Nicholas cursed himself for being so obviously distracted. This woman was the sort he’d most hoped would come to Dunkeathe, and he was ignoring her. “Forgive me,” he said with a little bow as they turned again. “I fear I’ve spent too much time among soldiers to be pleasant company for ladies.”
“Some men prattle on with nothing at all to say, while a wise man has little need to speak,” she replied. “Your accomplishments speak for you.”
“As do yours, my lady.”
She blushed and lowered her eyelids again, her lashes fanning on her soft cheeks. Her lips were full and ruby-red, her body shapely, her features lovely—and yet she stirred him not at all.
Nevertheless, mindful of his need to marry well, he commenced uttering flattering nothings as they danced. He was no smooth-tongued courtier, but he’d known a few knights who were notable for their abilities to woo women, and he’d learned a thing or two along the way.
Whether Lady Joscelind found him sincere or not, he couldn’t tell, but she didn’t give any sign that she suspected he wasn’t, and when the dance ended, she gave him a glorious smile that he should have been thrilled to see.
As she eagerly slipped her arm through his to allow him to lead her back to her father, he reminded himself again how much he needed to marry a woman of her family’s wealth and status.
They were not yet to the dais when Sir Percival hurried up to them, followed by his cousin. Lady Eleanor’s eyes held the sort of grimly determined expression Nicholas had seen on the face of men encountering a much better armed opponent in battle.
“Dancing, eh, my lord?” Percival said cheerily. “Wonderful. Eleanor’s an excellent dancer.”
Lord Chesleigh frowned at Percival, who blatantly ignored him, while Lady Joscelind held Nicholas’s arm a little tighter.
Lord Chesleigh might not be pleased but, Nicholas thought, he could hardly be faulted for dancing with the other ladies untilhis choice was made. “I shall be delighted if she will dance the next with me.”
After Lady Joscelind reluctantly released her hold, Lady Eleanor put her trembling hand in his to be led into the square of couples forming for the dance.
Her trembling was nothing like the way Riona trembled when he touched her. This was fear, not desire.
“I’m not going to bite you, my lady,” he said, attempting to put the girl at ease. She only flushed and still didn’t meet his gaze.
The dance began, and as he circled her, he contemplated what it would be like to wed her. According to Robert, her family’s wealth was at least as great as Lord Chesleigh’s, and there were relatives besides the vain Percival who were not without influence at court.
Lady Eleanor wasn’t as beautiful as Joscelind, but she was pretty. And she’d probably never dare to complain, or contradict him. She’d surely never refuse to do her duty in his bed. She’d be a very meek, dutiful and submissive wife.
He didn’t want a wife who was dutifully submissive. He wanted a woman who desired him, who would speak to him with confidence, whose eyes shone with vivacious life, who kissed with passion and fire, leaning into him as if she would make love with him standing there….
The dance brought him face-to-face with Eleanor. “I hope you’re enjoying your time in Dunkeathe,” he offered.
“Yes, my lord,” she answered, giving him a smile that was falsely bright, for her eyes were far too worried to suggest happiness.
“I’m honored to have you here.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
It was like trying to tug the words out of her. “I noticed your maidservant isn’t here,” he said, trying to think of some subject that would break through that wall of frightened reserve. “I trust she’s not unwell.”
Eleanor finally looked him directly in the eye. “She was quite well this afternoon.”
“The Scots thane seems very taken with her.”
If it were any other nobleman, he would have suspected the man of nefarious designs of the sort Riona had suggested. Somehow, though, it was impossible to ascribe any such motive to the jovial little Scot. Nevertheless, itwaspossible, and as host, he had a responsibility to ensure that his guests and their retainers were not mistreated or exploited. “He doesn’t strike me as a man to toy with a woman’s affections but—”
Eleanor stepped on the hem of her gown and nearly tripped. He reached out to steady her, and when he did, she looked up at him in a way that was akin to panic. “Fredella assures me he’s behaved with nothing but the utmost respect.”
Why was she so frightened? He was only expressing some concern for her maidservant. “Forgive me for upsetting you, my lady. If you are confident she’s in no danger, then I will be, too,”he said, smiling at her again in an attempt to erase that terrified look on her face. “I will have no women taken advantage of in my castle.”
“Y-you didn’t upset me, my lord,” she stammered, darting a nervous glance at her cousin, who was watching her as a jailer might his prisoner.
It could be that her fear had less to do with him than Percival. “Does your cousin treat you well, my lady?”
When she didn’t speak, her silence answered him. “Perhaps I should have a few words with him.”
