Page 70 of Laird of Steel
As for Merraid, she’d love Gellir, whether he was bloody from battle, sweaty from labor, or covered in pig slop.
But changing Carenza’s heart would take all the tools at her disposal. Still, a bucket of water was at least a good start.
“Give her time,” she said. “She’ll come around.”
“To what end?” he scoffed. “’Tis as I’ve always said. Marriage is only a single move in a game of draughts.”
He was absolutely wrong about that. Laird Dougal wouldn’t be a heroic warrior without Lady Feiyan. Gellir’s own father, Pagan, wouldn’t be the man he was without his formidable wife, Deirdre. Indeed, in all the neighboring clans, the lairds who’d taken good wives prospered, while those wedded to nags faltered and failed. A man’s wife could make or break him.
“I spent some time with her,” Merraid said.
“And?”
“She’s…” She rolled her eyes. “Perfect.”
He chuckled. “I doubt that.”
“She’s everythin’ Hew said she was. Kind. Courteous. Bright.” She frowned. “She hasn’t got a mark on her. No scars. No blemishes.”
“Shite, lass. Did you open her mouth and take a good look at her teeth as well?” he mocked, shaking his head.
“Teeth?” she teased. “Well, thereisthat. The womanhasno teeth.”
“Out of my way,” he ordered, heading across the courtyard with the bucket.
As they slogged toward the armory, Merraid confided, “I think she’s a wee bit afraid o’ ye.”
He grunted. “She wouldn’t be the first maid to quiver in the presence of Grim Gellir.”
“But ye can be disarmin’, even charmin’, when ye want to be.”
“I’ve already vowed to wed her. What’s the point of charming her?”
She grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Ye’re not even goin’ to try?”
“We’re going to be married. Forever. I don’t think she’s going to be afraid of me all her life.” He jerked his arm away and resumed walking.
Peeved, she caught up with him. Seizing his arm in a more forceful grip, she hissed, “Shame on ye, Gellir Cameliard. She’s weddin’ a man she only knows by his fierce reputation. And she’s tryin’ to be brave. Surrounded by strangers. Not knowin’ her future or the land she’s goin’ to. The least ye can do is put her at ease.”
She wasn’t afraid of his scorching glare. She mirrored it back at him until he lowered his gaze.
“Fine,” he bit out. “At supper, I’ll make every effort to…disarm and charm her.”
She nodded in approval.
Then he added, “But prepare to be disappointed. I doubt she wanted this alliance any more than I did.”
“Fair enough.”
That was what shesaid.What shethoughtwas Gellir was oblivious to the force of his charm. One wink of his eye, a touch of his hand, the music of his laughter, and Carenza would fall under his power like a pup having its belly rubbed.
Unfortunately, Carenza never came to supper. She claimed to feel unwell and remained in her chamber.
Gellir presumed her illness was due to nerves. Lady Feiyan claimed it was his fault for frightening the lass. Which only furrowed his brow further and made his mood more morose.
Finally the glowering cousins parted. Supper was cleared away. Merraid took it upon herself to carry a trencher of thin pottage up to Carenza.
Entering the chamber, she expected to find Carenza looking as lovely as ever. Perhaps suffering from a mild case of anxiety.
