The night had deepened around him. The castle grew quieter than ever, and yet thoughts of Edith did not leave him, not even for a moment. By the time dawn began creeping over the hills, the whiskey was long gone from his system, and his legs ached from hours of futile walking.
Edith was like a plague, taking over every corner of his mind.
He stood alone in the pale morning light and let out a frustrated breath.
Perhaps I shouldnae have kissed her.
He had fought all night to refuse the thought, but perhaps it was time to face it.
The kiss had not been ordinary. It had been different. He could not forget it, and truthfully, he ached for it. That was precisely the problem.
I must be going mad.
He headed back to the castle. The day had already begun, and if he was fortunate, he might be able to bury his thoughts under the weight of duty.
Aaron did not leave his study until it was nearly time for supper. Even then, he almost cursed himself for setting such a rule—that for the duration of their agreement, they would always have supper together regardless of anything else. He had enforced it without thinking it could one day hold him hostage to her presence. And now…
’Tis a foolish rule.
There were only a few minutes left until supper. A few of the clansfolk had gathered in the Great Hall. Children played at the far end of it, their laughter bright as they danced and clapped to a simple tune.
Aaron sat at the head of the table. His fingers curled into loose fists as he watched them, though his mind barely followed any of it. His face was already creased into a frown that did little to hide the lack of sleep.
His gaze drifted to the doors without his permission, and his jaw tightened as he thought of Edith again.
Surely, she wouldnae miss supper.
One of the children ran in his direction, laughing, before his mother hurried after him. She was the wife of one of the elders and heavily pregnant. She looked older than her years, or perhaps she was simply worn by them.
She caught the boy with practiced ease and bowed her head to Aaron.
“Pardon us, me Laird,” she said, not quite meeting his gaze. “The children are only excited to learn. Perhaps Lady Edith would understand.”
Aaron’s attention sharpened at the mention of Edith. He had been smiling at the little boy, but now his mood soured at the condescension in the woman’s tone.
Just then, the doors swung open.
It was Edith.
She wore a pale blue gown that softened her appearance in a way that made her seem almost unfamiliar at first glance.
Almost. There’s nothing soft about the lass.
Freckles were lightly scattered across her cheeks and nose, and her auburn hair hung around her face in loose waves, catching the light as she moved.
She looked as though she hadn’t lost a wink of sleep.
She moved through the hall with her usual confidence, smiling at the people who greeted her until she arrived at the table.
“Me Laird,” she said, and curtsied before taking her seat next to him.
Her lively tone irritated him more than it should have. She did not sound like a woman who had spent the entire night thinking.
“Me Lady,” the pregnant woman greeted her softly.
Edith offered a polite smile in return.
The woman lingered for a moment before speaking again. “The women of the castle are teaching the children how to dance. I ken ye might nae ken, but surely?—”
