Page 86 of An Enchanted Spring

Aidan sighed. “I’ve changed, Nick. Romance isn’t as important as the facts right now. She thinks she understands our time—but she doesn’t, not really. If I don’t marry her, she’ll end up dragged to the altar against her will and I’ll have to go kill someone to rescue her.”

“No one will drag her anywhere. She’s under my protection.”

“She’s undermy protection,” he growled.

Nick stared at him. “You forget yourself, MacWilliam. ’Tis my clan. Not yours.”

“Oh? And what if Monaghan decides that you’re not that much of a threat after all? Or if he decides to carry her away into the night? Once he forces her to marry him, you’ll have to get approval from the clan council to go to war for her. You know they’ll never agree to it, not for a lady who was under your protection for less time than it takes to blink.” Aidan flexed his hands, wishing he had something to punch. “Do you expect the clan to go to war for someone who has absolutely no impact on their lives, except for a bit of grief the lady of the castle might suffer?”

Nioclas looked as though he wanted to argue the point, but he blew out his breath. “Perhaps not,” he admitted.

“Of course not. Do you not realize I’ve thought all this through?” Aidan asked, angry. “Because I have, in greatdepth. I’ve got a man after Emma’s head in the future, and quite a few men after her skirt right now. There’s no choicebutto show my hand.”

“And acting like an arse was the way to do so?” Nioclas replied incredulously.

Aidan sighed heavily. “Nay. I vow, I’ve no idea what came over me.”

“Jealousy.” Nioclas rubbed his hand over his face. “Couldn’t you have at least given the lass some sort of proposal that would make her more amenable to your suit?”

“I had hoped to, but then I lost my head a bit. O’Malley wouldn’t stop with his incessant chatter, Monaghan came rushing to Emma’s aid, and I saw how those men were staring at her during dinner. I don’t regret the action,” Aidan replied wearily. “I’ll make it up to her later. I’ll have the rest of our lives, after all.”

“If she accepts you,” Nioclas reminded him. “I’m in earnest, Aidan. I’ve never forced anyone to marry another. I don’t intend to start now.”

Aidan spun around. “Are you in jest, or did you imbibe too much at supper tonight, Nick? I’m yourbrother!”

Nioclas shook his head firmly. “I do not force marriages. You must woo her on your own, and she must go to the altar willingly.”

“She’ll go willingly,” Aidan growled.

“Oh, aye, that’s convincing,” Nioclas retorted. “She seemed so very amenable to you at dinner tonight.”

“She wants me,” Aidan retorted. “She’s just scared.”

“If you stopped growling like a wounded beast, perhaps you could show her some of your legendary charm,” Nioclas suggested.

“Not that it’s any of your concern—” Aidan started.

“Oh, brother mine, your happiness is my utmost concern,” Nioclas protested with a smirk.

“—but Emmahasseen my more charming self.”

“Yet she vowed never to have you.”

“She’s had a rough time lately,” Aidan growled, “and Ihadplanned to give her time to work through her concerns.”

Nioclas rolled his eyes. “It didn’t seem as though your Lady Emma was as susceptible to your charms as you might think.”

“Oh, she’s susceptible,” Aidan snapped.

Nioclas finally released his laughter. Aidan crossed his arms, staring at him in exasperation.

“The Aidan of yore had females falling at his feet. By the saints, you had lasses claiming you’d been in their beds just for the chance at the glory of it all! Yet here you are, insulting a woman, thinking your past actions would win her heart. Forgive me if I find the situation more than amusing.”

“I have never seen you laugh so hard before,” Aidan observed dryly. He smiled in spite of himself. “’Tis a wonder to see you so happy, after so many years of melancholy.”

“A good woman does that to a man,” Nioclas replied seriously. “Truly, I am fortunate. And I’d like nothing better than for your own fortune to be as strong as mine.”

“It will be,” Aidan replied with a confidence he didn’t feel.

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