"I never thoughtI'd be bound to an English harpy."
"English harpy?"Izzy repeated with indignation. Her hands balled into fists as she pulled in long deep breath. Her cheeks flushed rouge with anger, and just as she opened her mouth, Aaron placed his hands on her shoulders as if to ground her to the spot.
"I tease,"Aaron said, letting his voice bend with compassion as he flashed a sheepish grin. "But come now. Ye cannae tell me this is what ye wanted when we both ken, it wasnae."
"I understand,but it still doesn't hurt any less knowing I wasn't a first choice. It would have been nice to be married to someone who wanted to be married to me."
"If it makesye feel any better, I do believe ye have spared me a miserable life with that one."
"And why is that?Melina seemed to be nice. She wanted to continue our correspondence through mail. She thought I could use a friend in the realm."
"Did she now?"Aaron folded his arms over his chest trying to curb the ire in his tone. "Izzy, please listen when I tell ye to be careful about what ye write to her."
"Is she an enemy?"Izzy asked, unable to hide the shock in her voice. Aaron shook his head hoping to dispel any suspicion rising in Izzy.
"Nay,nae at all. But she's nae exactly an ally," Aaron explained as he led Izzy to the terrace and away from itching ears.
"Well,that should change. If they have grains or any goods to trade, we should look at them as business partners."
"Caiden isnae a man ye want to go into business with," Aaron said as he swiped one of the glasses off the servant's tray as they passed. Taking the contents in one gulp, Aaron enjoyed the burn of the whiskey as it went down. "He's ken for causin' issues with cargo to swindle more money from the ports or clients. The man doesnae care how he makes money, just that he does."
"Surely she's not the same,"Izzy said. "I think the apple fell far from that tree. I think I'd like to get to know her a bit better.And you never know, maybe what you've heard about Caiden is wrong."
"Doubt it,"Aaron replied as he tried not to roll his eyes. "But I'm nae the one tryin' to make nice. Ye go on ahead. If ye think she's worth yer time, then write the lass. But I'm goin' to ask ye, as yer husband, to just be careful what ye share with her. Can I trust ye on this matter?" Aaron studied Izzy. There was no hesitation on her part. Despite the fact they had been forced together, she was already living up to the title of Lady McNeil.
"I think Melina seems agreeable.But I promise, I won't put in anything that would cause you shame or disgrace."
"Just daenae be surprisedif she ends up bein' a false friend."
"Hasanyone told you that you are a very pessimistic person? How do you live life seeing things so negatively all the time? It has to be tiresome. You do realize that not everyone is out to get you?"
"Aye,"Aaron said as his smirk stretch. "I ken exactly the sort of man I am. The question is though, can ye say the same about Melina? Just use discernment when it comes to that family. I'm all for makin' new business arrangements and such, but sometimes, ye got to ken when to walk away."
