Page 7 of Heart of the Highlands: The Rose (Protectors of the Crown #6)
The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its warm amber glow casting playful, dancing shadows across the timeworn stone walls of Aiden’s private study. He sat at his sturdy oak desk, gazing out the window where the sky was painted in vivid hues of orange and purple by the setting sun. The room, filled with the scent of burning wood and aged leather, felt both cozy and isolating. A slight chill lingered in the air, contrasting with the warmth of the flames. Aiden's fingers drummed absently against the polished surface, the rhythmic tapping echoing the turmoil of his thoughts, each beat a reminder of the burdens that weighed heavily on his mind.
“My laird, ye have no’ been yerself since we left Inverness. May I ask what ails ye?” a soft voice broke his fixed concentration. He turned his head to the door. Trey stood in the doorway, concern etched on his face.
“I am contemplating whether I have made the right decision.”
“Ye refer to yer engagement to Lady De LaCroix,” he presumed.
“Mm-hmm,” Aiden mumbled, confirming Trey’s suspicions.
“She is a good choice, my laird.” Trey circled the room to stand beside Aiden to both gaze at the painting. “Are ye still thinking about her? I say ye put it out of yer mind and onto more important things. This woman, real or no’, is of no consequence. Lady De LaCroix is of real flesh and blood. With her, she will help continue our family’s lineage when ye sire an heir. And all will be well.”
Aiden looked again at the painting. He could not explain why it was so hard to let go. It was as if he was grieving and saying goodbye to his closest friend. She would forever be his in his dreams, but in life, she would be only a memory.
“Yer right, cousin. I have sworn an oath and have a duty as laird of this clan. Take this. Put it away. I wish no’ to see it again,” he said, pulling the canvas down from the easel.
“Aye, my laird.”
“Prepare the kitchen for our new guests. I shall be dining in the great hall this evening.”
“It does make me wonder though. The woman ye mentioned that ye conversed wit’ in the garden. Did ye ever find out who she was? Ye seemed quite taken wit’ her.”
“She was just someone who lent an ear.”
Aiden entered the great hall where Bella and her father, Andre, had been briefly entertained by the music the minstrels played. At the sight of his bride-to-be, the warm smile on her face lifted his spirits. She was everything a man could want in a woman. Not only was she beautiful, but he had found himself enjoying their conversation on the dance floor at Inverness. She was articulate and well-spoken and showed interest in art and history, two areas of study in which Aiden excelled. She came with no complication nor desperation. She was simply a young woman seeking to expand her knowledge and provide a warm home for her future husband.
As he stepped further into the room, Bella stood to greet him. Dressed in an ornately fashioned purple gown, she was as lovely as a bouquet of lilacs.
“My laird,” she greeted with a honey-laced accent.
“My lady,” Aiden replied, his voice carrying a hint of formality. He bowed courteously, his eyes studying Bella's graceful figure. Clad in his nobleman's attire, he exuded an air of stoicism, his demeanor concealing the nervousness within him.
Bella's smile, delicate as a budding flower, graced her lips as she motioned for him to join her by the tall, arched window. They settled into two intricately carved wooden chairs, the light of the setting sun streaming in to bathe them in its warm glow. With a soft sigh, Bella clasped her hands together, her gaze fixed upon the lush gardens below.
“My laird,” she began, her voice carrying a trace of uncertainty. I cannot deny the apprehension that fills my heart. If an engagement were to come of this, I would not know what lies ahead.
Aiden’s gaze softened as he turned his attention toward Bella, his eyes gentle and empathetic.
“I share yer sentiments, my lady,” he responded, his voice laced with empathy. “Let us approach this topic wit’ patience and a willingness to understand one another before a hasty decision is made. Come. I want to show ye the grounds.”
Bella, her chestnut-colored locks cascading around her shoulders, met Aiden’s gaze with a mixture of apprehension. Her emerald eyes flickered with the weight of responsibility, yet a spark of anticipation shone beneath the surface. After bundling up in furs and a long woolen cloak, Aiden guided Bella along a winding corridor out to the courtyard. The warm, wintry air was still.
“These grounds have been a part of my family for six generations,” he explained. “Our land reaches as far north as the shores of Moray Firth. And o’er there, those hills in the distance, do ye see them? ‘Tis called Beinn Mhor. The home of the Clan Chattan.”
As the evening sun painted the sky with hues of gold and amber, Aiden and Bella continued their exploration of the castle grounds. He pointed out various features of the estate and shared stories of the castle's rich history. Bella listened attentively; her eyes alight with fascination as she absorbed every detail.
In turn, Aiden listened to Bella tell him about her life in France. He’d never been, but the possibility of meeting her family began to excite him. How she spoke of her chateau and the surrounding landscape was described vividly as if he’d already been there. But besides their shared love for the natural beauty of their surroundings, Aiden discovered they had little in common. They walked silently, unable to converse without running out of things to say.
In a dimly lit chamber within the stone walls of the castle, Bella and Aiden found themselves seated across from each other, their hands clasped in nervous anticipation. Aiden was about to embark on a conversation that would shape the course of their lives—a discussion they’ve both seemingly seemed to skirt around, the topic of marriage. But as Aiden began to speak, his mouth snapped shut, and a moment of silence hung between them. Aiden hesitated as his mind drifted momentarily to the marketplace and the image of the woman in his painting. The feelings she conjured were too hard to bury.
There was no doubt Bella was the most logical choice to marry. Her dowry was more than enough to cover the debt he inherited from his grandfather and enough for the season and the coming winter months. But he didn’t think he’d ever give up his pursuit of looking for her , the woman from his painting. He might be able to fool himself into thinking he could let that memory go, but for his clan, he must.
“I shall arrange wit’ the church to exchange our vows by the end of the week. That should give ye ample time for any preparations ye need,” he informed her.
“Of course, my laird. I will inform my father of your plans,” she replied, her tone maintained a respectful formality, though it lacked warmth and held little emotion.
The distinct sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted Aiden’s attention. He turned to see Trey standing outside the room, leaning slightly against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest and a folded piece of parchment in his hand. The light from the hallway spilled around him, casting a warm glow that highlighted the intent look on his face, urging Aiden to acknowledge his presence.
“Pardon me, my laird, may I have a moment of yer time?” Trey asked as he stepped inside the room.
“Bella, will ye please excuse us?”
“Of course, my laird,” she said, rising from her chair.
Bella slipped past Trey as she exited the room.
“What is it?” Aiden asked.
“Tis a missive. Ye’ve been summoned to Tulloch Castle in Dingwall by Laird Bayne and the other members of the Highland Council.
“When is this summons to take place?” he inquired, furrowing his brow with concern.
“In two days’ time,” Trey informed him.
“Verra, well then,” he said with a sigh, steeling himself for the eventualities that awaited him. “I trust ye will manage affairs here in my absence with due diligence. Additionally, my union wit’ Lady De LaCroix shall be celebrated at Inverness at the end of the week. Please see that all necessary arrangements are made while I am away. I want her belongings delivered to my mother’s chamber and ensure that the staff is well prepared to graciously welcome their new Lady.”