Chapter 12 #2
"Caiden had expected me to marry his daughter," Aaron answered as he kept the expression off his face. "And yet here we are."
"Oh" was all that came out of Izzy. It drove Aaron mad wishing to have the ability to read her facial expressions.
Anyone else in the clan, Aaron could read like a book.
Yet, Izzy was unlike any woman he'd met before, and if he was going to be a halfway decent husband, he was going to have to learn how to read her.
"Forgive me for asking, but why didn't you? You're both Scottish and in the same clan. It would be a smart match.""
"I had nay intention of marryin' anyone, let alone her.
Or did ye nae think to consider how this has upended me life?
I was content with it just bein' me and Chloe .
She could be the one to bring heirs if that's what she wanted.
Had it nae been for the King's orders, I'd still be single and ye'd be in England. "
"And we wouldn't be having a conversation about how we won't have a future," Izzy mumbled. Her voice broke as she tried to hold back her emotions.
"I wouldnae say that."
"Do you want a family?"
"Nay," Aaron answered without hesitation. "Was nae somethin' I ever thought about. When ye have someone ye've already looked over, suppose ye daenae want that later in life."
"I see," Izzy said.
In the corner of Aaron's eye, he thought he noticed Izzy's shoulders dropping slightly.
As much as Aaron wished he could take back his words, it was far too late.
The words had slipped out without any regard to her feelings.
If he was going to get her to bed him, he was going to have to be more sensitive to her needs.
"I'm sorry, truly," he said in hushed tones. "But we both ken this was nae what we had planned out for our lives. Can ye truly tell me that ye dreamed of marryin' a savage Scot? Because I'll be honest with ye —"
"Oh, now you're going to be honest with me? Do tell, I'm dying to know," Izzy interjected as she folded her arms over her chest. Aaron arched his eyebrow as his gaze flashed her a warning.
"I never thought I'd be bound to an English harpy."
"English harpy?" Izzy repeated with indignation. Her hands balled into fists as she pulled in long deep breath. Her cheeks flushed rouge with anger, and just as she opened her mouth, Aaron placed his hands on her shoulders as if to ground her to the spot.
"I tease," Aaron said, letting his voice bend with compassion as he flashed a sheepish grin. "But come now. Ye cannae tell me this is what ye wanted when we both ken, it wasnae."
"I understand, but it still doesn't hurt any less knowing I wasn't a first choice. It would have been nice to be married to someone who wanted to be married to me."
"If it makes ye feel any better, I do believe ye have spared me a miserable life with that one."
"And why is that? Melina seemed to be nice. She wanted to continue our correspondence through mail. She thought I could use a friend in the realm."
"Did she now?" Aaron folded his arms over his chest trying to curb the ire in his tone. "Izzy, please listen when I tell ye to be careful about what ye write to her."
"Is she an enemy?" Izzy asked, unable to hide the shock in her voice. Aaron shook his head hoping to dispel any suspicion rising in Izzy.
"Nay, nae at all. But she's nae exactly an ally," Aaron explained as he led Izzy to the terrace and away from itching ears.
"Well, that should change. If they have grains or any goods to trade, we should look at them as business partners."
"Caiden is nae a man ye want to go into business with," Aaron said as he swiped one of the glasses off the servant's tray as they passed.
Taking the contents in one gulp, Aaron enjoyed the burn of the whiskey as it went down.
"He's ken for causin' issues with cargo to swindle more money from the ports or clients.
The man doesnae care how he makes money, just that he does. "
"Surely she's not the same," Izzy said. "I think the apple fell far from that tree. I think I'd like to get to know her a bit better. And you never know, maybe what you've heard about Caiden is wrong."
"Doubt it," Aaron replied as he tried not to roll his eyes.
"But I'm nae the one tryin' to make nice.
Ye go on ahead. If ye think she's worth yer time, then write the lass.
But I'm goin' to ask ye, as yer husband, to just be careful what ye share with her.
Can I trust ye on this matter?" Aaron studied Izzy.
There was no hesitation on her part. Despite the fact they had been forced together, she was already living up to the title of Lady McNeil.
"I think Melina seems agreeable. But I promise, I won't put in anything that would cause you shame or disgrace."
"Just daenae be surprised if she ends up bein' a false friend."
"Has anyone told you that you are a very pessimistic person? How do you live life seeing things so negatively all the time? It has to be tiresome. You do realize that not everyone is out to get you?"
"Aye," Aaron said as his smirk stretch. "I ken exactly the sort of man I am. The question is though, can ye say the same about Melina? Just use discernment when it comes to that family. I'm all for makin' new business arrangements and such, but sometimes, ye got to ken when to walk away."