"Areye sure that's such a good idea?" Chloe asked as she tucked her loose hair behind her ear.
"When else areyou going to get an opportunity like this? Invite him, and just spend some time with the boy. You might find that under a different setting, he might not be as attractive," Izzy suggested as her thoughts skipped to Aaron. "Then again, you might find he's exactly the sort of man you want."
"Are ye talkin'about me Thomas? Or Aaron?"
"I suppose both,"Izzy said as she clapped her hands and sat straighter. "But we have work to do if we want to pull this off without a hitch. And pray the rain will pass. I would really hate to go through all this trouble only to have it pouring down on us."
"Wouldnae bea Scottish party if it dinnae," Chloe observed as she nudged her elbow into Izzy's side. "But are ye sure me brother said he doesnae mind this? I would really hate to go through the process only to have him ruin it."
"That's not going to happen,"Izzy announced in a sure tone. "We won't let that happen. What we need to do is make sure that the children understand that Aaron isn't a bad guy. We'll have him come around and give out pies or maybe trinkets of some sort. What do you think?"
Chloe 's smile stretched."I think it's perfect. The clan will love it, and I think seein' ye by his side will really soften a lot of people's hearts."
Izzy worked closelywith Chloe making sure that everything was ready by the end of the week. She exhaled sharply as she strolled through the garden area one last time ensuring everything was in place for the children.
"I cannae believeye got all this done in such a short time," Aaron said as he glanced at the pen set up with goats and sheep as well as a miniature cow and a few rabbits.
"Your sister was so helpful;she spread the word about the event. And truth be told, I think the only reason a lot of the people came was to see for themselves what this was all about."
"Well,"Aaron said as he rubbed the back of his neck, "ye both did an amazin' job. What do ye say we open the gates and let the people in?"
Izzy's excitementfestered and brewed until she couldn't contain it any further. She stood at the opening to the maze and waited for the children to come rushing through. The moment Chloe pulled back the curtain revealing the play area, children poured into the area. Izzy's eyes lit up as she watched how they moved around Aaron.
"Ye're the Laird?"Izzy heard a few of the children's questions. Their voices bent with curiosity more than with malice. Aaron glanced over his shoulder, unable to hide the flash of apprehension flickering in his eyes.
"Aye,"he answered as he towered over them.
"Is that yer sword?Me faither has a sword, but it's nae that big," another boy chimed in as he muscled his way to the center of the crowd. Izzy watched as the tension building in Aaron drained out of him. Before too long, the children were completely bypassing Aaron all together and never giving him a second glance.
"I think this was a success,"Izzy said, rubbing her hands together as Aaron walked over to be with her. The smile on his face warmed her heart, and she wished more than anything for him to realize that his clan no longer saw him as a monster but a hero.
"Aye,I daenae ken how ye did it, but ye did," Aaron replied as he curled his arm around Izzy waist and pulled her closer to him. Her heart fluttered wildly as Izzy became aware of all the little eyes on them.
"My Laird,I do believe we have an audience," Izzy said, trying hard not to pay any attention to the children watching them. The fact that Aaron was bold enough to draw her so close in public thrilled her. She would never get this sort of passion from an Englishman. No. Not even in her wildest dreams did she think someone would be so affectionate, and yet here she was with just that sort of man.
"Let them watch,"Aaron answered, his voice husky with a hint of wanting lingering in his tone. "I doubt they'll mind."
Izzy giggledas Aaron leaned down and nibbled along the length of her neck. His kisses sent a flurry of little bumps rising all over her skin. She couldn't help let out a little squeal of pleasure as she pulled away.
"And just wheredo ye think ye're goin'? Ye cannae leave me here alone. The bairns came to see ye as well," Aaron complained as he planted a kiss on Izzy's cheek before letting her slip away.
"I'll be right back.I left my shawl inside, and the wind is shifting," Izzy said.
"Doye want me to go fetch it for ye? Or would ye care to have mine?" Aaron asked as he started to shrug out of his jacket. Izzy placed a reassuring hand on his chest and shook her head.
"No,"Izzy said as she shook her head. "Stay here, and let your people see you. The more contact, the better. By sunset, you'll have the whole clan seeing you in a whole new light."
"Ye'll be foolin'yerself if ye think that the people arenae here to see ye as well," Aaron argued. "They've all come to see the crazy Englishwoman who married the beastly laird. Yer just as much of a spectacle as I am."
Izzy pressedher hand to his chest and gave him a little shrug. "Oh, don't worry. I'll be right back. You think I want to miss out on any of this?"
"Ye and Chloedid a wonderful job with all of this. I never would have thought settin' up a pettin' pen for the bairns would be a good idea, but they seem to all love it."
"I never thoughtit would be so well enjoyed. Did you see how many smiles there were on everyone's faces? I don't think I've ever felt so happy to see that before," Izzy said as she tried to stave off the chill. She flashed Aaron a sympathetic smile and stepped away from him. "But let me get my cloak, and I'll be right out. I want to go through the maze with you if you don't mind."
"And why would I?"Aaron asked as he arched a suspicious eyebrow. "I have the loveliest wife any man could ask for. I'll wait for ye by the openin'. But daenae take too long."
Izzy glanced up at Aaron.There was a fire burning deep within his gaze that seemed to kindle Izzy's desires. Her breath hitched as she felt heat rushing from the tips of her toes up to the top of her head.
"The sooner youlet me go, the sooner I can come back to you," she said, hesitating to pull away. She wanted to stay by him, but the breeze had picked up, chilling her to the bone.
"Hurry back to me,"Aaron said as a new round of faces rushed past him. Izzy let out a small giggle as she turned and started for the side door of the castle. She glanced over her shoulder, stealing quick glimpses of him as he interacted with the children. Izzy couldn't ignore the pang in her heart as she watched him. Aaron was a natural with the children, taking the time and patience for each one. How easy it was for her to see him tending their children.
Izzy's heartfluttered at the thought. She stopped with her hand on the door, ready to pull it open. Was she seriously considering Aaron a father figure? It was so unexpected and alarming. Her heart picked up its rhythm as it pounded frantically in her ears.
She couldn't helpbut turn her attention to Aaron as the clamor of children's giggling caught her ear. Sure enough, the moment Izzy turned, she caught Aaron scooping up a small child andtossing the lad into the air. The child giggled and pleaded to be toss the second Aaron caught him.
"Once more,"the child pleaded as Izzy pulled the door open and stepped into the kitchen. The servants that had been so busy just hours ago had cleared out. Izzy pulled in a long deep breath, savoring the lingering scent of the baked goods that had just come out of the oven. The silence rang in her ears as Izzy glanced around the kitchen, and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. Just as she turned to catch a glimpse of the shadow moving to her left, a bag came over her head.
"What is going on?What are you doing? Let me go!"
