Page 11 of It Began With A Kiss
She waited whilst he poured himself his own cup of wine and came to sit next to her in Ewan’s chair. She supposed she must needs get used to the idea that the chair no longer belonged to her husband but to this handsome stranger who now silently stared back at her.
“You must be wondering why I asked for you to join me here today,” Aiden said, taking a sip from his chalice before setting it down. He bent forward to rest his arms on his legs, bringing his body closer.
“Aye, yer… invitation, has crossed my mind a time or two since yesterday,” Iona answered quietly. “What could we possibly discuss?”
“First… your living arrangements. I am certain you have come to learn that returning to your previous life will not work,” Aiden began, folding his hands and continue to stare at her.
“Ye know nothing of my previous life,” Iona snapped.
“I beg to differ.”
“Ye should not presume?”
Aiden held up his hand to cut off the rest of her words. He then sat back in his chair, his elbows on the arms, his hands forming a steeple whilst he continued to assess her. “’Tis not hard to presume much where you are concerned, Lady Iona, and I have learned much of you and your family overnight,” Aiden began, before he continued. “You were the lady of this hall, and your son Gregor is your only child. Your husband, Ewan Ferguson was laird of this very castle and was killed from behind…” he held up his hand again when she was about to give a nasty retort, “…and not by my own hand or that of any of my men, I will add. Your brother-in-law, Broden is even now sitting in a cell in the dungeon after being captured and taking out several of my men. He also made an attempt to kill me, which is why he is currently residing in the dungeon. His fate has yet to be determined, although I must admit I have never come across such an unpleasant person in my life.”
“Ye have Broden in the dungeon?” she smirked in delight.
“You seem pleased he has been taken there.”
“He deserves far worse, I assure ye,” she answered smartly.
Aiden chuckled. “No love lost between the two of you, I see. Very well. He may just have earned an extended visit with the rats just to please you.”
“Why should you care if his incarceration pleases me or not?” she asked with wide eyes.
“Let us just say that I wish for peace between us.”
“Ye wish for peace but how is this possible when all will think of ye as the enemy?”
“That is where you come in, my lady.”
“Me? What is it ye think I can do tae make yer transition tae laird more acceptable with the Ferguson clan and villagers?” She held her breath waiting for the answer, but she knew what he would say before he even uttered one word.
“With your help in showing the villagers you accept me as laird, of course.” A slow smile crept across his lips, but Iona was leery of what exactly her help might entail.
“And what exactly do expect me tae do about it?” she asked with a frown.
“To begin with, you and your son will remain housed in your previous bedchambers as a sign that I have accepted you into my household as valued guests.”
“Guests? If ye think tae keep me here against my wishes or as yer mistress, ye will be waiting for years tae come before I agree tae such an arrangement!”
Another chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I asked no such thing of you, Iona, but if we came to a certain…agreement… I promise you shall be happy in my bed.”
A gasp of outrage left her. “Ye cad!”
“You are the one who brought up becoming my mistress and, whilst the idea does hold some appeal, I must decline at this time. You shall know if I am interested in pursuing such an arrangement when the situation is convenient for me and not before.”
She abruptly stood; her face flushed in outrage. “How dare ye!”
“Sit back down, Iona,” he ordered and waited until she complied.
“I willna be kept here against my will!” she fumed, before clenching her hands together. She had the notion she would rather claw the smug look off Aiden’s face than to sit here calmly waiting for whatever he had in store for her next.
He ran his fingers through his red hair whilst several strands stood on end. He may not have known it but ’twas comical and he suddenly reminded her of a rooster. ’Twas most likely a fair assessment… a rooster after all the hens in the henhouse!
“If you would but let me finish, I will continue my proposal,” Aiden said quietly with a raised brow as he waited for her answer.
“Go on…” Her words were skeptical, for she had no reason to believe anything he said nor to trust him.
