10
Aaron's chest tightened as her touch resonated throughout his being. It was as if she had touched every inch of his body all at once. He tried to keep his breath steady. If he was going to prove to her that she could trust him, he was going to have to ignore the yearn and lust festering within him.
"I daenae thinkthat's such a good idea," he answered hoping his voice didn't break with frustration. How he wanted to go against his better judgment and stay. She was far too intoxicating to just walk away from, and now that he was in her chambers, seeing her so vulnerable, it would take God's hand to pull him away. Yet, he had to if he was going to keep her innocence intact. He would have to pry her hot little fingers from his wrist and step back.
"Please,"she pleaded. Her voice bent, causing Aaron's heart to bend with pity. She batted her long eyelashes as the corners of her lips curled down. "I'm far too rattled to be alone right now."
"Then I'll fetchye a servant to come and sit with ye," he suggested.
"And why won'tyou stay with me? Are you not to be my husband? Is it not your duty to comfort me in my time of need?"
"Aye,I'm to be yer husband, but need I remind ye, we're nae wed yet," he answered as her grip loosened. Her pout was tragic to witness as tears pooled in her eyes. Seeing her so distraught and on the verge of tears shattered his desires and wants. "And what of yer convictions, Me Lady?"
She looked up.Confusion flickered through her gaze as she tilted her head. "And what do you know about my convictions?"
"Didye nae tell me that only a priest, a doctor, or yer husband could stay in yer chambers?" he arched his eyebrow, challenging her.
She shiftedas her gaze steeled. "And here I thought you were to be my husband. Is that not why you've brought me here to Scotland?"
"Aye,but we've nae stood before God and country declarin' ourselves," he teased as the tension in his shoulders eased. He only now realized just how tense his body was since saving her from the bandits. It felt as if a great weight had dropped off him the moment he sat with her on the edge of the bed. Izzy's eyes widened as she stared at him with the most befuddled expression on her face. It was a mix of confusion and wonder sprinkled with a bit of realization and awe.
"Well,as your future bride, I'm asking you to grant me this concession."
"Ye ken ye're givin'the staff fodder for gossip."
"And here Ithought you didn't care what people said about you. Are you not the same man that stormed into the Baron's birthday party claiming me as your bride? So, why should you care what your staff say?"
Aaron's eyesnarrowed as he pursed his lips into a tight line. "There's a difference between carin' what the English think and what me own clan thinks. But nay matter which way ye look at it, the only person I care what they think of me is ye."
Izzy's eyeswidened to the size of saucers. "Why would you put so much stock in what I think about you?"
"Ye're to be me wife,"Aaron answered. "I'd rather prefer ye to at least tolerate me. Of course, likin' is far better. But daenae think for a second I expect ye to fall in love with me. It took me parents a lifetime for such a notion. And even now, I wonder if they really truly did."
"That's so sad."
"Is it?And why is that? Are ye certain yer parents werenae thrown together in the same manner we have been?"
"For starters,"Izzy said as she scooted to the edge of the bed. "My parents never received a decree to be forced to marry. They fell in love at first sight."
"Ye never tookme for someone so naive. I thought ye'd have a better head on yer shoulders than to believe in such things."
Izzy droppedher hand and recoiled from Aaron. He noticed the ice in her glare. She turned her head to hide her lips quivering and the tears streaking down her cheeks. Aaron dropped his shoulders. Guilt raked against his back like a whip of cat tails.
"Izzy,I'm sorry, truly; I shouldnae have said ye were naive."
"Just go.It's what you wanted to do anyway." She pulled away from him, keeping her head turned from him. Frustration ran deep. Aaron flexed his jaw as he observed his no win situation. He knew leaving would only infuriate her further, but if he stayed, he'd face her ire.
Letting out a heavy sigh,Aaron shook his head. "I'll nae be manipulated. And I'm nae goin' to leave ye in the state ye're in."
"You don't carehow I feel," she mumbled and raked the back of her hand across her nose. "So let's do ourselves both a favor here and stop pretending that you do."
"Pretend?Is that what ye really think I'm doin'? Listen here," Aaron said, his anger brewing within him. He'd gone through hell for her, and now, she was saying he didn't care? "Iunderstand ye think that I'm some monster. Ye're nae the first, and ye willnae be the last. But all I've ever done since ye came here is keep ye safe. So, when ye tell me that I daenae care about ye, ye, Me Lady, are sorely mistaken."
Aaron didn't wantto stay and argue. He'd heard enough. With a shake of his head, he turned for the door.
"Wait,"Izzy said, her voice bending with guilt. "I'm sorry. I don't think you're a monster. If anyone has shown themselves to be one, it would be me. I've been nothing but rude, and… you're right. All you've ever shown me is kindness. It was wrong of me to say such a thing."
Pausing at the door,Aaron glanced over his shoulder. Izzy sprang to her feet and rushed to him. She stepped in front of the door with her head down and eyes on the floor.
