“I hope so, lass,” Greta said, but she sounded doubtful.
“Would ye like some more ale?” Olivia asked, anxious to find a distraction.
She went to fetch fresh drinks for her and Greta when she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“Me Lady, I’d be honored if ye’d have the next dance with me.”
Olivia turned to see Zander smiling at her. “Och, hello, Zander,” she greeted, a little flustered.
She hesitated for a moment, holding the drinks in both hands as she glanced over to where Edan was deep in conversation with Findlay Pearson. At that moment, he looked over at her, and their eyes met. Hope flared in her heart for a moment, then died in the face of his stony look.
She turned her attention back to Zander, returning his smile. “Aye, I’d love to, Zander. Let me just give Greta her drink, and I’ll be with ye.”
Zander accompanied her while she delivered the drinks, quickly reducing the old lady to giggles with his usual playful teasing. His warmth and good humor acted like a tonic on Olivia. Her spirits rose as he led her to the dance floor, where two columns of dancers were rapidly forming for a reel. She saw Eileen further along, with another young man. Red-faced but radiant with excitement, she waved at Olivia, who smiled and waved back, glad to see her sister having so much fun.
She and Zander joined one of the columns, facing each other. As per tradition, Zander bowed gallantly to her, while she bobbed her most elegant curtsey. A bass fiddle struck up a lively tune, and the dance began. Having not danced for a while, she was soon breathless as Zander spun her around, keeping perfect time to the music.
When it was their turn, he grabbed her by the waist and danced her up the center of the column, while the other dancers clapped and cheered them on their way to the top. Elated by the sense of freedom the movement and music gave her, Olivia forgot her worries for a while and threw herself into having fun.
Zander was a good dancer, and he seemed to be enjoying himself as well. So, it was a big shock when halfway through the dance, they reached the top of the column to find Edan standing there. Zander brought them to a sudden halt, both of them short of breath.
“Are ye all right, Edan?” he asked, apparently unconcerned by the interruption.
“That’s me wife ye’re dancin’ with,” Edan replied, staring at Olivia so intently that she started to feel uncomfortable.
“Aye, well spotted, man,” Zander countered, studying Edan’s face curiously.
“Well, ye can take yer hands off her. She should be dancin’ with me,” Edan said.
Olivia could not help noticing he was slightly slurring his words, and his eyes seemed a little dazed. She put it down to drink. It was a party after all, and he was entitled to get a little tipsy if he wished. Yet, there was something off about his behavior apart from the fact that he had ignored her up until then.
The reel continued without her and Zander, and the noise around them was almost deafening as they moved slightly out of the way of the dancers.
“Are ye askin’ her to dance, then?”
“I dinnae have to ask her. She’s me wife. Of course, she wants to dance with me. Eh, Olivia?” His smile made her heart flutter madly, even if his behavior was odd.
Of course, I want to dance with ye. I’ve been waitin’ half the night for ye to ask me!
To her utter astonishment, Edan grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Zander, wrapping his arms around her protectively.
“Are ye all right, Edan? What have ye been drinkin’?” Zander asked, his voice laced with concern.
“Ale. But I’ve only had two tankards, and I havenae finished me second one yet, but ’tis potent stuff all right. Me tankard’s over here somewhere.” Edan gestured loosely towards the tables, not taking his eyes off Olivia as he spoke.
“He can usually hold his ale better than this,” Zander told Olivia quietly. “Edan, ye sure ye havenae had more than two drinks?”
“’Tis a party. Of course, I’ve had a drink or two. But I’m nae drunk,” Edan said, his voice rising and attracting curious looksfrom some guests. He looked down at Olivia fondly. “I just want to dance with me beautiful wife. Look at her, Zander. Is she nae the most beautiful lass ye’ve ever seen?”
“Aye, she is. Ye’re a lucky man. Ye should pay more attention to her,” Zander told him.
It was clear to Olivia that he had noticed something out of the ordinary in Edan’s behavior.
“I’m goin’ to pay her all the attention she deserves, and I dinnae need ye to tell me,” Edan told him. “I’ll be the one to take care of her.” He smiled down at a stunned Olivia, his face relaxed and happy. “Would ye like to dance, Olivia?”
She hesitated for a moment. “I’d love to if Zander willnae think it rude of me.”
18
