Page 16 of The Irresistible Warrior
“I appreciate how much you are trying to make this easier for me. It is very thoughtful of you,” she said with a warm smile. “How long before we wed?”
“As soon as the cleric can get here. Hamish is seeing to the arrangements. A day or two, no more. That gives you time to settle in—” he turned a smile on her— “and to take a breath or two.”
She chuckled softly, while trying to avoid the flutter in her stomach. His smile could devastate. “I could use a few of those, things have happened so fast.” And to keep herself rooted in sanity, she said, though it was more of a reminder, “Besides, I never wanted to marry.”
“Why?” Declan asked, her remark catching him by surprise.
The answer was an easy one. “I never wanted to lose me, to disappear.”
He looked at her, puzzled. “How would marriage do that to you?”
Aura shrugged. “It seems the way of things. A woman marries, and people stop seeing her. She becomes a title, so and so’s wife, a shadow beside her husband.”
He considered that. “I have seen that happen. But I have also seen the opposite. A woman who stood beside a man, not behind him.”
She arched a brow. “You’ve known many strong women, then?”
“Strong women tend to leave an impression.” He gave a soft chuckle. “Or a scar.”
Aura smiled faintly. “Have you been left scarred or have you left scars?”
“The latter and I don’t say that with pride,” he said. “But what about you? Has some man scarred you so badly that you prefer living alone in the woods? Have you no family to share a home with?”
“I learned early that not many men are interested in a plain woman or men, for that matter, who believe you should be grateful that they glanced your way. I turned my interest elsewhere and found more comfort in trees, plants, and roots than men. As far as family—” She rolled her eyes. “My mum can be quite overbearing, so I made the choice to go off on my own when I reached a certain age.”
“That’s not something a woman usually does.” Though he couldn’t help, yet again, to admire her courage. “How did your father feel about that? Doesn’t he worry about you being on your own?”
“He’s there to help whenever needed.”
“Perhaps I should speak with him about our marriage?”
Aura shook her head. “It is not necessary since it is not a true marriage. Besides, he is away at the moment, and it would take time for a message to reach him and for him to journey here. And we need to wed soon. So, what happens after the wedding?”
That she changed the subject signaled to him that she would say no more about her family. However, he was glad he learneda bit about her. She felt less like a stranger to him and that was good since she would soon be his wife.
“We live as husband and wife for all to see, while we search for the witch, or any trace of her and a way to break this wish or curse, whatever it is. You keep to your garden, and I see to my duties. We pretend that our marriage is real and all is well.”
She gave him a sideways glance. “You think pretending will be enough to keep women away? Or do you think they will try to gain your attention regardless that you are wed.”
He shook his head. “Good, Lord, I hope it is enough.”
She let out a soft sound, not quite a laugh, but not so far from it either.
The cart hit a rut, jostling them. Her shoulder bumped lightly against his arm. He didn’t pull away and neither did she.
“Convenience,” he said again, more gently now.
Aura nodded. “Aye, convenience.”
But even she felt a slight difference, like a thread pulling tight, binding two people not just by necessity… but by something beginning to root.
The cart rattledthrough the village just past midday, greeted by the curious eyes of villagers peeking from doorways and partially open windows. Declan remained stone-faced as he guided Aura past the murmurs and lingering stares. She kept her chin up, hands folded in her lap, giving no one the satisfaction of seeing anything other than a content woman.
They didn’t stop at the main doors of the keep as she expected. Instead, the cart turned down a narrow, curling path.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“I wanted to show you something before you’re overrun with curious stares and ceremonial questions,” Declan said, nodding ahead.
