Page 14 of It Began With A Kiss
They began to move forward again, and he was thankful when they reached the mainland. “Aye, of course, ’twas my plan. ’Tis my greatest hope that, by being seen with you, ’twill put the clan and villagers at ease.”
“Then keep tae yer plan, although I still have my doubts such a ploy will work. Time is the only thing that may be in yer favor. Besides, that rat Broden will crawl out from whatever hole he is hiding in at some point. He craves attention and will surface when he can no longer stand when someone isnae fawning over him. He will also need time tae gather his forces tae try and take the castle from ye,” Iona said before she raced ahead and took Gregor’s hand.
Aiden shook his head at the sight of mother and son in the morning sunlight. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves for whatever awaited him in the village. A chuckle erupted behind him, and he turned to look over his shoulder. Finlay held back a further laugh and cleared his throat, attempting to look innocent.
Aiden frowned. “You have something to say?” he grumbled.
Finlay pointed to the boy. “The lad has more wits about him than most his age. Is he the same rascal who caught ye on the wall?”
“Aye,” Aiden muttered, before swiping his hand over his neck, “and alerted the guards, the young pup! He has more gumption than most men I know.”
“Ye shall have yer hands full with that one,” Colin replied with his own amused tone.
Duncan’s laughter joined the rest of the knights who stood watching the pair ahead of them. “Are we talking about the wee lad or the lady of the keep?”
Logan whistled. “She be a fine bonny lass that any man would be lucky tae call his wife!”
“Best not comment too much on the lady, my friends, or ye might feel the wrath of our new laird,” Gavin chimed in. “He has it bad for her, if his frown is any indication of his feelings for the fair Iona.”
Aiden had not realized he was frowning until Gavin mentioned it. “Enough! Keep an eye out for any mischief and above all that misbegotten cur, Broden.”
“We are well aware how tae guard yer back, Aiden. We have been doing it for years,” Finlay replied with another chuckle. “As if we could ever forget our duties…”
“Just be diligent,” Aiden ordered. “I am still angry enough as it is. First that he escaped in the first place and second that my own damn guards were so lazy they allowed him to easily walk out my gates! Were they all sleeping or drinking the night away?”
Duncan growled his own frustration. “They have been reprimanded, Aiden. ’Twill not happen again.”
“It best not or they will not see the light of day for weeks to come,” Aiden warned with a heavy sigh. “Now let us catch up before we lose the lady and her son.”
He hastened his pace until he strode up next to her as they continued their way to the village market. ’Twas a pleasant day, and when she took notice of a trinket or two, or a bunch of fabric, Aiden took out the necessary coins to pay for the items as soon as she moved on to the next stall. The blue colored fabric he sent back to the castle with Logan. ’Twould be a nice surprise when she returned to her chamber that day and the color would complement Iona’s eyes once the material was made into a gown. Other trinkets included gifts for her son.
All in all, the day progressed much as Aiden had expected. Most of the villagers may have looked down their noses at him to begin with, but the coins Aiden was willing to put out for his purchases made a small difference. Most did not grumble too loudly about the source of their new found wealth. Iona’s presence had also been most welcomed.
CHAPTER11
Iona’s breath hitched in her throat when she opened her bedchamber door. There upon the bed were items she had fancied at the market this day. She forgot about Aiden, who stood at the door whilst she went to the side of her bed to stare down at the wealth of goods before her. Blue material she had admired that could be made into a gown. A necklace and a matching ring. Even ribbons of various colors for her hair. She raised her hand to her throat in indecision. Should she be upset that he had bought all this for her or happy that he cared enough to do so and part with his well-earned coins?
She turned to stare at the man, who still stood at the entrance to her chamber. A small smile lit his face and for a moment he appeared younger than usual. She guessed his age was similar to her own. He could not possibly be over a score and ten, or so she supposed. Yet. he always seemed older, as if the weight of the world was upon his shoulders . His brief smile stripped years off his age. She glanced back at the bed. He had parted with a fair amount of money for all these gifts… as long as he did not expect her favors in return.
“Ye parted with a large sum this day, my laird,” she whispered, still trying to come to terms that this man before her was now the laird of Dunborough.
Aiden shrugged. “The cost is insignificant. Besides, the expense helped the clan and the local economy.
His words sounded cynical, but she could see he was attempting to hide his indifference to the cost he spent this day. “’Twas only to help the clan?” she probed, whilst waiting for his reply.
“Do the gifts make you happy?” he asked, stepping just inside the open portal.
“What woman would not like such gifts?” She came to stand before him.
“I care not for other women… only you. Do they make you happy, Iona?” Aiden took her hand and raised it to his lips until they touched her fingertips. His warm breath caused her to shiver in delight.
“Aye, as long as they are given freely and ye are not expecting anything from me in return,” she replied honestly, although her heart raced with his nearness. When had been the last time a handsome man had caused such flutterings in her stomach? Long before Ewan, who had been much older than she. She thought it had been her first crush on a village lad when she was but a young girl. Had it truly been that long?
Aiden pulled her closer and she momentarily forget about denying anything he might offer her. Not when those mesmerizing violet eyes held hers in a hypnotizing grip. Her body flushed at being this close to him. He had unknowingly captured her affection, but she refused to let him know. His finger ran down her cheek and she did everything in her power not to give in to the spell he was casting around them.
“Are ye?” she murmured quietly, as she attempted to keep her wits about her.
“Am I what?” he asked, cupping her cheek.
