Page 82 of An Enchanted Spring

Brianagh dropped her head onto the table in despair.

Emma explained the situation, and Nioclas’s face darkened. “My brother is the biggest kind of arse,” he growled. “Apologies, Lady Emma. What he’s set you up for is either a kidnapping or a marriage.”

Emma stood, knocking her stool out from under her knees. “I can’t marry Monaghan. I’m not even staying here for very long.”

Nioclas gave her a steady look. “I wonder how you plan to return, my lady?”

She paused. “Reilly?”

“Perhaps,” Nioclas said slowly.

Emma tried to ignore the uncertainty in his voice.

“Lady Brianagh informsme that we’re handfasted,” Emma said conversationally, as Aidan placed a piece of bread on their shared trencher.

“Don’t worry. We won’tactuallymarry.”

Her heart dropped at his words.

Why not?she found herself thinking.Am I so unlovable, then?Instead, she took a large gulp of wine before adding, “Right. Of course not.”

His mouth settled into a grim line.

“Your brother informs me that I’m now at risk of kidnapping. From Shane Monaghan.”

He raised an eyebrow as he placed more food on the trencher. “Shane? You’re on a first-name basis with the man now?”

“He introduced himself as such, so I suppose we are.”

He shrugged. “He won’t kidnap you.”

“Why not?”

“You’re not worth the risk. Besides, guards sleep outside your door. You’re safe enough.”

Not worth the risk.As irrational as it was, the words stung. She blinked back an unwelcome prick of tears. “Oh.”

Ridiculous, for her to overreact in such a way. She blinked furiously to clear the moisture —no doubt from some bit of dust— from her eyes.

“Aidan,” Nioclas exclaimed, clearly surprised at his bother’s harsh words. “Lady Emma, pay him no heed. I’ve doubled your guards for the duration of your stay, so you are quite safe. Fromeveryone,” he added with a scowl at Aidan.

“Thank you, my laird.”

Bri gave Emma a sympathetic glance, and Emma looked away. Aidan was in a fine temper for some reason, and though he’d made her no promises, he had kissed her a time or two as though he meant it.

There was the Universe again, telling her to steer clear. She should’ve known not to look into his affections too deeply. They’d been through a lot together, but perhaps he lost interest. He did seem to play the role of the white knight who rescued maidens in distress, and with Ben hundreds of years away, she wasn’t in distress anymore.

Or maybe he was reminded of those simple things Brianagh had gone on about, and he realized he wanted something real.

And maybe she wasn’t real relationship material.

“Well, handfasted or not, your first dance of the evening is with the young Monaghan,” Bri declared.

“Like hell it is,” Aidan snapped.

Emma felt her own patience break. “As youjuststated, we’re not really getting married. So it shouldn’t matter to you who I dance with.”

He refused to make eye contact with her. “Fine. Do as you want. I don’t care. I’m just trying to save Bri’s reputation as a matchmaker.”

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