Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
AIDAN
“El amor y la guerra son una misma cosa,” Aidan said to Morrigan as she stormed into the library. He rose from his chair by the desk as she came across the room.
“What did you just say to me?”
She was an open book to him. He knew all her moods now. He knew the difference between the blush in her face when she was angry and the blush when he kissed her or whispered all the things that he’d do to her once they were married.
Right now, she was definitely angry.
He read the passage from the book he held open in his hand. “‘Love and war are all one. As in war it is lawful to use sleights and stratagems to overcome the enemy, so in amorous strifes and competencies, impostures and juggling tricks are held for good to attain the desired end.’”
“I just spoke with Isabella,” she told him. “You can’t do this.”
“Thomas Shelton’s translation of Cervantes’s Don Quixote.” He closed the volume and offered it to her. “It is a wonderful tale. Life changing. You should read it.”
“I’ve read it.” Morrigan took the book from him and put it down on the desk. None too gently. “She told me that Charles Forbes has decided to give up his seat in Parliament earlier than planned. The election will take place in early spring.”
“I heard the same thing.” He picked up the book. “Did you know Cervantes is Sebastian’s favorite author? I think it has to do with both of them losing an arm in battle, though I believe the author only lost the use of his left arm, ‘for the greater glory of his right,’ or something.”
Morrigan was not to be deterred. “But you went to Cinaed this morning and withdrew your name as a candidate.”
“It’s true, mi amor. What else can a man do when the woman he loves refuses him?
” He laid the book gently on the desk, touching the leather binding.
“I’ve decided that my brother and I shall give up the law and travel the world.
I shall be the noble knight-errant, Don Quixote, and he’ll be my Sancho Panza, though I think he might be too tall. ”
She placed herself between him and the desk. “I never refused you. We talked about this.”
“We never settled anything.”
“I need to get my father’s letter back first.”
“We’ll keep trying. But what happens if we can’t retrieve it? And none of Sir Rupert’s threats are about the letter. He is weaving his own tales.”
Morrigan paled. “I know.”
“Think of everything that is being circulated about Cinaed. Is any of it the truth? Is there any document that justifies all the lies? None. If their plan is to ruin me because I’ve been fortunate to make them look like fools in court, they’ll come up with all kinds of falsehoods about me, anyway.”
She hugged her arms around her middle. “I refuse to give them a scandal they can use to ruin you.”
“Nothing they know about you can ruin me. And we’re talking about Parliament. Public life,” he reminded her. “To pursue that as a career, we have to be numb to the gossip. We can’t run away and hide. Instead, we have to show them we’re not afraid of whatever obstacles they hurl our way.”
“So you are standing for the election,” she said, sounding relieved.
“Not without you at my side.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
“I’ll not be put off again. We are not talking about it later.” He caught her elbow before she moved away from him. “I want an answer now.”
“Aidan,” she said softly, trying to pull away.
“My Dulcinea.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “Do you love me?”
“I love you. I love you. Of course I love you. I’ve told you that many times.”
He kissed her and was once again taken by how passionately she responded. They stayed in each other’s arms for too short a time, however. The door to the library was open and anyone could walk in on them.
“What really worries you, my love?”
She held his gaze. “I’m too passionate, too opinionated, too volatile. Aren’t you afraid that I might put my dagger into the heart of anyone who doesn’t show you the proper respect?”
“I’m counting on it.” He kissed her nose and placed kisses on each of her cheeks. “What do you think Sebastian’s calling has been?”
“I don’t want to take his job.”
“Have no fear about that. We could be going to London, which is a far more dangerous place than Edinburgh or Inverness. I need you both in my life.”
She was still uncertain. He could tell. “Talk to me. Tell me what I can do to put your mind at ease.”
“It’s not you,” she exploded. “I’m the problem.
Ever since you asked me to marry you, I have no difficulty imagining myself meeting you on the kirk steps.
It’s what comes afterward that fills me with doubts.
I wasn’t raised in a traditional household.
We had no women coming to call; there were no return visits.
No darning or embroidery or lacemaking. No arranging of dinner parties.
What do I know about being a wife to a person of importance?
What do I know about being a wife, at all? ”
“What do I know about being a husband?”
“Exactly. All the more reason for us to wait.”
He smiled. “I hand you an imaginary sword and there sits a pell.” He gestured to a chair. “What do you do with it?”
“Right now?”
“Right now.”
“I hammer it to pieces. Cut and slash it into kindling.”
“Imagine this as a metaphor for our marriage.”
Her eyes widened.
“When you’re upset, when you need to release your frustration, you can use me like that chair. I’ll be your trusted old pell.”
She shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “A marriage based on the training yard. You’ve lost your mind.”
“A marriage that says we will work hard on everything and solve our problems together. A marriage that begins and continues with the promise that we’ll grow together and learn to complete each other.
” Aidan cupped her face and looked into her beautiful dark eyes.
“I love you, and you love me. I respect you, and you respect me. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, and I know you want the same. It’s foolish to let the lack of knowing a few parlor games get in the way of a lifetime of love.
I would marry you today if you would say yes. ”
Her arms slipped around him. She pressed her face against his chest and held him. “I swear to you, if I could do it now, at this very moment, I would marry you. But I can make no guarantee about tomorrow. My cold feet could return by then.”
He took her by the hand. “Come with me.”
Aidan paid no attention to her questions or complaints. He took her out of the library and past the drawing room and down the stairs. They stopped by the laird’s study.
She looked hopefully at him. “You’re going to tell Cinaed that you’ve reconsidered your decision?”
“Marry me, Morrigan. Tell me now that you’ll marry me.”
“I just told you I would . . . if it were today. But I can’t speak for tomorrow.”
“Some decisions are irrevocable, my love.” He drew her to the chapel door.
“What are you doing?”
“Will you marry me, Miss Drummond?” he asked, pulling the door open.
All of them were there. Morrigan’s gaze took in the people who’d gathered in the chapel. Family, friends, everyone that Morrigan knew. Isabella and Maisie stood just inside. At the very front of the chapel, Sebastian was standing beside a priest.
Aidan knew her. He knew how she felt and what her fears were. If he waited, the time might never come that she conquered all of her doubts. Isabella had been indispensable in arranging this moment.
It was a chance he had to take. But Morrigan needed to say yes.
“What have you done?” she asked, her misty eyes meeting his.
“The rules of fair play do not apply in love and war.”
“Don Quixote. I should have known.” She took his hand. “I’ll marry you, Aidan Grant. I thought you’d never ask.”