Hannah leaned forward, placing her hand on his arm. Then her eyes widened, and she withdrew immediately, looking surprised by her own boldness.
Aiden couldn’t hide his smile. He was finding that more and more difficult in her presence, something he’d not experienced before.
“I-I should see meself to bed,” she stammered, pushing herself to her feet. “I have an early morning.”
She fled from the room before he could stop her, and he chose not to chase despite the urge. Instead, he leaned back in his seat and took another sip of his whiskey.
Minutes later, soon enough that he’d have been angry over his dinner being interrupted had the lass not taken herself to bed, he looked up to see Lucas tromping through the door.
“Evening, Aiden,” he greeted. He glanced around the room and raised his eyebrows, having clearly noticed the second plate.
Aiden rolled his eyes. “Aye, it’s unfinished. Help yerself.”
Lucas made enough noise that Aiden assumed that was how he’d been caught following the lass two weeks ago, as he walked his way over to the other chair and flopped down onto it to make himself comfortable.
“Best nae to let it go to waste,” he said brightly, snagging a sausage with his bare hand and snapping off a bite.
“I assume ye didnae come here to pilfer me table scraps, Lucas,” Aiden pointed out impatiently.
“Aye, but it is a delightful benefit.”
“Lucas,” Aiden warned.
Lucas shook his head and leaned back. “More bandit attacks have been reported,” he began, his playful expression fading into seriousness.
“Aye?” Aiden felt his heart sink. “Despite the increased patrols on the roads?”
“Indeed, there have been several. It’s uncanny, almost as if the bandits ken when the patrols will occur and wait until they’re in between.” Lucas shrugged a shoulder. “Perhaps some of them are paying more attention than we give them credit for.”
“That’s an interesting theory,” Aiden said, certainly not liking it at all. “I’d hate to think the bandits are organizing in some way.”
“Aye,” Lucas agreed, snapping off another bite of the sausage.
A quiet knock sounded at the door.
“Enter,” Aidan called, half-hoping it was Hannah having decided not to avail herself of her mattress and to return for dessert.
Unfortunately, he had no such luck.
The door opened to reveal the face of a blonde maid. “Me Laird, the lady has been seen to bed. May I do anything else for ye?”
“Nay, lassie.” Aiden nodded at her. “Off to bed with ye.”
“Aye, me Laird.” The maid curtsied and closed the door with a quiet click, leaving them alone.
Aiden could feel Lucas grinning at him and closed his eyes tightly for a moment, taking another sip of his whiskey. Reluctantly, he turned his head back to his friend.
“A lady?” Lucas’s grin widened.
Aiden wondered if he had any chance of distracting him with more talk of bandits. From the gleam in the man’s eyes, he didn’t think that was likely.
“Oh, do tell the tale, Aiden.”
“Mind yer business.”
“Nae likely. Is it that bonnie lass ye had me follow the other day? Ye seemed very interested in her. Are ye finally considering finding yerself a wee bit of happiness? Perhaps a wife?”
Aiden scoffed and shook his head. “Ye ken good and well I have nay intention of taking a wife, Lucas. Ever.”
