidservant. They have much to do before they sleep to prepare for the morrow.”
Catriona did not think it mattered how much she and Ailvie had to do. She would not sleep a wink.
Fin opened the door for her, and she saw Shaw standing just beyond it in the hall. He was clearly on the watch for them, because he came to meet her at once.
“Lassie,” he said.
“I’m sorry I was so rude to you, sir,” she said at the same time.
“Aye, me, too,” he said, pulling her close. “Ye deserved a good smack, lass, but ye didna deserve to bear it in front of yon rascally Rothesay and Alex Stewart.”
Glancing around to be sure that those gentlemen were not also still in the hall, Catriona said, “In troth, sir, had you not stopped me as you did, I fear that I might have said more than I should. Sithee, I was so angry that I was