Page 16 of It Began With A Kiss
He nodded his head before answering her. “Of course, I do. They are mine to protect, along with these lands.”
“In the name of an English king,” she replied scowling. “I am not certain this will gain ye their favor, Aiden.”
“I like the sound of my name as it passes your lips,” he said, with a grin.”
“And ye have not responded tae my most important statement.”
“And you have not answered your thoughts about being in a relationship with me,” he countered.
“I am not certain a response is needed.”
“I suppose my reply about the lands I must now look over is of more import to you,” he said, and at her nod, he continued. “I will be blunt, Iona. Although I was assigned this task, the part of me that is half Scot is warring with the other half of myself that is half English on my mother’s side. King Henry may have asked me to take over this land in his name, but he is dealing with enough problems in his own family. His sons are not of a common accord. King Henry demanded his sons Richard and Geoffrey give homage for their lands to his heir, Henry the Younger, but Young Henry refused to accept.”
“That could not have gone over well with yer king,” she replied, taking another bite of the food set before her.
“Nay, it has not, at least according to what I have been privy to. I understand that war has broken out with King Henry and his son Richard. The King is about to embark to Aquitaine in a joint campaign. I was only too happy to not be asked to join them. I have no desire to be sent to France to take part in a war to satisfy others.”
“And yet here ye are… conquering land belonging to another,” she replied quietly.
“With as little bloodshed as humanly possible. I had no desire to take the lives of those who would eventually serve me. I suppose this is the way of life, but at least ’twas not a full siege that could have left those who reside within these walls and those in the village starving for months on end.”
“Hopefully the clan will see yer logic, even though they failed tae defend the very walls that keep them safe."
“’Tis my greatest desire that we can all live in peace together, whether I serve an English king or a Scottish one,” he said, also lifting his chalice to his lips.
“Ye think ye may come tae favor King William?” she asked, startled that he would even consider serving the Scottish king.
He gave a short laugh. “Miracles do happen, Iona,” he said, setting his chalice down. “Hence my comment about both halves of me warring with each other. I am a Scotsman at heart, despite what you may think of me.”
“Ye hardly sound like one.”
“My accent does tend to come out when I am angry or upset, which hopefully you will not hear too often. But come… you have not answered me about a possible relationship between us. Do you think you might come to favor me in time?”
She considered his comment and could hardly deny the feelings between them. “’Tis a possibility, my laird,” she replied honestly.
“Then all I ask is that you give us a chance,” he said, taking her hand again and raising her fingertips to his lips.
Tingling sensations ran up her arm and she hated when he let go of her hand and returned to his meal. Her fingers shook when she picked up her fork to do the same. Aye… she may have said ’twas a possibility they could have a relationship between them but Iona already knew she was lost. Lost in a pair of violet eyes that would certainly be her undoing. She was in big trouble where the new laird of Dunborough was concerned.
CHAPTER12
As they whirled around the floor, Aiden lifted Iona high then set her back down, following the patterns of the dance. Her laughter was infectious, and he was pleased he was the cause. Her blue eyes sparkled from the reflection of the torches hanging from the scones on the walls. Her loose red hair fell in soft waves down to her waist. As lady of the hall, she was gloriously in her element. She would keep that station in life if Aiden had anything to say about it.
The minstrels finished their song and Aiden was reluctant to let the lady go. Finlay came to bow before them. “May I have the next dance, my lady? That is, with Laird Aiden’s permission,” he asked politely.
“’Tis the lady’s choice,” Aiden replied with a bow.
“I would be delighted, Sir Finlay.” Iona took his hand but peered over her shoulder to Aiden. She gave him a look that silently told him she, too, was sorry to leave his side.
He nodded again and reluctantly took his leave of the dance floor. The minstrels took up their lutes and pipes and began to play again. Aiden returned to his place on the dais, holding out his cup to be refilled with wine. The same serving maid came up to him, but he barely paid her any attention whilst she filled his cup to the brim. Her hand made its way to caress his back. He raised one brow whilst peering over his shoulder.
“My name is Thora. Be there anything else, my laird, that I can get fer ye?” the girl asked all but spilling out of her tunic.
“Nay. I require nothing from you,” he said sharply, hoping this would put an end to whatever she had in mind.
“Are ye sure? I am most willing tae see tae yer needs.” She lingered close enough to him that Aiden became annoyed.
“As I said, I need nothing from you other than the wine.”
