As they twirled and stepped in sync with the lively music, Katie glanced at her partner and asked, “What’s your name?”
“Flynn,” he replied, his smile widening. “And ye’re Katie, are ye nae?”
“That’s right,” she said with a nod. “Flynn is a unique name. I don’t think I’ve heard it before.”
Flynn chuckled. “’Tis a bit uncommon, I suppose, but I’ve always liked it. And I must say, ye dance beautifully. Yer dress is stunnin’ as well. Laird MacNiall is a lucky man.”
Katie felt a blush rise to her cheeks at his compliment. “Thank you, Flynn. That’s kind of you to say.”
“So, how do you know Aiden and his family?” she asked, curious.
Flynn’s eyes lit up with a hint of nostalgia. “I’m an old partner of Aiden’s. We worked together in the past. I’ve come from far away to attend this feast. ‘Tis been a while since I’ve seen him.”
Katie’s interest was piqued. “Really? That’s fascinating. What kind of work did you do together?”
Flynn hesitated for a moment, then said, “Various things. Business, a bit of adventure. Let’s just say Aiden and I have had our fair share of experiences.”
CHAPTER 14
Katie foundFlynn’s personality interesting and unusual in a way, but a lot like Aiden’s in some cases. There was something inside him that Katie intuitively didn’t want to see. There was something unnerving lurking behind his kind, dark gaze.
She noted that as they spoke, Aiden’s gaze flicked toward them, his expression unreadable but his attention clearly focused. Katie’s heart pounded as she continued to engage Flynn in conversation, trying to ignore the sensation of being watched.
The music began to slow, signaling the end of the dance. Flynn twirled her one last time before bringing her back to the starting position. With a polite bow, he said, “It was a pleasure dancin’ with ye, Katie. I should be gettin’ on me way now. Enjoy the rest of yer evenin’.”
Katie nodded, feeling a mix of relief and disappointment as Flynn slipped away into the crowd. She quickly moved to a nearby table, retrieving her shawl and a drink, and tried to calmher nerves. The moment she had been mentally preparing for all evening was finally at hand.
As she approached the high table where Aiden was seated, he looked up from his conversation with Oliver and Malcolm. His expression remained stoic, but his eyes softened slightly as they locked onto hers.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” Katie asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
Aiden rose from his seat, his posture rigid. “Of course.”
He extended his arm, offering to escort her away from the noise and commotion. Katie took his arm and could feel the tension in his muscles. As they walked, Aiden’s eyes scanned the dance floor, his gaze occasionally returning to her.
Katie’s mind went over what she wanted to say to Aiden. She knew this was her chance to address their undeclared feelings and disagreements. The night had been full of revelations, and she hoped their conversation would be a stepping stone toward clarity and connection.
As they reached a quieter part of the hall, away from the revelers, Katie took a deep breath, ready to discuss the issues that had been hanging between them. She glanced up at Aiden and prepared to speak as her heart beat rapidly with anticipation and uncertainty.
Aiden stood in the dimly lit hallway, the noise of the feast fading as he faced Katie. The torches affixed along the stone walls cast a warm glow on her, illuminating the soft lines of her face and the hesitation in her eyes. His heart ached with a mix of emotions he couldn’t fully understand, let alone control. Desire, frustration, guilt—they all warred within him and left him feeling on edge.
Katie had asked him to talk, and now that they were finally alone, Aiden found himself struggling to form the right words. His mind was a mess, torn between wanting to be gentle with her and protect her, and wanting to set free the darker, selfish desires that had plagued him since the moment they met.
She looked at him expectantly, her hands clasped together, her voice trembling slightly. “Aiden… will you accept my apology?”
Aiden frowned, his confusion evident as he asked, “What do ye have to apologize for?”
Katie bit her lip and lowered her gaze to the floor for a moment before she looked back up at him. “You’ve been ignoring me, you’ve been unhappy with me… and angry since we were told we had to marry. I’ve seen it in your eyes and in how you’ve avoided me. I… I just want to make things right between us.”
His silence hung heavy in the air. Aiden wasn’t sure how to respond. The truth was that hehadbeen avoiding her, but notfor the reasons she may have thought. Yes, he had been angry, but it wasn’t directed at her—it was at the situation he’d found himself in. He was upset at himself for wanting her so fiercely despite knowing that he shouldn’t, that he just wasn’t good enough for her.
Katie took a small step closer, her voice soft but earnest. “Please, Aiden. I want us to start our marriage from a place of love and understanding. I don’t want to be at odds with you.”
Aiden’s heart clenched at her words. She was offering him a real chance, a way to make things easier for both of them, to build something real between them, but he couldn’t bring himself to accept what she was offering.
How can I accept? How can I allow her into me heart when I ken I will only taint her with the stench of me sins and drown her in me darkness?
He wanted to pull her close and tell her that he would keep her safe forever, that he would cherish her as she deserved. But the fear of what he might do to her, of how he might ruin her, held him back.
