He raised the cup of amber liquid to his lips, taking a sip before casting another look at Caelan. “Ye alright now?”
A small smile touched Caelan’s lips, but he did not move. “Nay,” he teased. “Ye still look miserable. I fear ye might soon declare war.”
“I am nae declaring war.”
“I ken,” Caelan murmured from beside him. “I am still yer man-at-arms.”
Nae for long.
Aaron swirled the whiskey in his cup, taking another slow sip as his gaze darted around.
The Great Hall bustled with laughter and chatter as clansfolk and tenants prepared for the village fair. The air was warm as children ran about. And yet it did nothing to ease the tension that had settled behind his ribs.
Where is she?
Elders and councilmen greeted him as they moved in and out of the hall, and Aaron nodded each time, barely noting their faces. They had been trying to curry his favor for the past week.
The shift in their attitudes should have been enough proof that his fake betrothal to Edith was working as planned. And yet it did not feel that way.
His jaw clenched as he glanced toward the door.
Will she nae come down before the fair?
Aaron was in no way eager to see Edith. He only wondered where she was because they had to keep up appearances. Or at least, that was what he told himself.
The village fair was to be their third outing. He had chosen it because it was a great place to be seen together for most of the day. And yet here he stood, drinking whiskey near the hearth with no lass by his side.
He tightened his grip on the cup, his jaw flexing as he exhaled slowly through his nose.
To his left, Caelan was saying something he barely paid mind to. Perhaps about the fair, or the training yard, or some foolish tale that might have made him laugh on a different day. But he did not hear most of it.
Does she wish to avoid me today as well?
His thoughts drifted to Edith again. Things had been strange between them in the past few days.
He had honored the terms of their agreement and paid her. But not once had she acknowledged the handsome sum he had added atop her wage. And worse still, she acted as though hewere a necessary evil, only showing herself before him during crowded suppers.
Perhaps it is because of the kiss.
A muscle ticked in his jaw, and he shook the thought out of his mind.
I shouldnae think of her.
He took a slow sip of his whiskey this time, allowing the liquid to burn its way down his throat. But it did nothing to ground him, because even now, his mind returned to Edith.
“Ye’re doin’ it again,” Caelan murmured from beside him.
Aaron turned sharply, shoving the nearly empty cup into his hand. “Here, ye have it,” he gritted out. “Drink.”
Caelan’s face broke into a mischievous smile. “Thank ye, me Laird,” he said, leaning closer so that no one but Aaron would hear him. “But as thoughtful as yer offer is, I shall have to keep a watchful eye.”
He signaled to a servant boy nearby and set the cup on his tray.
“Has me sister arrived?” Aaron hissed.
“I have yet to receive a report.”
“Clearly, ye havenae checked.” Aaron rolled his eyes. “Seeing as ye have paid more care to me whiskey than yer duty all mornin’.”
