Page 33 of Laird of Steel
“O’ course I wouldn’t spendallmy hours in the specularium,” she said hastily. “I know in the past I’ve been accused o’ bein’ too singleminded in my flora pursuits. But I assure ye once we’re wed, I’ll…make time to be a good wife and mother to—”
“Will you excuse me a moment?”
He didn’t wait for her reply. With a deep breath and clenched fists, he edged past Lady Dearbhorgaill. He marched toward Merraid, who was giggling now at whatever the man had said.
“What’s going on here?” he bellowed, startling them.
The man’s grin instantly disappeared. “N-naught, m’lord.”
“Do you have business with this woman?”
The man blinked in confusion. “Business, m’lord?”
Gellir crossed smug arms over his chest. “Do you have any reason at all for engaging with her?”
“I…I…” he stammered.
He thought not. And he was just about to congratulate himself for coming to Merraid’s rescue when she snarled and gave him a great shove.
He staggered back. “What the…?”
“Ye overweenin’ arse,” she spat. “What are ye tryin’ to do?”
Both men were stunned. Gellir couldn’t even summon up a reply.
“Never mind him, Robbie,” she said to the man. “Go on with your tale.”
But it was clear from the way Robbie was nervously licking his lips, he wasn’t going to go on with his tale. In fact, he was probably going to go home with his tail betwixt his legs. Grim Gellir had that quelling effect on people.
“That’s fine,” Robbie said with an uneasy smile. “’Twasn’t all that interestin’ anyway. I’ll be seein’ ye, Mer-, m’lady.” He gave her a brisk nod and hurried out through the garden gate.
At the slam of the gate, Merraid rounded on Gellir. “What was that all about?”
Gellir straightened. “I might ask you the same thing.”
“And I’d say ’twas none o’ your affair.”
“Is that so?” He narrowed his eyes. “I happen to know how men think. I know what they’re capable of. And I’m not going to stand idly by while a cunning knave takes advantage—”
“Takes advantage?” she said with a bark of a laugh. “Do ye honestly think I’d let a man take advantage o’ me?”
Gellir had tasted firsthand Merraid’s ability to defend herself against attackers. But not all attacks were frontal. Some were insidious. Some came from unexpected quarters. Some came in the form of grinning, handsome youths with silver tongues.
But he couldn’t explain that to her, any more than he could describe why he felt particularly protective where she was concerned.
From behind him, a voice called out, “Is everything all right, Gellir?”
He winced. He’d forgotten about Lady Dearbhorgaill. “Aye, m’lady,” he called back. “Another moment.” Then he turned to Merraid. “You’re…my friend. ’Tis my duty—and my honor—to lend you my protection. Do not ask me to abandon chivalry.”
He gave her a satisfied nod and strode towards Lady Dearbhorgaill, who was clandestinely digging in the dirt. He was sure he’d won the argument until Merraid called out, “And how do ye think ye’ll protect me when ye’re back home, a hundred miles from here?”
He stopped in his tracks. That was something he hadn’t considered. Something he didn’t want to consider.
Lady Dearbhorgaill popped up, her eyes wide. “A hundred miles from here? Is this not your home?”
“’Tis my cousin’s keep. I live in the east, in the Lowlands.”
“The Lowlands.” The lady shuddered. Then she began shaking her head and worrying her hands. “Sweet Mary, that won’t do. T’wont do at all, don’t ye see? The climate is completely different. All my studies have been in the west. Och nay, I don’t see how this can possibly work out.” She continued muttering to herself, finally finishing with a sigh. “I thank ye so much for the lovely morn, m’lord,” she said, coming forward to offer her hand. “But I fear we are incompatible.” She brightened as she thought of a floral comparison. “Like marigolds and cabbage. Perfectly fine plants on their own, but alas…” She shrugged. Then she bustled past him, nodding at Merraid. “So sorry.”
