“Go clean yerself,” he said. “And change into an evening gown. Tonight, we make the announcement.”
He had meant to dismiss her there. Instead, he stepped forward, gently taking her hand in his own without fully thinking it through.
Edith stilled. Her eyes flashed, and he bowed his head, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand—a simple formality to seal their deal, though there was no one present to witness it but them.
Then he caught her scent.
Wild lavender.
It was a scent that suited her too well. Raw and distinct. Subtle, unlike the heavy floral scents worn by the Highland ladies, and yet strong enough to wrap around him instantly.
Aaron went still, his breath catching. His mouth lingered on her skin a moment longer than it should have. Long enough for her to shift faintly, pulling her hand back ever so slightly. He straightened, releasing her at once.
He cleared his throat, averting his gaze briefly.
“Be ready when the dinner bell rings,” he said, his voice lower and rougher than it had been moments ago. “Ye will be announced first. Do ye understand?”
“Perfectly,” Edith responded coolly.
He studied her a moment longer before speaking again. “I shall assign ye a guard.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Ye daenae trust me?”
Aaron nearly scoffed aloud.
Trust had little to do with it. If Edith were anything like his sister, then she would be unpredictable. He had no reason to believe she would not bolt if given a chance to.
Still, he chose not to press the matter further. If a fake betrothal was going to work, he needed to trust her to at least commit. Perhaps it would keep her from changing her mind before the announcement.
He closed the distance between them again in a single step.
Edith inhaled sharply as his fingers brushed the side of her face, her eyes widening slightly at his proximity. His fingers slid briefly against a loose strand of auburn hair, soft against his calloused skin, before he curled them into a fist.
He could barely resist the urge to pull her closer.
It was an unwelcome thought, and he pushed it away at once. That was not part of the bargain. Not yet, anyway.
He leaned into her ear. “Ye willnae run, Edith.” His voice was barely a murmur. “If ye do… I will find ye.”
He caught another whiff of wild lavender in her hair, then he stepped back, gesturing toward the door.
Edith did not hesitate, not even for a breath. She reached for the door, pulling it open as though she could not bear a second more in his presence.
“Daenae be late,” he said, and she walked out of the room without looking back once.
Perhaps I should assign that guard straightaway.
The Great Hall was packed by the time Aaron went down for dinner that evening.
The room thrummed with anticipation, voices carrying loudly across the space as laughter filled the air. Firelight flickered from torches lining the high walls, casting restless shadows over the gathered clansmen, and the air smelled faintly of ale and wine.
Aaron spotted the councilmen immediately, standing at the front beside the elders. They looked perfectly pleased with themselves. Wide smiles spread across their faces as theyclinked their tankards together, several empty bottles of ale littering the table in front of them.
This was an evening of celebration.
More than once, Aaron heard the name MacFaris drifting through the hall in careless conversation. They thought they had him cornered, but he would soon prove them wrong.
He crossed the hall slowly, acknowledging no one beyond the occasional nod before taking his place at the head of the high table.
