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Chapter 10

It was only when the hall began to fill again that Terric realized how much time had passed.

He rarely, if ever, spent a day away from training, but Lance had convinced him to boost the men’s morale by giving them a rest. To be fair, the snow was falling in earnest.

When he’d first spied Lady Roysa at the chess table, Terric had very nearly turned away. He’d much prefer to swing a sword, even in the snow, than to converse with his guest’s sister. Even if she had been nothing but pleasant earlier. But Lance had pushed him forward, urging him to let bygones be bygones, and he’d agreed to at least put forward a civil greeting.

Then something had compelled him to sit with her.

Maybe it was the way she looked at Idalia, so unlike how she looked at him. No one could question the love and warmth in her eyes. It suggested there was more to her than he’d thought. It suggested—nay, it confirmed—he’d been harsh in his judgment of her. His mother and sister both would have words for his rudeness. His prejudice had sprung from his dealings with Isobel—a woman who had captivated him despite her finery and pretty manners. Her excesses had made him think of Isobel’s taste for finery. For her desire to nab the clan chief for her very own. Even still, he had fallen for her.

The price of her treachery etched onto his very soul.

But there was more to Lady Roysa than her taste for pretty gowns, more too than the occasional sharp tongue she’d wielded against him. Watching her with her sister, the two of them regarding each other with such love and mutual affection, had stirred something in him.

Nay, not something.

He’d actually grown hard in the middle of the damned hall as he watched Roysa’s full lips part, as he watched her smile and laugh. He could admit now, some time later, that sitting down with her had been the only good decision he’d made of late.

“You’re still here?” Lance made little attempt to hide his shock.

Terric gestured for him to sit in the empty chair opposite Roysa. “Join us.”

If his friend was surprised, he had good reason to be. Terric rarely drank as much as he had this afternoon, and besides, he’d made it abundantly clear what he thought of Idalia’s sister. He could admit his faults, however, and one of them had been assuming the worst of Idalia’s sister.

“I assume Terric does not typically dally in such a manner?” Roysa asked with some amusement.

Lance continue to appear bewildered.

“Nay. Never.”

She sat forward, as if interested. “Why?”

Before Lance could answer, Terric asked, “Where is Idalia?”

They’d known each other for long enough that he did not expressly need to ask his friend to change the topic. Lance understood his meaning. He told them of the conversation they’d had with the cook and his desire to attempt a mutton pie. Idalia had always taken an interest in the foods being served at Stanton, and she was apparently still in the kitchen, where they’d spent much of the afternoon.

“In the kitchen?” Terric could not resist teasing his friend. This was the same man who’d once hardly known the light of day. So dedicated was he to his craft, he’d all but slept in the smithy before meeting Idalia. Spending the day in the kitchens was not typical behavior for Lance, any more so than Terric spending the day in front of a fire.

Drinking fine French wine.

With a beautiful woman.

Aye, it would seem neither of them were themselves today.

“This is what the blasted weather is doing to us.”

“Said like a man who’s spent his life wielding a sword and ordering others about.” Roysa wiggled in her seat. Terric tore his gaze away from the deep vee of her gown.

“I take it you’ve experience with such men,” he answered dryly.

“My father despises the winter months. Much like you. Though my husband did not seem to be afflicted with such a distaste for shortened training hours.”

“I don’t despise them. But this winter has been rather harsh. We’ve much to accomplish before the weather changes.”

Roysa cocked her head to the side. “’Tis strange. Lord Ulster said nearly that exact same thing. That it has been a particularly harsh winter.”

Terric froze at the name. Lance did the same.