“Ye’re nae honorin’ yer part of the deal, lass,” he replied stiffly. “Come back to the feast. Yer disappearance has already been noticed.”
“And what is it they are talking about?” she asked, exhausted and irritated.
He studied her for a moment, seeming to measure his words before he spoke again. “They are callin’ ye cold, a far cry from a blushin’ bride.”
“I’m cold?” she scoffed, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest. “Me? That’s laughable.”
“Come back downstairs, now.”
“No.”
“Ye’re meant to play the adorin’ and excited fiancée, nae the miserable captive in her chambers,” he hissed as his temper flared.
“I’m exhausted by your coldness and the unfair expectations you seem to just make up as you go,” she spat back. “I will play the part, endure your hatred, and when we part ways, you’ll never be bothered by my presence again!”
She stood now, her shoulders squared in indignation. Aiden was dumbfounded by her outburst, and his anger dissolved as she stood before him. The silence was deafening, but Katie didn’t care. She turned away from him to undress.
“Please leave me be,My Laird.”
She didn’t see him leave, but she heard the door slam shut behind him and sighed in relief. She hastily shed her outer dress and climbed into bed to escape the iciness of his receding presence and drifted off to a restless sleep, hoping for clarity and peace in the days to come.
CHAPTER 6
The next morning,Aiden walked through the stone corridors of his family’s castle, his boots clicking against the cold, hard floor. He had been searching for Katie for a while, and his frustration was growing.
When he finally reached their quarters, he found her sitting by the window, wrapped in a blanket and staring out at the rolling hills. The soft afternoon light illuminated her features, casting a gentle glow on her raven hair and making her look more serene and beautiful than he’d ever noticed before.
He entered the room abruptly, catching her off guard. “Katie,” he said, trying to keep his voice steady. “We need to talk. Ye’ve been hidin’ away in here for too long.”
Katie turned to face him, her expression a mix of weariness and defiance. “I’m tired, Aiden. I came here to protect my reputation, but I will not be a trophy for you to parade around whenever you decide to pretend to be kind to me. I refuse to be made a fool of.”
He could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but also a steely determination that intrigued and frustrated him. He walked over to her and, without giving her a chance to respond, grabbed her hand and pulled her from the chair.
“Ye need to come with me,” he said, guiding her roughly toward the study.
Katie resisted, but he was insistent. He led her down the hall, his grip firm but gentle. When they reached the study, he opened the door and ushered her inside.
The room was richly decorated, with dark wood paneling, heavy drapes, and an imposing fireplace. A large tapestry hung on one wall, depicting the intricate family tree of Clan MacNiall, woven with vibrant threads that traced their lineage through the centuries.
“This is what matters,” Aiden said, gesturing toward the tapestry. “This is the legacy I need to uphold. It might seem like a charade to ye, but it must appear real. I cannae afford any mistakes.”
Katie’s gaze shifted from the tapestry to him, her face reflecting a mix of hurt and anger. “So, you want me to keep up this charade while you’re indifferent to everything? Oblivious to the adoring eyes of Lady Mary or your maids? Do you think I’m stupid?”
“What are ye talkin’ about?” he asked, exasperated. “I dinnae understand. What do me maids or Lady Mary have to do with anythin’?”
“It’s clear that you’ve been careless with your affections,” Katie accused, tired of always backing down. “You’ll show your favor to anyone but the woman to whom you’re pretending to be betrothed! I didn’t come here to ruin anyone’s life. I was only trying to protect my reputation, but now I can see it wasn’t worth it.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened. “Ye’re nae ruinin’ anyone’s life. I dinnae want Lady Mary or me servants.”
“Then what do you want?” Katie’s voice trembled. Her words hung heavy in the air as Aiden struggled with his own emotions.
“Dinnae ask me that,” he responded, all his muscles tightening instinctively. He took a step toward her, and her eyes widened.
“Why not? Do you even know what you want?”
“I do, but if I do what I want, yer precious reputation will be in tatters.”
“What does that even mean?” she sighed, the hurt in her expression making his heart stutter.
