Page 85 of Lord of Dunkeathe
One thing above all was certain: if they should have a child together, he would indeed acknowledge it, and be proud to do so.
Marianne gestured at a second chair close to the window. “Apparently in my son’s eyes, I’m much less entertaining than you, so I know exactly how you feel.”
“You’re his mother and he loves you very much,” Nicholas replied as he sat.
“While you’re his brave, amazing uncle who’s won so many tournaments,” she countered as she set aside her spinning. She got a gleam of mischief in her blue eyes that were so like theirlate mother’s. “His brave, amazing uncle who has come to ask something of his sister?”
Nicholas felt himself blush. Now that the time had come to ask her opinion of the women vying for his hand, he felt remarkably foolish and very, very young, even though he was a full ten years older than she. “I wanted to ask your opinion of the remaining ladies.”
“Then it’s true there were more?”
“There were ten originally.”
Marianne’s eyes widened. “Ten? I’m impressed. Not that I doubt you’re considered a fine prize—”
He rose abruptly and strode to the window.
“What’s the matter, Nicholas? Are you upset I called you a ‘prize’?”
“That’s a little disconcerting, yes,” he admitted as he watched Polly stroll across the yard toward the kitchen, a basket of greens in her arms. It seemed she was in no great rush to complete her task.
“And now you know a little of how I felt when you betrothed me to Hamish Mac Glogan.”
Nicholas faced his sister and apologized again. “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you and paid heed to your wishes.”
He returned to his chair, determined to sit still if it killed him and not display any hint of emotional disturbance or worry. “I’llgladly listen to you now, if you’ll tell me what you think of the ladies who’ve come to be my bride.”
Marianne rocked the cradle with her foot a few more times before she answered. “Lady Joscelind is very beautiful and her father is important at Henry’s court, I hear.”
He nodded. “Very important, or so our brother says, and she seems most keen to have me. The idea of having Lord Chesleigh for a father-in-law isn’t a welcome one, but the man does have influence at court, and the dowry should be considerable.”
“Henry would know about Lord Chesleigh’s power at court,” Marianne confirmed. She slid Nicholas a questioning glance. “I thought Henry might still be here. It must have been urgent business that called him away so soon after he arrived.”
Nicholas didn’t answer. His relationship with his brother had never been an easy one, and Marianne knew that better than anyone.
She sighed wearily. “One of these days, Nicholas, you’re going to have to treat Henry with more respect. He’s a grown man, and well regarded in England.”
“When he treats me with the respect I deserve, I’ll consider it.”
“I should never try to play the peacemaker,” Marianne replied as she rocked the cradle again, the corners of her mouth turned down in a frown. “You never listen to me.”
“I may not listen when the subject is Henry, but I really do want to hear your opinion of my potential brides.”
She tilted her head to study his face. “That sounds sincere.”
“It is. You know I’ve little experience with women—ladies,” he amended. “I’ve spent most of my time training or fighting in battles and tournaments.”
“So you require a woman’s opinion. I understand.”
A woman who isn’t Riona,he silently added.
Marianne folded her hands in her lap. “Lady Lavinia appears to be a nice, quiet young woman.”
“Yes, she is.”
“But I fear she has her eye elsewhere.”
Nicholas nodded. “Audric.”
