Page 65 of Anice’s Bargain

He tapped his finger on the stone sill and stared at the several options facing him. He could confront his da, but that ran the risk of his father making good on his promise to destroy the newly farmed land. Doubtless, the half of their clan in the Debatable Lands would leap at the opportunity. James could confide in Anice, except that if she told her family, they would have another war on their hands, and he was heartily done with war.

Or he could play into his father’s hands, pretend to aid him when really, he intended to thwart the old man’s efforts. Aye, this way, no one got hurt and everyone stayed safe.

The only one at risk would be James.

* * *

Anice suspectedsomething was amiss with James. He was always an attentive husband, but the prior two days, he had been distracted and forgetful.

She pointed to a pot of balm, the one tinted a soft red, for Ingrith to use in application. The young woman had learned quickly with her tasks and had become a far better lady’s maid than any of Anice’s sisters. The very thought of her sisters still knocked hard at her tender heart.

She shoved away the image of them that threatened to rise. It was far easier to stuff the hurt of missing them into a dark corner of her mind rather than give in to its suffocating ache. Thus far, setting herself to other tasks had been successful.

Ingrith lightly touched the balm and rubbed a perfect amount on Anice’s cheeks with her soothing, cool fingers. Just enough to give her a hint of a flushed appearance.

“You’re so lovely, my lady.” Ingrith’s praise was given with apparent pride. “Everyone says Mr. Graham is by far the luckiest man in all six of the Marches.”

Anice’s cheeks warmed with a genuine blush. “That is kind of you to say, Ingrith.” She bit her lip, debating whether to confide in her new maid or not. “I confess I fear he has been acting strange of late. It’s why I asked you to apply the rouge to my cheeks.”

She forced herself not to squirm in her seat after the foolish admission. In hindsight, she ought to have kept her words to herself. But she’d been so long without a confidante, other than James. It threatened to drag her back into the pit of loneliness once more.

No doubt the color she’d had Ingrith add to her cheeks was just as foolish of an idea. In the time of their engagement and now through the first month of their marriage, James had never once told her she was beautiful. She knew he found her comely. His ministrations at night, the way his mouth and hands drew toward her as soon as the door to her chambers was closed and how he stayed with her through the night. All his actions bespoke of strong attraction.

He did praise her. For her skills in managing the castle, her fighting abilities as she instructed the ladies of Caldrick how to protect themselves, the ease with which she’d overseen the ploughing and planting. He noticed every small thing about her.

Except her appearance.

James was perhaps the only man in her life to have not praised her beauty, and he was the only man she’d ever wanted to impress.

“The people of the village have been acting a bit off as well, my lady.” Ingrith’s words broke into Anice’s thoughts. “Only the Grahams, if you pardon my saying as much.”

Anice tilted her head in consideration. “Only the Grahams,” she murmured, more to herself than to Ingrith.

Ingrith shifted her attention to Anice’s hair, smoothing and weaving the long blonde locks into a plait to coil atop her head. “I hadn’t thought to mention it to you. But after you’d said as much about Mr. Graham, I thought it best to make you aware of my observations.”

“I’m grateful you did.” Anice smiled at her through the small mirror. “I have a suspicion they may be all linked.”

“I will inform you if I hear anything, my lady.” Ingrith carefully laid a gauzy veil over Anice’s hair and secured it into place with a gold circlet.

“Thank you, Ingrith.” Anice studied her reflection.

Life in Carlisle had been kind to her. She’d gained back the weight lost during the siege and radiated with good health. Between that and Ingrith’s newly discovered skills, Anice was more attractive than ever. Mayhap enough to encourage a compliment from her husband.

“You will be all right with Piquette?” Anice asked.

Finding himself the source of discussion, the large dog lifted his head, his brow furrowed as he listened intently for his favorite words: walk, come, food, good boy.

“Aye, my lady.” Ingrith winked at Piquette. “We’ll find a sweetmeat, won’t we?”

Piquette cocked his head and lifted his ears.

“Thank you.” Anice knelt beside her beloved pet. “You cannot come into the village because I’m afraid you cannot keep up with the horses, and I do not want you to injure yourself.”

Piquette whimpered and gave a nervous lick at the air near Anice’s face.

“Don’t worry, Piquette.” Ingrith joined Anice beside the great dog. “We’re going to go for a nice long walk.”

He leapt and both women laughed. Anice quickly made her departure without having to pry the large dog from her side.