“Beloved?” she repeated, horrified.
“Aye.” Violet nodded, as though it were obvious. “Who else would ye sit dreaming about whilst drawing kisses?”
“I wasnae!” Edith protested, her face burning hotter.
Violet laughed softly, the sound filling the quiet library for the first time in months.
And somehow, despite her embarrassment, Edith found herself laughing too.
The next council meeting was held sooner than anticipated.
After the announcement of the previous day, Aaron had expected his council to be rattled. But he had not expected that the councilmen and elders would be nervous enough to request a meeting the very next day.
It was unlike them. They had sent a messenger ahead to request an audience, and Aaron sent word back immediately, ordering them to meet in his study at noon instead.
He had prepared for this. He already knew what they wanted to say, and it suited him to have them say it earlier, rather than ruin his supper two nights in a row.
He stood in the study, his face set in a hard expression as he faced Caelan and his council.
One of the elders cleared his throat, stepping forward before Aaron had given permission to speak. “Me Laird,” he began carefully, “we appreciate ye agreeing to meet with us again so soon.”
“I didnae agree,” Aaron replied flatly. “I summoned ye instead.”
The elder’s mouth tightened faintly, but he nodded, bending his head before stepping back.
No one else spoke until Aaron signaled the start of the meeting.
Another councilman stepped forward. “Folks remain unsettled by yer announcement.”
Aaron scoffed. “Folks should concern themselves with winter stores and border patrols instead of me betrothal.”
A few of the councilmen exchanged glances.
“We only seek clarity,” another elder said. “Such matters affect the future of the clan.”
Aaron’s jaw hardened slightly.
There it is again. The future of the clan.
His councilmen spoke as though the clan would continue to exist once they handed it over to MacFaris. But they were mostlyignorant and old, and it was only unfortunate that time alone could prove the truth.
“Me Laird,” another councilman stepped forward, bowing his head low before rising. “I beg ye to listen. If ye marry Laird MacFaris’s daughter, the clan would gain more lands and power.” His eyes shone with greed as he spoke. Aaron recognized him as one of those who had spoken ill of Edith after the announcement. “Lady Edith has no noble ties. No alliances. No dowry worthy of a Laird’s household.”
Aaron’s expression did not shift. Perhaps it was because he had governed since he was young and the lairdship had passed to him following his father’s death. They still viewed him as a lad.
“Is that truly the matter?” he asked quietly. “Or are ye displeased that I refused the alliances ye attempted to force on me?”
The councilman looked up. He opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out.
Aaron swept his gaze across all the men present, but no one stepped forward to speak. And that was answer enough.
His chest tightened.
“Ye speak as though the sole purpose of marriage is gaining land and money,” he said. “As though Hallow would crumble because I chose differently.”
“Alliances strengthen survival,” one elder pressed carefully. “Especially now.”
Aaron glanced sharply at him. “Especially now?”
