He stepped toward her.
Gwendolyn stiffened. “Staywhere you are!”
At the nervousness in her voice, he paused. Never would he cause her harm, except that she believed he was Bróccín, a warrior renowned as a brutal leader. Regardless of the man’s reputation, he couldn’t pretend to possess that level of cruelty. She was a pawn, a move toplay, no more.
“I will not hurt you,” Aiden assured her.
She didn’t move.
“You are afraid of me,” he said.
As if poking a badger with a stick, her eyes flared with warning. “Ifear nay man.”
Memories of the brutality he’d witnessed in war slammed through his mind. “Then you are a fool.”
“You know naught about me to make such a judgement, but know this: I am far from a weak-kneed lass you can intimidate.” She angled her jaw. “I agreed to Lord Comyn’s request to wed a man of his choosingonlyto ensure my people’s safety, and to protect my home. I assure you, if I had a full contingent of knights to keep my castle secure, our marriage would never take place.”
Her face flushed with anger, her blond locks framing narrowed gray eyes, she looked like a defiant fairy and, to Aiden, the lass couldn’t have been more beautiful. Irritated by the shot of need sliding through him, he focused on his mission. He and his men couldn’t risk raising suspicion during their brief stay. Neither could he allow her rebellious nature to interfere with their plans.
“Your people and home will be cared for.” By which side was another matter. “As your betrothed, you will obey me. I will not tolerateyour defiance.”
“I will be your wife,” she stated, “but never will I capitulate to being an observer when it comes to my people’s needs.”
He shoved aside his growing admiration for the fierce lass, damned yet another innocent was harmed in Lord Comyn’s bid for power. Nor, with the stakes so high, couldthis be helped.
Aiden folded his hands over his chest. “So long as you follow my orders, we shall be comfortable with each other.”
“I await the day you ride off to battle,” she said.
“Nay more than I.” And more thanshe understood.
The door opened. Cailin andRónán entered.
After a surprised pause, Rónán shut the door. The knight’s gaze shifted from Aiden to her. “Is something amiss?”
Aiden unfurled his arms. “Lady Gwendolyn was just leaving. My lady, I will seeyou at supper.”
She stiffened, and he could all but see the angry thoughts whirling in her head. She gave a curt nod. “My lord.” She strode past his men, slammed the door in her wake.
“God’s blade,” Cailin said, “the lass is angrier than awounded bear.”
“She is, and rightly so.” Aiden met his friend’s gaze. “I despise talking to her with such disdain. She is a strong and proud woman, but a stubborn one as well.”
“What happened?” Rónán asked.
“I had begun prayers when I heard a sound from behind the statue.” Aiden walked behind the figurine, frowning at the bottles of oil on the floor and a small door cracked open. He pushed it wider, impressed by the array of oils lining the hidden shelf. “’Twould seem I caught her replenishing oils and herbs, but after I entered, she didna make her presence known. For the short time we are here, we must be careful. I willna risk herinterference.”
“We need the lass’s aid to discover whether a secret tunnel to the castle exists,” Cailin said.
“As much as I agree, given the tension between us, I doubt the time exists to gain her trust.” Aiden stowed the bottles she’d left, then closed the small door. “For the few days we will remain, all we must do is allow her to continue to believe I am her betrothed. If somehow I can convince her to divulge the location of the secret passageway, so be it.”
His men nodded.
Aiden continued, “Given her reluctance to marry, she willna seek me out and we can explore unheeded. Once it is dark, come to my chamber and report your findings; then we will discussour next step.”
“How will you warn us if there is trouble?” Cailin asked.
“I will rub my thumb across my jaw.” Aiden paused. “Any other questions?”
