“Perhaps that’s the problem.” Her shoulders sagged. “It’s all been too easy. Younever had to woo me, because I’ve loved you for as long as I knew what it meant to love.”
“Mags!” He stepped closer. “You must know this is real. The night we’ve spent together. It’s the happiest I’ve been since…you must see, Margaret, I need you!”
“Do you?” She sounded weary. “From where I’m standing you seem to have been managing perfectly well. All those years of study, then building your business. You all but disappeared as soon as we were betrothed. What does that tell me? Even this past year, did you once try to seek me out?”
He was caught off guard. This wasn’t at all the way things were supposed to go, but he wasn’t doing the best job of steering them back to his way of thinking. “I didn’t think you’d want me to and…I thought you’d come back on your own—especially after seeing how successful the business was becoming.”
“Is that what you thought? That I’d change my mind on seeing you had coin inthe bank! You think I’m so shallow?” She gave a strangled, half-sob. “We all know the coffers of Dunrannoch were in a poor state when you inherited them, but I loved you all the same. When did I ever give you cause to think differently?”
“That’s not what I meant. I…” Finlay’s mouth was parched. “Perhaps you’re right. I took you for granted, thinking you’d always be here, waiting for me, but we can change things, can’t we? You can’t deny, we’re good together. Last night?—”
She cut him off. “What do you want? For me to sit and wait for the times you visit, while you live a whole other life elsewhere?”
“Nay, it’s what I was about to tell you. I have it all worked out. A plan!” He took another step toward her, but she held the bagpipes between them. “Look, I’m not such a dunderheid. I’ve wronged you, lass, and I’ve regrets. If I had the time again, I like to think I’d do better. Iwilldo better!”
She stared at him. “What regrets? About taking my brother’s money without telling me?”
“Aye.” He swallowed. The conversation was becoming more and more uncomfortable, but he couldn’t run from it. “I love you, Magsie. I always have, and it never occurred to me you’d think I wanted you for some other reason. But I understand why that doubt might have crept in. I was so wrapped up in myself, I didn’t see what you needed.”
“All I wanted was your time!” The look in her eyes speared him through. “To believe I was important to you! We announced our betrothal and then I hardly saw you.”
He felt sick to the stomach, seeing how she was hurting, and that he was the cause. He’d thought she’d always adore him, unconditionally, regardless of how he treated her in return.
Finlay’s tongue felt thick as he tried to find the right words. “I don’t know why I did that. I was caught up in the business but…I know that’s no excuse. In my mind, I always pictured us here after we were wedded. A new page for Dunrannoch—you and I together.”
She pushed the heel of one hand to her eyes. “It’s what I wanted too.”
He seized on that like a drowning man to a raft. “You’re right, Mags, and we’re going to spend more time together, I promise. You and I, bringing life back to Dunrannoch. You can get the place shipshape. New curtains, whatever you like! And you can keep working with the books.”
“How very gracious of you.” A touch of flint entered her voice. “I’m glad you’re being so accommodating. That makes this easier. I hope you’ll now release me from the marriage.”
It seemed, suddenly, as if he had ice in his veins.
“Perhaps us being here is a blessing, after all,” she added. “If you care for me as you say, you’ll petition for what I ask—a divorce, so we can go our separate ways.”
“Nay, Mags. Please!”
What had gone wrong? Had he not said the right words, or had she not heard him? He had it all worked out. She was supposedto tell him she loved him back, and that everything would be wonderful.
Finlay went to embrace her, but she jabbed the bagpipes at him hard enough to send the dust flying, making him sneeze.
“I’m not staying.” She spoke determinedly. “I’d appreciate it if you went to the stables. I see it’s stopped snowing, so there’s no reason you shouldn’t ask Jamie to ready the carriage.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He was starting to feel angry. “The snow’s likely too deep. It’s not fair on the horses nor the lad.”
However, she was having none of it. “I’ll ride back alone if necessary. Whichever horse is strongest. I’m confident in the saddle.”
“You’re acting on impulse. Come now, Mags.” He knew it wouldn’t help for him to lose his temper. “Don’t let your emotions rule you.”
“Like they did when I fell in love with you, and promised to be your wife?” She punched the bagpipes, sending up more dust. “Likethey did when I thought these dratted things were being played by the ghost of Camdyn and I screamed in fright?”
Finlay sneezed again, and then found he couldn’t stop.
By the time he’d thrown the awful instrument on the floor, Margaret was across the room and heading toward the wardrobe.
“Might there be a cloak in here? Some old coat of yours would do, or your father’s? I don’t care, as long as it covers me up.” She began opening one of the doors, obliging him to race over and stand in front of it.
“No coats. Those are…in the boot-room, I should think, although I’ve a feeling my mother gave away most of my father’s things, and she was wearing her cape when she left for Oban.”
