Chapter 26 #2
The next morning dawned cool and bright, though Ian felt none of the peace such a morning ought to bring.
He stood knee-deep in a meadow of tall grass just beyond the castle walls, plucking wildflowers with far less grace than the delicate task required.
Stems snapped beneath his rough hands as he muttered a string of curses beneath his breath.
His warriors lingered nearby, pretending to check their horses while clearly watching their Laird gather flowers like some lovestruck lad.
Ian straightened and shot them a dark look. “What are ye staring at?” he barked.
A few of them quickly turned away, though one younger warrior failed to hide his grin. Ian scowled and returned to the patch of flowers, crouching again to pull up a cluster of bright yellow blooms.
“See what I do for this woman,” he grumbled to himself. “A Laird reduced to flower picking.”
He gathered a few more stems, muttering all the while. The wind stirred the grass around him, brushing softly against his boots as if the meadow itself mocked him. Still, he persisted until he had assembled a respectable bundle of wildflowers and tall grass.
Flynn approached cautiously from behind. “That’s quite the bouquet, me Laird.”
Ian shot him a look. “If ye laugh, I’ll see ye scrubbing the stables for a month.”
Flynn raised his hands innocently. “Wouldnae dream of it.”
Ian gave a grunt and began walking back toward the castle. The flowers felt absurd in his large hands, but he held them carefully nonetheless. If they brought even the smallest hint of warmth back to Arianna’s eyes, it would be worth every suspicious glance from his men.
By the time he reached the corridor outside her chamber, his resolve had hardened. Ian lifted his hand and knocked. For a moment, there was only silence. Then the door opened.
Arianna stood before him, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders. She was still in her nightshift with a shawl drawn over it. Her expression remained guarded, though he saw the flicker of surprise when she noticed the flowers.
Ian held them out awkwardly. “I brought this for yer wee bunny, Bramble, to eat.”
Her lips twitched despite herself. For a fleeting moment, she almost smiled. The sight struck him harder than any blade.
“Well,” she said quietly, stepping aside. “Ye’d best come in then.”
Ian entered the chamber, relief easing some of the tension in his chest. The small rabbit sat near the window, twitching its nose curiously as he approached.
“There ye are,” Ian murmured. He knelt and placed the flowers gently beside it. The rabbit sniffed them eagerly before beginning to nibble.
Arianna stood a few steps away, watching. The quiet between them stretched long and uncomfortable.
Ian rose slowly. His gaze drifted to her before he could stop himself. Her shoulders were bare where the shawl dipped, her skin, pale and smooth as cream. The loose fall of her nightshift traced the graceful curve of her figure, and the soft fullness of her lips pulled his attention like a magnet.
God help me. I want her.
The desire rose sharp and sudden in his chest, stirring memories of the closeness they had begun to share before everything fell apart. Ian forced himself to breathe slowly, clenching his hands at his sides to keep from reaching for her.
Now was not the time. Not when she looked at him like a stranger.
“Arianna,” he said quietly.
She lifted her gaze to meet his.
“Is there anything I can do,” he asked carefully, “that would prove to ye I didnae know of that clause?”
She did not answer at once. Her eyes searched his face as though weighing every word he had ever spoken to her. Finally she spoke.
“I do not see what ye could say that would make me believe ye didnae.”
The words struck him. Ian felt frustration surge through him.
“I have told ye the truth.”
“And yet the truth seems very convenient for ye.”
He exhaled sharply. “We’ve argued this enough.”
Her chin lifted slightly. “Have we?”
“Aye,” Ian said firmly. “And I will nae do it again.”
His voice hardened despite his effort to remain calm. “Words mean nothin' to ye now, and I’ve nay interest in shoutin' the same truth until I’m hoarse.”
Arianna’s expression cooled. “Then perhaps there is nothin' more to discuss.”
Ian held her gaze for one long moment. The distance between them felt unbearable. Then he turned and strode toward the door.
“Aye,” he said quietly. “Perhaps there isnae.”
The door closed behind him with a dull thud. Ian walked the corridor with long strides, anger and frustration boiling in his chest. Servants stepped aside quickly as he passed, sensing the storm brewing in their Laird’s mood. He slowed only when he reached the bend in the hallway near the windows.
Leaning against the stone wall, Ian rubbed a hand over his face. A solution came suddenly.
Perhaps I should take her home. A visit to Castle McDonald might allow them to confront the matter openly with her brother. Laird McDonald would surely ken whether such a clause truly existed or whether their uncle had manipulated the agreement.
Ian pushed away from the wall and resumed walking. His mind working, attempting to find a way to make her see his truth.
But there are the raiders, and taking Arianna riding through those dangerous passes fills me with dread. I willnae risk her safety.
If Alastair found a way to nullify the contract quietly, there would be nay need for such a journey at all. The problem would simply vanish.
One way or another, he would fix this. Even if Arianna refused to believe him. He would find a way to prove the truth.
And until then, I will endure the distance between us, nay matter how much it burns.