“Aye.” Alyson rose, wiping her hands. “They’ve enough space fer three of us, and half the soldiers that are stayin’ behind tae guard the stores. We’ll be safe.”
Aidan’s disbelief hardened into irritation. “Ye’ll dae nay such thing.”
“Why nae?” Sofia asked, wide-eyed. “It’s warmer here than in the wagons, and we can start early.”
“It’s improper,” Aidan said flatly. “Yer braither would have me head if he heard I left ye unchaperoned in some roadside tavern.”
Catherine lifted her chin. “Ye’re nae leavin’ us unchaperoned. We’ll be surrounded by guards. Yer men.”
“That’s nae the point.”
“Then what is the point, me laird?” she asked, her voice cooling. “That ye like givin’ orders fer the sake o’ hearin’ them obeyed?”
He took a step closer, his temper rising despite his best effort to rein it in. “The point,” he said, low and sharp, “is that it’s me responsibility tae keep ye safe. And I cannae dae that if ye refuse tae listen.”
Catherine didn’t back away. If anything, her defiance sharpened. “Safe?” she repeated, her voice quiet but cutting. “We’re in a village full o’ yer soldiers, surrounded by families who’ve lost everythin’. Tell me, what danger dae ye think lurks here that warrants such protection?”
Aidan’s jaw worked. “Ye’ve nay idea what danger looks like.”
“Then perhaps ye should show me,” she said, her chin lifting higher.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved. The tension between them was so taut it felt like the air might snap.
It was Alyson who broke it, stepping forward with a placating tone. “Catherine, please. The laird’s only concerned.”
Catherine shot her sister a look. “I ken fine what he’s concerned about.”
“Aye,” Aidan said tightly, “and ye’re determined tae ignore it.”
“Because it’s unreasonable,” she said. “We’re nae children tae be packed away every time ye find the world too untidy fer our presence. We can help. Wehavehelped.”
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. The worst part was that she was right. Theyhadhelped. Her presence had kept the villagers from despair, her calm from chaos. The men respected her already, he’d heard them say as much. But still, the thought of leaving her there without him, made something restless twist in his chest.
He turned his gaze on her, steady, unflinching. “And if I forbid it?”
She met his look head-on. “Then ye’ll have tae drag me back tae the castle yerself.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. She meant it. Saints, the woman was impossible.
He was aware of Alyson and Sofia watching, trying to stifle their amusement. Catherine stood before him, proud and immovable, her eyes gleaming in the lamplight.
Finally, Aidan exhaled through his nose, slow and resigned. “If ye’re stayin’, then I’ll stay as well.”
That wiped the smile from Sofia’s face. “Ye’ll stay?”
“Aye,” Aidan said. “If ye’re tae remain in this village, ye’ll nae be daein’ it without oversight.”
Catherine’s brows rose, her mouth parting slightly in disbelief. “Ye’re sayin’ ye’ll sleep in the tavern?”
He crossed his arms. “Aye. I’ve slept in worse.”
Her lips curved into something dangerously close to a smirk. “I dinnae doubt that.”
The comment earned a muffled laugh from Sofia, quickly hushed by Alyson’s elbow. Aidan ignored them, his focus still locked on Catherine.
“I’ll have a word wi’ the tavern keeper,” he said, his tone brooking no argument. “Ye’ll take the upper rooms, nearest the stairs. Me men’ll keep watch through the night.”
Catherine regarded him as though weighing whether to press further, then finally sighed. “If that’s what it takes tae keep ye from hoverin’, then aye. Fine.”
