Page 61 of Ensnaring the Dove
“I was taking a stroll,” she lied, plastering an answering smile upon her lips to mask her discomfort. “And thought I’d stop by.”
Aedan’s smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners before he motioned to the older man. “Colombia … this is Keir.” He glanced over at the carpenter then, switching to his own tongue. Over the past couple of days, Moira had been teaching Colombia a little of the Briton language, at her request. And although she had only learned a handful of words and sentences so far, Colombia gleaned that he’d introduced her—telling Keir that Colombia was the fort commander’s daughter.
Keir nodded to her, smiling. “Good day, my lady,” he greeted her in halting Latin.
Colombia smiled back. Her gaze then shifted to the table between the two men. “That’s an exquisite piece of furniture,” she observed. “Who’s it for?”
“A farmer outside Coria.” Aedan pulled a face. “A pompous retired centurion … the man’s a donkey’s ass.”
Keir flashed his apprentice a quelling look. “A job’s a job, lad,” he muttered. “Vidius is paying us well … that’s all that matters.”
Aedan snorted at this yet didn’t comment further.
Keir shifted back from the table and put his chisel and hammer to one side. “The day is nearly done now,” he announced. “Shall I fetch us all something to drink?”
Aedan nodded, flashing the carpenter a grateful smile. “Thanks.”
With a nod to Colombia, and a grin, Keir disappeared out back.
When he was gone, Colombia stepped inside the workshop, while Aedan picked up a broom and swept wood shavings out into the street. Outdoors, the gloaming was settling. It was later than she’d realized, and they were clearly shutting up shop for the day.
I should really get back.Once it got dark, her father would mark her absence and send Moira out looking for her. Nonetheless, Colombia didn’t move. She wanted to remain here just a while longer.
“They’re making a lot of noise at that tavern,” Aedan observed as he pulled the heavy doors closed. “There’s a group of them drinking on the street.”
Colombia pulled a face. “Although coin is scarce these days, it seems a few legionaries can still afford a cup of wine.”
She didn’t mention the things she’d overheard those two legionaries saying about her. Maybe she should ask Aedan to escort her back to the compound once her visit here concluded.
Aedan turned from closing the doors, his pursed lips making his opinion of Roman soldiers clear. The past two months hadn’t softened his attitude, it seemed.
Awkwardness stole over Colombia. Suddenly, she felt as if she were intruding. “We had guests last night,” she admitted then, flashing him a shy smile. “Commander Aquila and his wife.”
Aedan’s gaze widened. “You met them?”
She nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever met two such charismatic people.”
He snorted, although his gaze was warm. “Justin and Fenella make quite a couple, don’t they?”
“They do … you can see they’re devoted to each other. Fenella’s pregnant.”
Another smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “I’m glad to hear they’re both well.” He moved across to the workbench behind the table and leaned against it, folding his arms across his chest.
Curse her, she noticed how the muscles of his upper arms flexed under his smooth skin, the way the blue woad tattoos danced. Aedan was tall and lean, yet his body was hard and sculpted. She remembered what it had felt like pressed up against her, how his skin had tasted.
Her pulse started to race.
“They are,” she replied, clearing her throat once more as she tried to focus. “I wanted to tell them you were living here … but I decided not to. I hope that was what you wished?”
His smile faded, and he nodded. “Thank you,” he murmured. “I don’t bear either of them ill, yet it’s best our paths don’t cross.”
She inclined her head. “Why are you so reluctant to see Aquila again?”
He huffed a sigh. “Awkwardness, I suppose. I was once his slave, yet I’m not any longer. I wouldn’t know how to act around the man, or what to say.”
Colombia studied his face, wondering at his answer. Aedan was confident, arrogant, and didn’t seem to care what people thought of him; yet something about Aquila made him a littleinsecure. She wouldn’t be surprised if Aedan still harbored some resentment toward his former master.
Keir appeared then, bearing a tray with three wooden cups balanced upon it. His gaze flicked between the two of them, curiosity lighting in his eyes. “Ale?”