9
An icy breeze flowed through the valley, but as hard as it blew, Izzy couldn't feel it. Aaron's stature made certain of that. With his strong arms curled around her and his tartan thrown over them, she was as snug and secure as she'd ever been. Even with her thoughts shifting back to the horrors of the ally, she knew she was safe now with Aaron.
"Those men in the village— why haven't you done anything to stop them from going after others?"
Aaron's body quivered,whether from her question or the cold, she wasn't sure. But it seemed he didn't like her poking around in his affairs. After all, this sort of thing would fall on the Laird's shoulders, would it not?
Izzy's thoughts bothered her,but Aaron shifting his weight a bit bothered her even more and gave her the impression she was about to fall.
"Ye sound like the council,"Aaron said, his voice indifferent. Izzy wished she could see his face because at least then she might be able to gauge what he was thinking. "But as ye saw, they're cunnin'. I wasnae expectin' them to have so many workin' in the con. I guess ye dinnae notice the two other men collectin' the brute that took ye. There was nothin' I could do about it, but I doubt they'll come around the village again for a spell."
"And that's acceptable for you?"
"What wouldye have me do? Charge after them through the village? Ye do realize that some of the lads live there and have the loyalty of the village. Nay one is goin' to rat them lads out."
"Have you never gone fishing before?"Izzy asked, the frustration in her tone evident. She couldn't understand why this had to be so complicated. The fire for justice burned within her, rising to a wild inferno she didn't want to tame. "You use a net."
The silencebetween them rattled Izzy. Talking to Aaron reminded her of talking with her father. He too would often pause, as if contemplating what she had been saying, and wait until she continued.
"Nae all fishget caught in a net. And then there's the times ye use one and get the wrong kind."
"Even if yourake the bottom of the pond, you'll still get something. Maybe that's all you really need — a way into the organization."
"How do ye ken such things?"Aaron asked. "Ye speak logically with knowledge beyond yer years. I daenae think I've ever met a lass as witty as ye."
"I don't knowif that's a good thing or a bad one. By all accounts, you've just admitted that you don't leave Scotland or even your lands very often. So, you have no one to compare me with," Izzy continued only to stop as Aaron's body rocked her as his laughter caused the birds to take to the sky.
"How do ye do it?"Aaron asked through his laughter. "It must be tirin' bein' ye. Do ye worry about everythin' like this? Ye'll end up puttin' yerself in an early grave."
"I would hope not,"Izzy said as she found herself admiring the different tones of playfulness in Aaron's voice. "But then again, I suppose that is what every man hopes for."
"What a horrid thing tosay about someone ye're supposed to love," Aaron interjected. The lightheartedness in his tone had vanished.
"Don't mistake me,I'm not at all saying that a husband would want to see their spouse dead. But tell me, who would navigate the world better alone? You? Or your spouse? That's all I'm saying."
"And here I was wonderin'how someone could be so cold. But I understand. Suppose it's the same callin' we have to defend what's ours," he explained as Izzy noticed the castle coming up over the hill. It was a sight for her weary eyes and filled her witha pinch of hope. At least behind the stone walls, she'd be safe from the bandits and Scottish brutes.
"We aren't married,"Izzy whispered. "You don't have to defend me."
"What sortof man do ye take me for? Ye take me for a monster?"
"No,"Izzy answered without hesitation. "Not even in the smallest measurement I could think of. You're not the monster."
"But the others are?"he asked as they rode up to the steps of the castle. Aaron pulled the reins, stopping the horse. And before she could protest, he'd slipped from the saddle.
The icy airhe'd been protecting her from crashed against her skin. Bumps scattered over her skin as she flung her arms around her shoulders trying to retain some of the heat. With her teeth rattling, she turned and threw her leg over the horse. She crashed into Aaron as she landed, but she was like a leaf tumbling around a mountain. Aaron merely held her in place, keeping her steady as he always seemed to do.
"Well,I think we've had quite the day," Izzy said, stepping back from his only to bump into the horse.
"Aye,we have. Come on then, let's get ye rested."
"You don't need to…"Izzy objected, pressing her hand to his chest.
"Aye, I do,"he answered, and as if he could read her mind, Izzy found herself hoisted into his arms. The heat of his body was like touching the sun. She leaned her cheek to his shoulder as he carried her up the steps. Aaron's footsteps echoed through the foyer as the servants rushed to greet them.
"Me laird,"a servant said, giving a quick bow the second they approached Aaron. Izzy listened to his husky voice rumble in his chest as he ordered a tray of food to be brought to her room. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she tried not to enjoy the way Aaron felt against her. But her body quivered as the cold ripped through her like a gale force determined to blow her over.
"Good gracious,had I ken ye'd be so adverse to the cold, I would have had ye dress better. I'll have the tailor stop by in a few days to get ye fitted for the proper clothin'. Ye'll find the weather to be a bit more temperamental than England. But I'm sure ye'll get used to it in nay time."
