"That seemed to have gone well,"Ryan observed as he marched down the steps and took the reins from Aaron. Aaron bobbed his head and followed Ryan to the stables.
"Indeed, it did,"Aaron said with a smirk. "Better than I could have planned."
"Are ye sayin'we might be lookin' for an heir?" Ryan asked.
"Nae yet,"Aaron replied as he opened the stable doors for Ryan to guide the horse in. "But that's beside the point. Tell me ye have news for me."
Ryan droppedhis shoulders as he tied the horse up. Aaron moved swiftly to the horse and unfastened the girth securing the saddle in place. As they stripped the horse of its gear, Ryan's silence unnerved him.
"Speak,"Aaron grumbled.
"There's nothin'for me to report; that is what's so scary," Ryan huffed. "I thought we had a trail when I spoke with the servants, but it was a wild goose chase. It could have been anyone lacin' the whiskey."
"That's certainly naethe news I was hopin' to hear," Aaron said as he dragged the brush along the horse's body. His heart felt heavy. If only the King wouldn't have forced the union, then Aaron wouldn't be responsible for an innocent. Not that Izzy wasn't the most exquisite creature he had ever seen — she was. She just shouldn't have been involved in the first place.
"What would ye have me do?"Ryan asked with determination. Aaron's lips tightened into a straight line as he mulled over his options.
"Place more menin the castle. I want Izzy protected, but I daenae want it to look like she's bein' followed or watched," Aaron decided.
"I'll doublethe men posted in the castle," Ryan replied. "And I'll see about puttin' a few extra eyes and blades on the wall."
"Nay,"Aaron said, shaking his head. "Nae the wall. I get the impression me enemy isnae on the outside but in. And I want him smoked out like the rat he is. Keep the men on alert. Ensure they understand, they're to be like ghosts."
Ryan noddedand took off with his orders. Aaron finished tending to his horse, and only when he had it groomed and putback did he make his way to the castle. A heaviness settled on his chest as he looked to the dark, empty windows.
Where are ye?I ken yer in there somewhere. Ye may think ye can hide from me forever, but ye cannae. One of these days, I'll find ye and when I do, I'll see ye hanged till dead.
"Willye watch where ye're walkin'," a husky voice grumbled as Aaron tripped over something.
"What in the…"Aaron gasped as he caught his balance. "Dougall? And what on earth brings ye out at this hour? Ye havenae been stealin' sips off the whiskey barrel again, have ye?"
"And what if I have?Sometimes a man needs a good, strong drink."
"Come on,"Aaron said, half amused by the healer's drunkenness. The last time Aaron had caught the man intoxicated was the night his parents perished. The pang of doubt and uncertainty pricked at him as he helped the elder man back to the castle. "I think ye need to rest. Maybe sleep off whatever ails ye."
"The world ails me,"Dougall bemoaned and threw his head back dramatically. "I cannae tell ye how shocked I am every mornin' when I wake to find the good Lord has nae yet taken me."
"He'll takeye when he is good and ready," Aaron said as he carried the healer to his chambers and helped him into bed. Looking over the man, Aaron made sure he was situation before leaving the man to grumble to the empty room.
"What was that all about?"Izzy asked. Aaron nearly jumped at the sound of her voice behind him.
"And just wheredid ye come from?" he asked.
"I'm looking for Chloe. I thought she would be in the library, but she's not there. Do you know where she might be?" Izzy asked as she batted her long lashes. Aaron gave a shrug as he scanned the hallway behind Izzy.
"Ye might haveluck in the chicken coop. She often likes to go there to hide."
"Thank you,"Izzy said and skipped along down the hall. Aaron's eyes stalked her as far as he could before she disappeared around the corner.
"One of these days,I will have me way with ye," Aaron mumbled under his breath as thoughts of her basking in the sunlight on the banks of the loch filled his thoughts. His body trembled with longing. From the center of his being, Aaron felt a tug. It was as if a cord bound his being to Izzy, and he wanted to follow wherever she may go.
"Laird McNeil,"a servant called, snapping Aaron out of the illusion he had fallen into.
"What?"he grumbled, unable to keep the frustration out of his tone.
"Ye're wantedin the great hall. It seems the farmers have come for council," the servant explained. Aaron's shoulders dropped. How could he have forgotten he was to oversee the rulings today? The council had it marked for over a month. And as much as Aaron wanted to blame Izzy for his absentmindedness, he couldn't. If anyone was to blame, it was him. He had let her enchant him and ensnare his senses.
"Aye,"Aaron said as he shifted from a longing man to the Laird. "Tell the council and farmers I'll be there momentarily."
The servant dartedoff for the great hall. Aaron stole one last glimpse down the hallway where Izzy had disappeared. He wished for just one more glimpse of her bright smile, and he could die a happy man, but he knew he couldn't wait there forever for her.
"By me sword,"Aaron whispered to the empty hallway, "or me life, I will see that ye are safe, Isabella. I swear it."
