Aaron flexed his jaw.Oh, the things he wanted to spew out. Liars, that's what he wanted to call them. Vile, knaves, brutes, the lot of them. Aaron glared at Barney as he tried to unravel the plot against him. Surely, they had come at such a late hour for more than one reason.
"And why isthat do ye think? Is the council nae impressed with the job I've done so far? By me accounts, it seems the borders are secure, the land is wealthy, and the only true issues ye have is that there's too few bairns runnin' about?"
"There's moreto it than that," Barney said as he pulled at his collar. Aaron rose slowly from his seat and towered over his desk.
"I'm sure there is,but the hour is late, the day has been tryin', and the morrow gives me nay hope that I'll get a reprieve of me toils. So, with that good evenin'," Aaron snapped as he started for the door. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder if Barney and Nathan had come merely to see if he had lived through the night and the attack.
There wasno doubt in the back of his mind that his own council was itching to get rid of him. It seemed every turn he took was filled with dangers and trials. How could he ever consider bringing another into such discord?
"Laird, if there's anythin'—" Barley started, but Aaron flashed him a warning glare, daring Barney to keep chatting. Barney clamped his mouth shut as he gave a feeble nod then he cowered. He grabbed Nathan by the forearm and pulled him for the doorway. "I think we've outstayed our welcome. It is a blessin' to see ye alive and well, Laird McNeil. And congratulations on yer weddin' plans. I'm sure everythin' will go just as ye planned."
Aaron's musclestightened at the hypocrisy of Barney's speech. How Aaron wanted to pin the man to the wall and beat him to a pulp. If it wasn't for him and others spewing such vile rumors about him, he could have lived a decent life. But no matter which way he turned, he was plowing down one lie after another as they sprang up around his name and reputation.
"Well, that was interestin',"Ryan said as he stopped at the threshold, pausing for Aaron's permission. "I've got to say, I daenae think I've seen the council so on edge."
"They sentthe bandits and were hopin' for a different outcome," Aaron explained as he grabbed Ryan and pulled him in the room before swiftly closing the door.
"Have ye evidence?"Ryan asked and curled his fingers around the hilt of his sword, ready to take action.
"What do ye think?"Aaron snapped. "I think they were hopin' to ruin the lass."
"This is gettin'serious. Do ye think that the lass will be in danger?" Ryan asked as he moved to the fireplace.
"Of course,she will until she is with child. Until then, we have a huge target on our backs. But if by the grace of God, we can conceive, it'll save her. The council willnae kill an innocent, and they'll have an heir to keep the clan strong," Aaron concluded as he paced the length of the room. "I, on the other hand, will become expendable."
"Unless the lass loves ye,"Ryan chimed in. His interjection pulled Aaron up short. Stopping in the middle of the room, Aaron glared at Ryan.
"What doesthat have to do with anythin'? Love is nothin' more than a silly notion. Somethin' one says when theywant somethin' from someone. 'Tis nothin' but a form of manipulation."
"Ye thinkyer maither would say that?" Ryan asked. His words struck Aaron like a javelin. "I think ye and I both ken that she loved ye."
"Aye,there's a different sort of love a parent gives to their child, but I wouldnae want that feelin' bestowed on me for all the world," Aaron announced as he moved to the small table and poured a heavy glass of whiskey. "I cannae imagine the worry and toils that transpire for a parent. Nay, I wouldnae want that."
"Raisin'yer own would be different than what ye went through raisin' Chloe ," Ryan stated. "Ye'd have the clan helpin' every second."
"That's nae what bothers me,"Aaron stated as he dropped his shoulders. "Until I get the clan to see that I'm nay a villain, they'll never trust me. Even after all I've done, they still see me as a monster."
"I daenae think they believe that,"Ryan argued over his shoulder as he threw another log on the fire.
"That so?Then why does the council continue to try for me life? Explain that to me. Because ye'd think that such attempts would cease after they've seen I'm nae as bad as they think I am."
"That's it,"Ryan declared as he glared into the fire.
Aaron rolledhis eyes and walked over to the fireplace. Leaning into the mantel, Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose as he waited for Ryan to explain further. When there was only silence, Aaron tapped Ryan's elbow.
"Are ye goin'to tell me what it is that's got ye bewildered so?" Aaron asked as he studied his friend's contorted expression. He couldn't tell if it was a warning trying to flicker through his expression or pity.
"Ye needto woo yer English wife. If ye can get her to adore ye, then the clan will see that ye're nae such a villain," Ryan suggested.
"The last thingI need is to have some doe-eyed lass followin' me about the castle," Aaron said, his voice laced with disappointment. Ryan shook his head as the excitement grew within his gaze.
"But that is exactlywhat ye want, right? Listen, what's the one thing ye want the most?" Ryan asked as he grabbed Aaron by his shoulders, pinning him to the spot.
"Vengeance,"Aaron answered without hesitation. Ryan bobbed his head as his smile stretched across his face.
"And that's a noble cause,but are ye lookin' to right the wrong the council did or the bandits because there is a difference?" Ryan prompted as Aaron watched a plan solidify in Ryan's mind. "It's honorable. But tell me truthfully, ye want to see the lass spared, daenae ye?"
"I'll startwith the council if I must; what's it to ye?"
