Page 68 of Love with a Scottish Outlaw
“You’re putting off the inevitable. Into the pool we go. I’ll go first.”
She stepped down onto the first ledge of the pool, and the water was frigid. Her chemise caught in the little current that expanded out from the base of the waterfall, billowing out around her. Feeling with her toes, she found the next ledge and sank deeper, to just above her knees. One more step found her up to her waist, and she tried not to let her teeth chatter. For a moment, she thought of the bathing tub that was brought right to her bedchamber, the line of servants carrying buckets of hot water, the piles of soft, expensive towels, and the finest soaps.
“See?” she called. “It’s not bad.”
She turned to see if Finn was undressing, only to stumble back in shock as Finn came barreling toward her, fully clothed but for his shoes. He jumped from ledge to ledge until he reached hers, crouched until the water reached his neck. After scrubbing his face hard with both hands, he jumped back out again, streaming water.
Cat could only gape at him for a long moment, as he shivered and looked proud of himself. She stepped up from ledge to ledge until she faced him head-on.
“Finn, it’s obvious you don’t want to undress in front of me, and I understand that. But you have to take off those terrible clothes and put on new ones. I can turn my back.”
Then she frowned and peered down curiously into his small face, free of dirt. A spasm of alarm widened the boy’s eyes, and he tried to turn away but she caught his chin.
“Finn, what is your name short for?” she asked softly.
He said nothing.
“Fiona?” Cat whispered.
“Nay, say no more!” The blue eyes flooded with tears.
“Tell me. I’ll tell no one else.”
“Finola.” The word came out full of misery and despair. “Ye’ll tell Himself and the clan, I know ye will.”
“I will not.” Cat had her own secrets, after all. She stared down at the girl, her heart aching for her. It was terrible enough to be an orphan in the dangerous parts of Glasgow, but to be a little girl must be far worse. “You must have had a good reason to hide your true self.”
At first, Finn said nothing. Cat remained silent.
The little girl’s shoulders slumped. “Me mum was dying. ’Twas her idea, because I would have no one.”
“How long has it been?” Cat asked gently.
Finn shrugged. “Many years.”
Cat put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re not alone now.”
Finn hesitated, then shrugged it off. “I was safe this way.”
“You were very brave and resourceful. I’m sorry your mother passed away.”
“I—I barely remember what she looks like,” Finn admitted, her voice breaking.
“Our memories can play tricks on us.”
Finn searched Cat’s face, and Cat felt herself blush.
“You don’t need to see your mother’s face to feel her love inside you,” Cat said gently. “And you’re not in Glasgow anymore. You’re where people want to take care of you.”
Finn stiffened. “Tryin’ to push me off on someone else, ye mean.”
“They want to find you a good home.”
“This can be me home. Tell them. Himself listens to ye.”
“That is not true. Maeve is the one—”
“He doesn’t look at Maeve the way he does you.”
