"I ken that now." Magnus brought her hand to his lips, pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Ye've been patient with me. More patient than I deserve. And I dinnae think I've told ye how much that means."
Ada felt tears prick at her eyes. "Ye dinnae have tae thank me fer that."
"I dae. Because nae many women would put up with a husband who's so broken he cannae even say the words—" Magnus stopped himself, shook his head. "Anyway. That's why people think I killed her. Because I let them and it was easier than the truth."
They sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle burble of the spring and the distant cry of seabirds. The sun had sunk lower, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange that reflected in the pool's surface.
Finally, Ada stood. "Come on."
Magnus looked up at her, confused. "What?"
"Come on. Intae the water." Ada was already unlacing her boots, pulling them off despite the chill in the air. "Ye brought me here tae relax, and I cannae think of a better way than a swim."
"Ada, it's almost dark. And the water's freezin’."
"So?" Ada peeled off her stockings, and her dress. "Ye said this place was fer escapin' the demands of bein' laird. Fer lettin' go." She looked at him with challenge in her eyes. "Unless ye're afraid of a little cold water?"
Magnus's mouth twitched. "I'm nae afraid of anythin'."
"Then prove it." Ada lifted her shift slightly, stepped into the stream. The water was indeed freezing—so cold it stole her breath—but she refused to show it. Just waded in deeper until the water reached her knees. "See? Nae so bad."
"Ye're insane."
"Maybe. But at least I'm nae broodin'." Ada turned to face him, her skirts soaked now and clinging to her legs.
Magnus stared at her for a long moment. Then, slowly, he began pulling off his boots.
"If we catch our deaths from this, I'm blamin' ye," he said, but there was warmth in his voice now. Amusement.
"Fair enough."
He waded in, hissing slightly at the cold. "God, this is worse than I remembered."
"Ye just have tae get used tae it." Ada moved deeper, until the water reached her waist. Her shift was completely wet now, but she didn't care. The look on Magnus's face—surprise mixed with reluctant enjoyment—was worth it.
He followed her in, moving with the easy confidence of someone who'd swum in those waters countless times before. When he reached her, he was grinning despite the cold.
"Ye're completely mad," he said.
"Aye, probably." Ada splashed water at him playfully. "But at least I got ye tae smile."
"I smile."
"Nae often enough." Ada splashed him again, laughing when he retaliated by sending a wave of water her direction that soaked her completely.
What followed was a brief, chaotic water fight that left them both gasping with laughter and shivering from cold. But the tension that had been weighing on Magnus all day was finally, blessedly gone.
When they finally stopped, both breathing hard, Magnus pulled Ada close. His arms wrapped around her waist, warming her despite the frigid water.
"Thank ye," he said quietly.
"Fer what?"
"Fer this. Fer pullin' me out of me own head." Magnus's hand moved up to cup her face. "Fer remindin' me that there's more tae life than just survivin'."
Ada's breath caught at the look in his eyes. Heat, yes. Want as well. But also something deeper. Something that looked almost like?—
Magnus kissed her.
