Edan loved the smile that curved his wife’s lips as she answered with a tinge of pride, “Aye, ’tis a present from Edan. He brought it for me today at the market.”
His grandmother smiled approvingly at him and nodded. “’Tis lovely, dear, and it suits ye, for it’s so sweet and delicate like yerself.”
Olivia laughed. “I’m nae sure about that! But I love it just the same.”
Hearing her gratifying words, Edan’s heart did a somersault in his chest, setting off alarm bells in his head.
I shouldnae be feelin’ like this.I shouldnae be lettin’ her get under me skin.
Yet, when she let the little charm fall between her breasts as she picked up her wine goblet and drank from it, he could not help wishing he could take its place. The war going on inside him was interrupted by his best friend’s voice.
“Ye say Edan brought it for ye as a present, Lady Aberfeld?” Zander piped up, staring between Olivia’s breasts.
“Aye, he did,” she said, smiling at him.
Edan felt the urge to punch him for looking at his wife’s chest like that.
“That’s a first, then. He’s usually a tight-fisted bastard when it comes to buyin’ presents. The only lady I’ve kenned him to buy anythin’ for is Lady Greta,” Zander said jokingly.
Shut yer face, ye fool! What are ye tryin’ to do?
Edan glared at his friend, suddenly caring very much that Olivia did not believe Zander’s claim. But then he realized how dangerous it was to feel that way.
What am I doin’?I should let him run me down. It’ll put her off me and make it easier to resist her.Ach, what a fool I was to buy her that necklace!All I’ve done is encourage her and make everything harder for meself.
Predictably, his annoyance only made Zander grin wider.
“In that case, ’tis all the more precious to me,” Olivia replied, her tone a little tart as she smiled back at Zander.
Despite everything he kept telling himself, Edan found himself smiling too, unable to resist the frisson of pleasure he felt at her willingness to defend him.
Before he could stop himself, he gave his mischievous friend a sarcastic smile and raised his tankard of ale in his direction. Zander laughed, clearly enjoying himself.
Greta laughed too. “That told ye, Zander. Dinnae try to sow discord between the married folk now. It’ll be yer turn soon enough, I expect, and ye could do worse than takin’ a leaf out of me grandson’s book.”
Ach, God, now she’s holdin’ me up as a paragon of husbandly virtue. That’s nae what’s needed at all!
“Never! I’ve given up all hope of findin’ a wife ever since ye turned me down,” Zander was telling her, accompanying his words with a cheeky wink.
The old lady cackled with pleasure, Olivia giggled, and despite his confusion, even Edan could not help chuckling.
When supper was over, he made sure to put on his reserved mask as he escorted Olivia and his grandmother to the latter’s bedchamber. He kissed his grandmother goodnight, intending to go straight to his bed. But for some unfathomable reason,he found himself kicking his heels in the hall instead, waiting impatiently for Olivia to come out again. When he had discovered she did it every night, he had unsuccessfully tried not to admire her for it.
Why does she have to be so perfect?
“Och, have ye been waitin’ for me all this time?” she asked when she emerged into the hall, looking surprised to see him. “Did ye want to speak to me about somethin’?”
“Nay. I thought I’d escort ye to yer chambers, ’tis all,” he said gruffly, unable to explain to himself what he was doing there.
A small, adorable line appeared between her delicate eyebrows. “But ’tis only just down the stairs,” she pointed out.
Before he knew what he was saying, he blurted out, “So? Is a husband nae allowed to escort his lady wife if he so wishes?”
She looked a little flustered, but he could tell from the way she dipped her eyes and gave a small smile that she was pleased.
The gratification he felt at being responsible for it sent a wave of pleasure through him. Simultaneously, the voice in his head was shouting,What are ye doin’? Ye shouldnae even be here. Ye’re just makin’ it worse for yerself!
“Well, that is thoughtful of ye. If I happen to trip over me feet on the way there, ’tis nice to think ye’ll be there to save me,” she said humorously, linking their arms.
