Page 62 of Ensnaring the Dove
XXVI. TAKING THE RISK
THE THREE OF them drank together while Aedan and Keir talked of daily life in the fort. They made the effort to converse in Latin, even though Keir wasn’t nearly as fluent as Aedan. Colombia appreciated them including her.
It was cozy inside the workshop; a lantern hung overhead illuminating the shelves of tools and the table they’d almost finished. The fruity scent of olive oil, which they used to preserve wood, hung heavily in the air, and Colombia inhaled it deeply. The smell reminded her of Asculum.
Eventually, Keir heaved himself up off the stool he’d been perching on and drained the dregs of ale from his cup. “I’d better clean up in here … before I finish preparing supper,” he announced, flashing Colombia an apologetic look.
“You go through,” Aedan answered. “I’ll put the tools away.”
Keir nodded, yet there was a knowing glint in his blue eyes as his gaze shifted from Aedan to Colombia once more. Although his apprentice’s expression was veiled, it was clear Aedan wanted some privacy with his guest.
If she’d been in a Roman household, Colombia wouldn’t have been allowed to spend time alone with an unmarried man—especially since Aedan wasn’t her betrothed—but the Brigante people did things differently.
As such, Keir left them to it. “I put a mutton and turnip stew on earlier,” he informed Aedan as he headed toward the door. “I just need to make some dumplings to go with it.”
“I’ll be through shortly,” Aedan assured him.
Keir left, shutting the wattle door behind him.
When they were alone in the workshop, an awkward silence fell.
Aedan finished his ale and set the cup aside before he started to pick up the various tools scattered over work surfaces and replace them on the shelves and hooks upon the walls.
Colombia watched him work, nervousness stealing over her. She suddenly was at a loss for words.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Colombia,” he said eventually, glancing over his shoulder at her after hanging a saw up on the wall. “But is it wise for you to keep visiting me?”
“Probably not,” she murmured.
He turned to face her fully. “What if your father hears of it?”
She grimaced. “No doubt, he’d be angry.”
“And yet you’d defy him anyway?”
Colombia sighed. “Now that I know you live here, I don’t think I can keep away.”
Aedan’s gaze widened. Her candidness had clearly surprised him.
It surprised Colombia too, yet at the same time, it thrilled her. Aedan always made her feel brave.
He moved away from the far wall then, skirting the table and coming to a halt just a couple of feet from her. “Maybe I should have moved elsewhere.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
Aedan’s mouth thinned. “We’re playing with fire, Colombia.” He paused then, looking around, and she noted the tension in his jaw, neck, and shoulders. “And if we’re not careful, we’ll get badly burned.”
Colombia’s throat tightened. “You’re right,” she whispered. “I’m being reckless visiting you at this hour … on my own … it’s just that” —she broke off there, her breathing suddenly shallow— “I miss you.”
He stared back at her. “You think I don’t miss you too?” he replied huskily. “Every moment of the day since I left you at the gates to the compound, I’ve felt your lack.” He fisted his hand and slammed it against his breastbone. “Here.” He swallowed hard then. “But it’s pointless. You’re the fort commander’s daughter … and I’m a Brigante turd he’d happily flatten under his boot.”
Colombia’s pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. “That’s not true … he wouldn’t treat you like that.”
Aedan’s gaze narrowed. “Wouldn’t he?”
She recalled then how Severus had ignored Fenella the previous evening, and unease prickled her skin. “My father’s as arrogant as you are, and just as proud,” she replied, pushing the thought aside. “Yet he’s not unreasonable.”
Aedan folded his arms over his chest. “Well, if that’s the case, why don’t you take me to him now … and tell him you want to marry me. See how he reacts.”