Eirik sneezed repeatedly at the dust Eadyth had raised. She had probably done it apurpose, just to annoy him. He glared at her, having still another reason to mislike her intensely.
* * *
Eadyth pretended to be unconcerned as she shifted in her seat under Eirik’s scowling countenance. Then she remembered that he thought her older than her years and pulled her head-rail forward slightly, hunched her shoulders a bit, and averted her face so she was not in his direct line of vision. She pulled one tiny strand of greasy hair from under the wimple to remind him of its “gray” color. Peering up slyly, she saw that her appearance displeased him greatly and knew she had succeeded for the time being.
“How dare you order my servants about?” Eirik finally asked angrily. “You insult me and my home by doing such.”
“I meant no disrespect, my lord. Truly, I did not. ‘Tis just that idleness sits ill with me. When I saw how your servants took advantage of you, I thought… well, ofttimes women notice more of these things than men. And you have been gone a long time…”
“Still, ’twas not your place.”
Embarrassment overwhelmed Eadyth suddenly as she realized just how inappropriate her actions appeared to him. Had she lost all sense of decorum in her continual fight for independence?
With difficulty, Eadyth swallowed her pride. “I realize now that I acted out of place. But how can you bear to eat food that comes from that filthy kitchen? Or walk in rushes that squish with animal droppings and bones and spoiled food? Or…” and here she spoke challengingly, looking him directly in the eye, “. . . or sleep in beds so live with bugs ‘twould be a real raven’s paradise.”
A flash of triumph swept over Eadyth when she saw Eirik wince at her harsh criticism. He seemed to choke back a quick retort. Raising his chin defiantly, he refused to explain himself to such as her.
“How I sleep is no concern of yours.”
Suddenly, Eadyth sensed the hopelessness of her mission here, despite his having asked her to stay the night. Standing, she told him curtly, “You are right. I should not have interfered. I will be off to Hawks’ Lair now. I am sorry to have inconvenienced you.”
Eirik put an open hand on her shoulder and motioned her back into the chair. “Hold. Let us discuss the matter,” he said in a placating tone, offering her a cup of wine.
“This early in the day? Nay. I have not broken fast yet.”
“Nor anyone else in my keep, I understand,” he commented drolly.
“Wouldst you prefer to have your food from a filthy kitchen? Hell’s flames! The lice fair danced in your cook’s hair.”
Amusement lit Eirik’s blue eyes, but his expression remained annoyed. “Mind your language, maid. ‘Tis uncomely for a lady of your station.”
Eadyth rankled under his criticism. In truth, she had been amongst tradesmen and their crude conversations too long, but she would not admit such to this humble knight.
“Did you drag me into this room to discuss the manner of my words? If so, I would take leave of your company, for I have better things to do with my time.”
“You are quick-tongued, my lady,” he said, with a grin. “Most men would not appreciate such from a mere woman. ‘Tis the reason you have not wed afore, I wager.”
Eadyth gritted her teeth and met his gaze directly. “I have not wed,” she said through clenched jaw, “because I chose not to. Contrary to most men’s high-blown opinions of themselves, many women are content with the solitary life.”
“Did you want to marry Steven?”
Eadyth stiffened at his blunt question. Eirik twisted the end of his mustache between two fingers pensively, watching her like a hawk. She could tell her answer was important to him.
“I find your question rude and personal, and—”
Eirik held up a hand to halt her words. “Nay, the question is a reasonable one for a prospective bridegroom.”
Eadyth’s eyes shot up in surprise. She had thought the possibility of their marriage doomed. Coloring hotly, she forced herself to reveal an intimate detail of a past life she would as soon forget. “Yea, I wanted to marry Steven of Gravely, fool that I was.”