6
"Should I even ask?"
Aaron feltRyan's gaze on him the moment he entered the study. There was a part of Aaron that wished he wasn't there, but he found some comfort in his presence. How could Izzy be so hard-hearted against him? What had he done to garner her ire? It was a question that haunted him as he moved like a phantom to his desk, letting the warmth of the fire kiss his face.
His thoughts turned and twisted,trying to sort through what could make her so disgusted by him. Surely it wasn't his scars; that was clear by the spark in her eye he was certain he had seen just hours ago. The woman infuriated him though.
What couldhe ever do to impress an Englishwoman? It was like trying to sort through an enigma while navigating through a mist filled labyrinth.
"What are ye goin'on about?" Aaron huffed as he made a beeline for his desk. The leather seat moaned under his weight as he eased into the cushion. Ryan shook his head and dropped the ledger in front of Aaron.
"It doesnae matter;ye've more important things to worry about," Ryan said. "The council has got word about yer decree. Some have a thing or two to say about that."
"Well,I daenae think I really care about what they think at the moment," Aaron snapped. "And when daenae they have somethin' to say. Let them wag their lyin' tongues. Sooner or later, they'll talk it right off."
"Arenae ye a ball of grace tonight,"Ryan said, folding his arms over his chest, defiance tainting each word. Aaron arched his eyebrow and glared with the same ferocity. "I'd ask what's got yer hair all tangled, but I'm certain it has somethin' to do with that lass upstairs."
"The sassenach is upstairs,aye. What she is up to, I daenae ken, nor do I care."
"And that is allI need to ken," Ryan said as he glanced at the ledger. Aaron grabbed the book and slid it to himself. Begrudgingly, he threw open the binding as he glared at Ryan.
"What am I lookin'at?" Aaron asked, trying his hardest to quell that ire that burned hotter than coals. As much as he knew he should listen to Ryan, his mind shifted to Izzy. How could a woman look like an angel but have a tongue of a devil? Herwords felt like he'd be whipped with cat tails in the middle of February.
"Ye'd rape me for an heir?"Her accusation raked across his mind and grated his soul. He let out a silent agonizing sigh as he tried to focus on Ryan and the financial report. After all, weddings cost money.
"I daenae suspect the weddin'will be grand with ye marryin' the Englishwoman."
"Aye,"Aaron said as his thoughts trailed off to follow Izzy. It wasn't lost on him the irony of trying to convince his wife he wasn't a monster when the clan had been labeling him as such since his parents died.
His mind turnedand shifted as he plotted on how to turn the situation to his favor. If there was one thing he understood about women, it was how to woo them. But on such a short time frame, his choices were limited.
Then it hit him."But perhaps we should. After all, we're only to marry once in life. So why nae go all out for the event? Invite the clan. Ye ken, invite the village and all of Scotland; I dinnae care. The more the merrier."
"And what ifnone of them show?" Ryan asked.
"Then so be it.But let this marriage mark a new season, a change in the tide. Who kens, perhaps we could even turn thecouncil in me favor. If I can change me English wife's mind, then surely I can change theirs."
"That's rather bold.And if ye cannae get her on yer side?"
"There's nay plan b.I must get me wife to love me, to bed me, and to give me an heir for the clan. Then, maybe she'll show me kindness and throw herself at the council's feet to save me."
"Well, while ye're tryin'to be a martyr, I think I'll be tryin' to sort out a different plan that doesnae include ye bettin' on yer wife's love and admiration."
"Ye daenae thinkI can woo my wife?" Aaron asked, folding his arms over his chest. He tilted his head, daring Ryan to answer as a sharp knock rattled the door. Aaron couldn't hide the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he glanced at the door.
"It couldnae be,"Ryan huffed as he moved for the door.
"Speak of the devil,"Ryan whispered as he peaked through the secret portrait next to the door. "Do ye want me to send her away?"
Aaron flexedhis jaw as he stared at Izzy stepping over the threshold. Her tiny frame barely filled the crack in the door. The way her shoulders were slumped and curled in made Aaron want to rush to her side to comfort her.
Shaking his head,Aaron rose from his seat. "Aye?"
Izzy's gaze met his.The regret and guilt flickering through her eyes broke his resolve. She took a timid step into the study, and her eyes shifted to Ryan before falling back to him.
"The hour is late,"Aaron observed as he watched Ryan slowly step away.
"I'm aware, but…"Izzy said as she glanced to Ryan, who was swiftly making a beeline for the door. "Well, I just…"
