Page 105 of Come the Morning

“There were many times when I had thought that there was nothing you would like better than to have me leave. You’d have your precious isle back—without me upon it.”

“Fine. Leave.”

“I must go.”

“Fine. Do so.”

“It’s a matter of honor.”

“Of honor! Oh, you bastard, let me by—”

She tried then to drag him from the door; a futile effort. “Mellyora—”

“What? You have to leave, leave. You’re going to your mistress’s home, fine, but get your hands off me!”

He suddenly released her, but didn’t step away from the door. He folded his arms over his chest, watching her, a deep frown furrowed into his brow. “So that’s what you want?” he said softly.

“Aye, now let me by—”

“I am riding to a friend, to avoid what bloodshed I can, because God knows, there is no way to tell the king he shouldn’t invade England. There will be real battles soon enough. Hard-fought battles, and God, but I am sorry to say, he will push so far that we will have little chance for victory. But here, I can see a friend, and change things, but you’re determined that I am on my way to see my mistress, nothing more.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No, I believe you will be delighted to see your old friend Peter, you will laugh, you will drink, you will thump one another on the back, and you will be great warriors, and greater allies of the king! Then you will see your mistress.”

She didn’t have to exit the room. He stared at her another moment in pure fury, then slammed from the room himself.

Igraina had stayed long enough. She lived in one of the cottages on the mainland with Gwyneth, their grandmother, and Lars, their grandfather. The two had raised Ewan and Igraina since their mother’s death at Igraina’s birth, and though Igraina was an exceptionally lovely young woman who’d received numerous marriage proposals, she had determined on caring for her grandparents before accepting any man’s offer. She had, of course, been charmed by Sir Percy, just as Sir Percy hadintended, but she knew as well that as a chieftain’s sister, she had a certain social stature, but not enough to be a wife to such a man, even if his elderly bride were to pass away. Since she did find him very charming, however, she thought she might be better off at home. She often traveled from the isle to the mainland by herself, but that afternoon, the tide was low, and Ewan was anxious to see his family, and so she rode with him to the cottages.

“Do you ride with Waryk?” Igraina asked him. “Or are you left home, to guard the castle—and Laird Lion’s bride?”

“I stay home,” he said carefully.

He felt his sister’s disapproval.

He sighed. “Igraina, I do not lust after the laird’s lady—”

“You’re a liar. She’s my friend as well. You’ve loved her forever. She’s beautiful, willful, passionate—”

“And you’re right, I love her. But you needn’t fear for me. I knew when Adin died that the king would never let her go to me. I’m glad the king chose the man that he did, for God knows, matters might have been much worse!”

Igraina turned to look at him. “Aye, that I can see. He is a fair laird, a fierce defender. He saved me, and I remain grateful. We may have Viking in our blood, but my blood, at least, is settled here, and I’d not be a Viking’s slave. He will hold this land for the king, of that I’m sure. But brother, he is leaving, and I promise you this, Mellyora is upset.”

Ewan looked down at his sister’s tawny head. “Ah, I see. And you think that she will be furious that he’s gone to his mistress, and so she will think to use me against him?”

“She loved you—”

“Aye, sister, she did.”

“You think that she loves you no more?”

“I think that she will always love me, a bit differently, perhaps. And because she loves me, she will never use me.”

“I hope that you are right.”

“Indeed, because I would be so easily seduced to adultery?”