Last night, after my mother sneaked into the tower bedroom to make Joey more comfortable, I considered sneaking in there myself.Mother undoubtedly assumed no one had seen her entering and exiting the tower.She also must have believed I didnae catch on to her plan.
My motives were...less altruistic than hers.
I love Mother all the more for worrying about Joey.Whatever my father believes, I'm convinced that Joey is a good man deep down.So what if he was a thief back in New York City?Everyone deserves a second chance.
After dressing and fixing my hair, I rush downstairs to the great hall for breakfast.
Father and Joey haven't come down yet.Neither have the aunts.My grandparents left for Loch Fairbairn early this morn, which I know because I was already awake and waiting to say goodbye.Mother sits alone at the table, calmly sipping her morning tea.She looks up at me with those knowing eyes that always seem to read my thoughts before I've even formed them properly.
"Good morning, sweetie," she says, her voice lilting with that musical quality that makes even the simplest greeting sound delightful."You're up early."
I slide onto the bench across from her, trying to appear casual."Just hungry is all."
"Mmm."The sound she makes is noncommittal, but her eyes twinkle."Nothing to do with our guest, then?"
Heat rises in my cheeks."I dinnae know what you mean."
"Of course not."She pushes a plate of bannocks toward me."Though I suspect our Mr.Finnegan will be down shortly.He was restless when Kieran checked on him this morning."
I spring off the bench, suddenly feeling a wee bit faint."Did Father..."
"Beat the shit out of Joey?"She grins, shaking her head."You don't really believe your father would do that."
I slump back onto the bench."Nay, I dinnae believe it.I'm anxious to see Joey, that's all."
"Naturally."
Mother's smile widens, and I know I've revealed too much.All I can do to avoid her knowing gaze is busy myself with buttering a bannock.
"Your father may be as stubborn as a Highland mule, but he's not unreasonable."She clasps my hand."He's just protective.Give him time, and I'm sure Kieran will come around to our point of view."
"Ourview?"
She gives me a quick hug."I'm on your side, Rachel.Always."
The great hall door swings open.Joey enters, dark hair tousled in that careless way that somehow looks deliberate.He scans the room before his attention lands on me, and something in my chest flutters wildly.Aye, Joey has done that to me.
"Morning," he says."I slept like a baby last night, if anybody's interested."
Father has just entered the great hall and sat down in his chair at the head of the table.Joey's words were clearly meant for the laird of Dùndubhan.But Father only lifts one brow briefly.
Mother gestures to the empty space beside me."Join us, Mr.Finnegan.I trust you slept well?"
Joey's gaze flicks to me before he answers, and I wonder if he's remembering my mother's midnight visit."Better than expected, considering."
"Considering my husband has you sleeping in what amounts to a drafty prison cell?"Mother's tone is light, but I can hear the apology beneath it.
"It has a certain rustic-meets-prison kind of charm."Joey slides onto the bench next to me, close enough that I can feel his warmth radiating into me."Reminds me of my first apartment in Brooklyn.Except with a better view and fewer cockroaches."
Father grunts, reaching for his tankard.I catch the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth---not quite a smile, but not displeasure either."The tower room has housed many a visitor.Some more welcome than others."
Joey doesn't flinch under my father's scrutiny.Instead, he meets his gaze steadily, and I feel a flare of admiration for his courage.Most men cower before my father, the great Laird Kieran MacTaggart.
"I appreciate the hospitality," Joey replies breezily, reaching for a bannock."Even if it comes with a side of suspicion."
I tense, waiting for Father's reaction.To my surprise, he lets out a short bark of laughter.
"At least yer honest about it," Father says."More than I can say for most strangers who've wandered onto our lands."
