“Then let's get this over with,” Ian remarked to his brother.
After a few hours’ rest and some food in his gut, Ian waited nervously for Ida to arrive. He had asked Iris to fetch her and her sister had given him a knowing smile before leaving to do his bidding, not pushing back at him for once.
It seemed that she didn’t mind doing so.
When Ida finally came into the chamber, Ian gave her a grin. “Come in, Ida.”
“How are ye feeling?” she asked immediately as she joined him at the side of the bed, seating herself next to him. Ian was tired of laying down, but he had promised the healer he wouldn’t get off the bed without help.
For once Ian was going to listen. He didn’t want to fall flat on his face and embarrass himself further. “I tell ye, I donna feel like mahself yet.”
“I donna imagine ye will for some time,” she said slowly, clasping her hands in her lap. “Ye almost died, Ian.”
He knew that. His da had told him so. “Aye, but I dinna.”
“I’m so verra sorry,” she blurted out a moment later. “I sent ye back in there after mah uncle and if I hadna...”
“Then he would have perished,” Ian said firmly, not letting her take the blame for his decisions. “It was mah decision lass and if I hadna wished tae retrieve him, then I wouldna have gone in.”
“It was a brave thing ye did,” Ida said softly. “A thing that I canna repay ye for.”
“I donna want repayment lass,” Ian said, reaching over to take her hand in his. He heard her sharp intake of breath but just having her hand in his was comforting to him. “I want yer hand in marriage.” Only after he got the words out that he dared himself to meet her stunned look.
“Ye still wish tae marry mah?” she asked, her eyes searching his.
“Aye,” Ian replied, giving her a small grin. “I mean I did risk mah life for ye.”
Tears filled her eyes and Ian’s grin faded. “Och lass, donna cry.”
She shook her head but the tears continued to fall onto her cheeks, her hand clenching his tightly. “I thought I lost ye,” she finally said after several moments. “I thought that I would never get the chance tae tell ye how I felt aboot ye.”
“And now?” he asked, his voice wavering slightly.
“I’m in love with ye,” Ida finished, giving him a watery smile. “And it doesna feel wrong at all.”
Ian’s breath left his lungs and he gaped his mouth open, not sure how to answer her. “I… I love ye too lass,” he decided on, telling her the truth.
Her lips parted and Ian leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers. It was just as sweet of a kiss as it had been before when he thought that their future was set. Little did he know that this would be the moment they shared in each other’s feelings.
He would never let her go.
The clearing of a throat caught Ian’s attention before he could deepen their kiss and they broke apart, seeing Ida’s uncle in the doorway.
Yet another interrupting, though this time he didn’t charge Ian. “Forgive mah for interrupting,” he said, his cheeks reddening. “I heard ye were awake.”
“Uncle,” Ida said, rising from the bed. “Ye are supposed tae be resting yerself.”
He waved her away, stepping into the room, his eyes on Ian. “I wanted tae tell ye mahself that I am forever in yer debt for saving mah niece’s life and mine.”
“Tis was nothing,” Ian began but the older man shook his head. “It was everything,” he stated firmly, glancing at Ida. “Iwant tae be the first tae apologize for how I treated ye. I was harboring ill will against ye and ye dinna deserve it.”
“I appreciate yer apology,” Ian said honestly. “And I hope that ye can bless our union.”
To his credit, the older man didn’t even look surprised. “Aye, I can,” he said, giving Ian a wide smile. “Though I will have tae admit, she’s quite the handful at times.”
“Uncle!” Ida admonished, her cheeks pinkening. “I am not!”
The older man winked at his niece before quitting the room and leaving them alone once more. “Well?” Ian asked. “Will ye accept mah hand, Ida?”
