Page 43 of A Two-Faced Laird
The thought of never seeing his funny, mischievous brother again was so difficult to bear that he could not quite believe it. Previously, when he had come to Lewis’s room he had almost expected him to walk through the door at any moment with abig grin on his face, but now he knew that would never happen. Then he realised that he had suspected the truth all along; deep in his heart he had actually known it, but it had been too painful to acknowledge.
Why had Edina told him the truth? How had she found out? Then he realised that she thought he knew the truth already. But who could have told her? That was when he heard his father’s gruff voice at the door, and a wave of hatred swept over him. The door almost caved in with the force of the blows he was raining on it, but Aidan could not bear to open it.
Every one of the Laird’s words was barked in his most commanding, arrogant voice, and eventually Aidan decided to let him in. He eased the chair quietly away from the door—his father was making so much noise, he could not hear him anyway.
The next time Laird Findlay hammered the door, Aidan turned the handle and let it open by itself. The Laird’s momentum sent him hurtling through it, and he stumbled forward and fell on the floor with a cry of pain and fright.
Aidan hauled him to his feet, then looked into his face.
“Why did you not tell me Lewis was dead?” he growled. “All this time I have been hoping and longing to see him again, and you knew he was gone all this time!”
“To protect you,” his father said, as Aidan let him back away. “If it became known that your brother had died a drunk, it would not only have brought shame on the family, but it would have ruined your prospects of a good marriage.”
“There will be no marriage!” Aidan roared, grabbing the front of his father’s shirt and pulling him closer. “Tear up the contracts! I refuse, and if you want me to marry Fenella Anderson, you will have to drag me to the church! I love Edina and I will marry her or no one!”
Laird Findlay pushed his son away, then laughed cynically.
“I knew it,” he said. “I knew there was something between you two. Now, I wonder what Lewis would say if I had arranged a marriage for him. But you know the answer to that, Aidan. He would have obeyed me without question, and if he heard that you had disobeyed me, he would have been desperately disappointed in you. Is that not right, Aidan?”
Aidan had to admit that his father was right. Lewis had been steadfastly loyal to his father and his family, and would have done his father’s will, no matter whether he liked the prospect or not.
The Laird went on, “can you imagine the damage it would do to the relationship between the Andersons and us? One day, you will be the Laird of this castle, and that means you have the responsibility of ensuring the well-being of everyone on the estate.
Imagine that clan turning against us—at best, they would not support us in any future disputes. At worst, they could take up arms against us. Do you want to be responsible for that?
Fenella is the daughter of a strong clan leader, and has been brought up to understand what is expected of her. Having her by your side would strengthen the bond between our families and make such conflicts much less likely.”
His father’s gaze softened slightly, something like pity shining in his eyes.
“You are the only hope I’ve left, Son. You are my only child. Do not disappoint me.”
Aidan nodded.
“Yes,” he said sadly. “Very well, Father, I will marry Fenella. But if I do so, can you leave Edina’s family out of the whole matter? And can you give me just one day with her to explain everything?”
The Laird looked at his son with a level gaze, then he nodded. Aidan had just made one of the biggest sacrifices of his life. The least he could do was give a little in return.
“You may have a few hours with Edina to break the news to her and say goodbye,” he said. “In private. And Edina will have to leave us, because we cannot have your wife and her living under the same roof.”
Aidan nodded slowly. His father was not being cruel; he was right, even though he felt as though a knife had stabbed him through the heart. He could not imagine his home without her in it.
Aidan foundEdina in the library. She looked up and an expression of apprehension crossed her face until he smiled, then she did likewise. She was sitting in a comfortable chair, and he drew her to her feet and into his arms.
Edina closed her eyes and let out a long sigh of contentment, and for a moment, neither said anything. Aidan broke the silence.
“Edina, you will have to leave. I am so sorry. I wish it could be otherwise, but my future bride will be visiting the castle frequently and?—”
“Aidan,” Edina said quietly. “I understand. If you want time to process the news?—”
“We have one night together, my love.” Despite the circumstances, he could hardly keep the longing out of his voice. “Can we make the most of it, and leave the past behind?”
“Oh, yes!” Edina breathed, her eyes shining. “I would love that.”
Aidan took her hand and led her along the passage to his current chamber, and they stepped inside. As soon as the door closed behind them, they fell into a tight embrace, and Aidan groaned with pleasure as he cupped one of Edina’s ample breasts in his big hand.
“Why do you have to be so lovely when I have to lose you?” he whispered.
“We have tonight and tomorrow to make memories,” Edina replied.
