Chapter 10 - Betrayal
From the moment he had helped her out of the coach, Aidan had been aware of her. Not in an unpleasant way — just unfamiliar. Her eyes had started to shine the moment they had entered the stables, and he had noticed the way her chest had lifted, sucking in the scents through her nose.
His stable master and one of his best friends, Padraigh, had taken it upon himself to escort the guests to the picnic Mistress Jones had been preparing all day and large parts of yesterday as well, when Aidan had noticed Catherine falling behind.
He had not suspected anything about it when he had joined her and Lady Clifden, but realised the moment he stepped closer that Catherine was up to something.
The way she started to talk Maisie into leaving her alone with a probably dangerous man and even more dangerous animals almost caused him to smile.
At the same time, the ghost of a warning tugged at his insides.
Catherine clearly wanted to be alone with him.
His eyes narrowed, wondering if she had figured it out.
He’d been foolish to ask her to meet him.
Risking the lives of good men for a woman he barely knew, when she’d be his in a couple of weeks anyway.
The way she expertly played with her chaperone’s good-naturedness still had him bite back a grin, and when a sharp gaze from narrowed eyes flickered across his face, he stepped in, vowing to Lady Clifden he’d protect Catherine.
Aidan could practically smell her nervousness the moment Maisie had left.
It screamed from every line of her body.
Her shoulders were held just a little bit too straight, her chin was stubbornly lifted, while her eyes refused to focus on him.
Catherine was staring at the floor, her voice strangled when she thanked him for helping with Maisie.
It was hard to watch. His hand twitched against his thigh, battling the urge to reach for her chin and make her look at him.
He exhaled. Slowly. She had something on her mind.
He knew it would come out if he didn’t push.
It always did — people just hated silence.
And Catherine clearly had some kind of agenda.
He could see the resolution settle on her face when she lifted her eyes and stared at his chest. Progress. Her voice was soft when she started: “There’s… something… a matter… I need to discuss with you, M’Lord.” He interrupted her. “Aidan, please, M’Lady.”
It earned him a quick glance right into his eyes and a tiny nod.
The way she squirmed instead of just spilling whatever it was she meant to tell him caused his own suspicion to surge.
He could tell she didn’t want to confide whatever she had on her heart to him.
“I’m sure you’re aware of your political reputation, M’Lo.. Aidan.” she tried again and he nodded. Slowly.
Her voice was strained when she continued.
“I wish to assure you that I do not intend to insult you with assumptions. I am very aware you are a highly respected gentleman and I’d never doubt that, Sir. If you just… if you happen to know people that know other people that might be entangled in illegal affairs…
what I want to say is that I’d never think any less of you, if you by chance happened to know… people!”
Aidan had to unwrap her words in his head and noticed he had stared at her blankly for a couple of seconds. She didn’t suspect him of being the thief. She’d not have beaten around the bush that long had it just been that. There was something else.
His body twitched when he kept himself from stepping closer to reassure her. Aidan tried to convey it with his voice instead. “I do not feel insulted by the notion that I might have friends that then again have friends of their own,” he murmured.
Catherine nodded, her words coming faster now. “There’s a group of people being watched by local authorities.” A piercing gaze met his. “People accused of treason — among other crimes.”
Something softened in him when he understood she was trying to warn him. A lump formed in his throat and a wave of sheer admiration for her radiated through him when he tipped his head encouragingly.
Her hands bunched to fists at her sides and she spat out the next information, her entire body seemed to vibrate with the effort to not flinch.
“The sheriff is very sure this group of people will not pose any threat to a peaceful Kilkenny much longer. Apparently they are not aware of informers among their own rows.”
Aidan’s eyes widened at that. His face felt stiff when he forced it to remain entirely unimpressed. His own hands mimicked Catherine’s. Anger. They’d find the rat. The urgency in her voice brought him back to his senses. “High treason, M’Lord, is a crime punished with death.”
“Aidan.” he corrected her automatically, his pulse spiking.
She was afraid for him. His Catherine was afraid he’d hang from the gallows.
The only thing he wanted to do right now was pull her into his arms and tell her not to worry.
Sudden heat stung her cheeks, her foot tapping against the ground twice, reminding him he had not answered her yet.
His hand reached out without him wanting it to, fingertips touching against her chin. She lifted her gaze, and then immediately looked past his face again, her tongue involuntarily moistening her lips. Her skin was so pale and delicate that Aidan could see her pulse race in her throat.
The thought hit him square in his chest.
She was trying to save the man who had stolen two of her kisses from the gallows.
The very man she didn’t know was him. She couldn’t even look him in the eye talking about it.
Aidan bit down upon his tongue. The urge to confess everything to her so strong he had to bite back the words.
But she couldn’t know. She had already committed treason herself by trusting him.
She had risked everything. For the man she had pushed away so she would not dishonor her future husband.
He clenched his jaw so hard that his teeth started to hurt, forcing himself to a reply. “I am well aware, M’Lady.”
She finally looked at him. Her warm brown eyes were overflowing with emotions, her nose twitched briefly.
She wasn’t content with his reaction. His eyes were magically drawn to her lips when she tipped her head briefly.
“The friends of your friends, Aidan…. will they… will you let them know?” she asked, blunt this time.
It was too much. Seeing her tremble from fear of his disdain, while still trying to protect somebody she didn’t seem to think worth dying. Aidan didn’t even try to stop himself when his arm wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her against him so that his lips could find her sweet mouth.
It felt like he was kissing her for the first time — and in a way he was.
Something inside him knew he mustn’t scare her, and he tried to withdraw from the kiss.
Tried to break it, but then the muscles in her back softened underneath his hand.
He could feel her suck in a breath, and her lips gently pressed back against his mouth.
His hand moved to her jaw, her ear, tilting her head, fingers gently teasing against the side of her face in the way he knew would make her allow him to deepen the kiss. His teeth carefully grazed her bottom lip, nibbling, asking her for more. For so much more.
He knew he had made a mistake only half a breath later. For a couple of seconds she had been so soft and pliant, so responsive. Her body had stiffened the moment his teeth had touched against her mouth. Now he might as well have held a statue of marble.
The warmth that had lived in her a heartbeat earlier was gone completely, replaced by a rigid stillness that travelled through her shoulders and spine until even the breath in her chest seemed to stop.
He withdrew, his hand still wrapped around her waist, scanning her face for what had just happened.
Aidan’s gaze was met with cold fury. He understood — moments before she could confirm his worst suspicion. He could see it in her eyes. His breath hitched briefly. She knew. She removed herself from his embrace, ice clinking in her voice.
“You were very convincing…. Dhorn.”
He shook his head. Reached for her arm to make her stay. She shook his hand off like a fly, already gathering her skirts.
For a heartbeat she stood utterly still, as if bracing herself. Then her shoulders squared, familiar composure settling over her features like a mask.
“Catherine…”
She didn’t hesitate, but strode towards the doors quickly.
“Catherine! Let me explain…” he followed her.
But his stubborn little Lady didn’t look back even once. She stepped outside, slowing just enough to not draw any attention when she joined the Ladies already gathered for the picnic.