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“I admit, I’ll never understand the mind of a man,” Rionna said with a sigh.
Sarah tsked under her breath. “ ’Tis good you learn that now, lass. ’Tis a foolhardy endeavor to even attempt such. The mind of a man changes on a daily basis and a woman is never sure which way it bends from one moment to the next. ’Tis why ’tis best to allow them to think they are the master of their domain and go quietly behind them and do things the way you like.”
Rionna laughed. “You are a wise woman, Sarah.”
“Having outlived two husbands already, I’ve gained more wisdom about men than a woman needs to know.” She shrugged. “ ’Tis not hard once you’ve learned they’re mostly bluster and gruff. If you can look beyond that and ignore their bite, they’re not hard to live with. You give them a little petting, stroke their pride a bit, and follow it with a kiss here and there, and they’re well content.”
“Aye, I used to think you were right,” Rionna said as she stared into the flames. “But my husband … ’tis disloyal of me to discuss him so, but he drives me daft. One moment he is as tender as a man can be and the next he’s as cold as the winter’s snow.”
Sarah smiled. “Because he’s not yet decided what he thinks of you, lass. You’ve got him so flustered that he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going. He’ll figure it out eventually.”
“How typical that I must wait on him to make his mind up before we can be at peace,” Rionna grumbled.
“ ’Tis hard to soothe a savage beast when you’re here and he’s there,” Sarah pointed out.
“ ’Tis cold and I’m not venturing out,” Rionna grumbled.
“The problem is you’re both as stubborn as an old mule. Neither of you will give an inch. ’Tis no way to make a success of a marriage.”
“If I make a practice of yielding so easily, then I’ll always be yielding and he’ll never bend.”
“Aye, that’s true as well.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?” Rionna asked in exasperation.
Sarah chuckled. “If I knew that, no one would ever be discontent, now would they? I think ’tis something you’ll have to muddle through on your own.”
“Maybe,” Rionna said grudgingly. “But ’tis nothing I’ll discover tonight. I’m tired.”
“And grumpy.”
“With good reason.”
“Go to sleep, lass. Your husband will be looking for you soon enough and you’ll not be getting to sleep then.”
“I’ll not hide from him,” Rionna vowed.
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And what exactly do you call what you’re doing?”
“I’m defying his order.”
“And hiding while you do it,” Sarah said in amusement.
“Nay, I’ll not hide from him. ’Tis high time I discovered why it is he’s angry.”
Rionna stood, her fingers curling into fists.
“You be careful on the walk back, lass. ’Tis snowy and icy out tonight. The good Lord doesn’t seem to be able to decide if he wants it to rain or snow.”
“I’ll be careful, Sarah. Thank you for your company. And your counsel. ’Tis good sometimes to have someone to listen.”
Sarah smiled. “Aye, lass, it is. Go now and make peace with the laird. ’Tis celebrating the two of you should be doing now.”
Rionna said her farewells and hurried through the snow back to the keep. By the time she made it to the steps she was shivering, as a mixture of snow and rain drizzled down her neck.
She went inside, stomping her boots free of the ice and snow, and walked into the great hall to warm herself by the fire before going in search of her husband.
She didn’t have to look far.
He was sitting at the table with Gannon and many of the McDonald warriors. When he saw her, he rose, his eyes narrowed and his lips set into a fine line. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared her down. The man hadn’t even realized she hadn’t obeyed his command to retire to their chamber. Had he planned to starve her to death?
Ignoring his less-than-pleased look, she marched over to the fire and stuck out her hands to warm them, presenting her back to the laird.
The more she gave thought to the matter, the more furious she became. She’d done nothing to gain his ire. And if he wasn’t happy about the babe, ’twas his own fault. He certainly hadn’t done anything to prevent her becoming with child.
When she was sufficiently warmed, she turned without looking in her husband’s direction and walked calmly toward the stairs.
“You sorely try my patience, wife,” Caelen called out.
She halted at that and slowly turned until she pinned him with a glare that hid none of her own mounting ire.
The men stared between their laird and Rionna with ill-disguised curiosity. It didn’t suit Rionna to have it out with Caelen in such a public fashion, but she was just furious enough not to care.
“And you try mine, husband. Perhaps when you’ve figured out what it is that I’ve done to displease you, you can let me know. Until then, I’m going to bed. ’Tis been a most eventful day.”
CHAPTER 25
Rionna was shaking by the time she reached her chamber. It had taken all her courage to calmly walk out of the hall with Caelen’s face a storm cloud of anger. ’Twas wrong of her to show such disrespect in front of the men, but ’twas just as wrong for him to air his grievance with her in front of others.
