She stilled at that, the lightness between them easing into something more grounded.
“A daughter,” he continued, his hand resting lightly at her waist. “And a bride who doesnae flee at first light. I would say the debt has been well settled.”
Her expression shifted then, the humor fading into something quieter, something that held both warmth and hesitation. He watched it carefully, noting the way her fingers curled slightly against the fabric between them.
“That is… a generous accounting,” she said.
“I am glad ye agree with me.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The quiet of the chamber settled around them again, though it felt different now, filled rather than empty.
His hand moved once more, this time more deliberately, tracing along her side before settling at the small of her back, drawing her just slightly closer. He did not rush the motion. He gave her time to resist if she chose to.
She did not.
Instead, she shifted toward him, her breath soft against his throat as her hand came to rest more firmly against his chest.
He lowered his head again, pressing another kiss to her temple, then to her cheek, slower now, more certain in the intent behind each touch.
“Ye blush as though we are strangers,” he murmured.
“It isnae for ye, it is just…thisis all foreign to us,” she replied, though her voice remained quiet.
“Nae anymore, lass,” he said.
His lips brushed along the line of her jaw, lingering just long enough to draw a faint breath from her before he pulled back slightly to look at her again.
“And yet ye look at me as though ye are unsure what to do with me.”
She hesitated, then gave the smallest of smiles.
“Well— perhaps I am,” she said.
That answer seemed to please him more than any practiced reply might have.
“Then I suppose I shall need to give ye lessons,” he said.
“Aye,” she replied softly. “Or just time to learn.”
“I can do whichever ye wish, lass. Only ye just say the word.”
“Time then, please.”
Please.The word lingered in the silence between them.
He watched her a moment longer, committing the look of her to memory in a way he did not question. Then, though it cost him more than he expected, he drew in a breath and shifted slightly, as though preparing at last to rise.
“Very good, ye will have it,” he said cheerfully, but the weight of the hand that had not yet left her grew heavier.
Her gaze flickered toward the door, then back to him.
“Go on then,” she agreed. “I refuse to be the reason for such delay.”
Iona propped herself upon one elbow, her hair loose and falling forward as she studied him with a softness that did not quite hide the concern beneath it.
He held her gaze for a moment.She is quite gorgeous in this light.
“There is a day waiting beyond that door, lass, and I have kept it so for far too long,” he said reluctantly.