Aria walked up to stand in front of his desk. “You love her, yes?”
“More than anything in this world.”
“Then why in the hell haven’t you married her?”
He scowled. “I don’t like to be questioned, Aria, but I’ve asked her a few times, and she always says no.”
“And that’s stopped you?” Aria asked and raised a brow.
“Only because she starts crying,” Alastair said.
“Would you like to know why she says no?”
His eyes narrowed on her. “Yes.”
“She doesn’t think she’s good enough to be your wife.”
He growled. “Where the fuck did she get that stupid idea?”
“I think it’s a lot of little things, but the longer this goes on, the further she gets from you.”
“I’ll never let her go.”
“You might not have a choice, Alastair. I’ve got to be honest. I’ve given her a bedroom of her own in my house, and she knows to come to me if she’s ready to leave you.” Aria gritted her teeth when Alastair stood suddenly. From the look on his face, she knew this was the closest she’d ever been to dying, but she wouldn’t back down.
Alastair finally spun around and looked out his window. He was quiet for a long time, and she waited.
“What do you expect me to do?” he asked without turning around.
“I think you should surprise her and just marry her.”
He snorted and turned. “And how will I do that without her knowing?”
“We tell your father, a few of your brothers, and my daughters to set up a wedding. She won’t know about it until she walks down the aisle to you.”
He stared at her. “You think we can pull it off?”
“I know we can.”
“What do I need to do?”
“Have your tux clean and pressed and her wedding ring ready.”
He nodded. “I already do. I’ve had the ring since a month after she moved in.”
Aria smiled. The man did love her. He was just an idiot like all the others. There was no way she’d say that to his face.
“Let’s call it a family dinner just in case she gets wind of something being planned. I bet your dad and Graham can set it up like they did the others.”
“When?”
“How soon do you think they can make this happen?” she asked.
“Give us five days. I’ll talk to my family and the kitchen. You take care of the flowers and dress.”
“We can do this.”
“I hope we’re not making a mistake,” he said and wiped a hand down his face.