Now Audric wasn’t the only one who looked puzzled.
“You see, gentlemen, I require a wife capable of running my household in a calm, efficient manner,” Nicholas explained, “and this will allow me to be certain of my bride’s qualifications in that respect.”
Lord Chesleigh’s eyes lit up, while Percival frowned. D’Anglevoix looked down his aquiline nose as if this was simply beneath his second cousin, and Audric appeared very worried indeed.
“Does anyone have any objections?” Nicholas asked. “If you do and you don’t wish your relative to supervise my kitchen, you are, of course, free to take your leave.” He smiled with his lips and spread his arms. “But I do hope you can understand. I’m a soldier, with little knowledge of domestic matters. My household, and all the expenses it requires, will be completely in my wife’s hands. I wouldn’t want to discover I’d married a woman who couldn’t handle that responsibility.”
“I assure you, Sir Nicholas,” Lord Chesleigh declared, “that Joscelind will prove she’s not only beautiful, she’s very capable of managing a nobleman’s household.”
“Lavinia will prove herself, as well,” D’Anglevoix vowed.
The silent Audric started biting his nails. Nicholas suspected he was envisioning his sister’s chance to marry the lord of Dunkeathe disappearing like so much smoke in a brisk breeze.
“Well,Idon’t think that’s right or just,” Percival huffed. “Your wife won’t be in the kitchen cooking, will she? You’ll be hiring another cook, won’t you?”
“Yes, I will, but as I said, I want to know my bride is capable of ruling my household.”
“If you think your cousin isn’t up to it, Percival,” Lord Chesleigh said, “perhaps you should cut and run before she embarrasses you with her failure.”
“Eleanor won’t fail,” Percival replied angrily. Then he marched out of the room.
Audric bowed and followed him, still without saying a word.
Lord Chesleigh sighed and shook his head and gave Nicholas a sympathetic smile. “Poor Percival is such a hothead,” he said. “And his cousin is even less mature.”
“Lady Eleanor is a pretty girl,” D’Anglevoix noted, “yet prettiness can be no match for experience. Lavinia’s mother was a most excellent chatelaine, and I’m sure Lavinia will be the same.”
“I look forward to having that opinion borne out,” Nicholas said with a polite little bow.
Lord Chesleigh gave D’Anglevoix a patronizing smile. “Yes, we’ll find out how capable she is, won’t we?”
Again, Nicholas had the sensation he was trying to hold off opposing armies—or that such a task would actually be easier. “Now, my lords, if no one has any objections, I have a few other matters of some importance to discuss with my steward.”
“Of course,” Lord Chesleigh said, turning to leave.
D’Anglevoix nodded his farewell, and strolled from the room after Lord Chesleigh.
Robert slowly let his breath out as he came forward. “That went better than I anticipated,” he admitted. “I thought Lord Chesleigh might find the idea of a competition insulting.”
“Not when he’s sure Joscelind will win,” Nicholas replied.
“Ah, my lord, here you are!” a voice proclaimed with a familiar Scots lilt. Fergus Mac Gordon came bustling into the solar, a bundle of indigo-blue wool shot through with scarlet in his hands.
“Is there something I can help you with?” Robert said, moving to intercept the jovial Scotsman.
“Not unless you’re going to plan the wedding,” Fergus Mac Gordon replied, laughing.
He put the bundle down on the table in front of Nicholas, gave it a pat, stepped back, crossed his arms and beamed at the Norman. “There you go. My wedding present to the groom. The finestfeileadhand shirt in Glencleith, except my own. Although I must say, my lord, I thought you’d ask my permission first. Just a formality, of course, but Iamher uncle.”
The Scot winked as if they were sharing a great joke. “There’s no point keeping it a secret.”
Nicholas knew he should tell the man the truth, that Riona would never be his choice, and yet, the words didn’t come. “I fear, sir, that if you or anybody else thinks I’ve made my decision, you’re mistaken.”
The little man stopped smiling. His face fell, and Nicholas nearly squirmed beneath his dismayed gaze. “Then you mean to say it’s like Riona said? She’s only helping for a little while? I thought she was just being modest.”
“All the young ladies are going to be given the same opportunity, as a means for me to determine if they’re capable of running my household.”
“Ah!” the Scot cried, his happiness apparently completely restored. He rubbed his hands together like a man about to tuck into a fine meal. “A test, is it? What a clever fellow you are! But you mark my words, my lord, Riona will win. It won’t even be close. You’ll see. She’s got a way with the servants—aye and the purse strings. She doesn’t think I know just how clever with the coins she is, but she’s kept us in food and drink during some rough winters.” He winked at Robert. “Between your clever steward here and your wife, you’ll wind up a rich and happy man.”
