Page 85 of An Enchanted Spring

Nioclas stood and the hall quieted. He spoke in Gaelic, and the crowd broke out in cheers.

“Nioclas just announced that Aidan would be showing his prowess in the lists tomorrow, using the joust as his combat of choice,” Bri translated, squatting down next to Emma’s chair. Hands shot up, and Aidan sat back, crossing his arms with adeadly expression on his face, as men made their way to their table to have speech with him and declare their place in line for the morning’s activities.

“And those men are going to challenge him for your hand.”

“What?!” she nearly shrieked, then remembered herself. After determining no one was paying much attention to her at the moment, she hissed, “No!”

“Look at the bright side,” Bri offered. “Now that Aidan’s declared he wants you as his wife, Shane won’t. He’ll be expected to participate, as most of the eligible men will, but if he does it halfheartedly, the match with Brigit can be saved.”

Emma blinked. “I don’t think I understand your social rules as much as I thought I did.”

“They’re way more complicated than what is written,” Bri agreed. “But trust me. This fixes everything.”

“Except the whole me getting married part,” Emma replied flatly.

“Oh. Right.” Bri chewed her lip.

“I changed my mind,” she said loudly enough for Reilly to hear. “I do want to go back.”

“Fickle female.”

In that moment, Emma hated Aidan MacWilliam. She didn’t want to be a prize. She didn’t want to be bartered for. She didn’t want to owe anyone anything, ever.

Surely the laird of the castle wouldn’t force her to wed someone she didn’t know. She hoped, anyway.

She also hoped that Reilly would be able to return her to the future sooner rather than later.

Chapter 16

“You are the biggest kind of fool.”

Aidan wanted to ignore his brother, but he knew it would be pointless. “I won’t argue the fact.”

“By the time you’re done tomorrow, your arms will fall off from exhaustion,” Nioclas continued in disgust. “Is she truly worth this?”

Aidan nodded.

“And you want this?”

“Aye.”

“Said with such certainty,” Nioclas mocked. “You understand that if Monaghan decides he wants her, you’ll have to fight him truly?”

“Aye.”

“Is that all you’re capable of saying?” Frustrated, Nioclas threw his hands in the air. “I vow, Aidan, you would try the patience of a saint!”

“I spoke with O’Malley earlier,” Aidan said heavily. “He isn’t certain he can get her back to the future.”

“You took a calculated risk in coming back,” Nioclas replied, “and it didn’t work out. So now she’s to remain here,as are you, and you think marriage is the only option for her?”

“It’s her only solution,” Aidan replied grimly.

“Oh, just what every woman wishes to hear from her lover,” Nioclas snapped. “Your behavior at supper was abhorrent. Your speech to her was unkind; she wants nothing to do with you!”

“I lost my temper,” he admitted. “I’ll apologize to her after we wed.”

“Your lack of romance insults our clan,” Nioclas spat. “I will not force her to marry you.”

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