Blinking her eyes, she searched for Eirik through the eye-smarting smokiness of the great hall. Really, something would have to be done when she took charge about enlarging the smoke hole, or finding some better means of ventilation, she decided, wiping her eyes with the back of one hand. It must be unbearable in the winter months.
Her gaze collided then with her betrothed’s, and she knew exactly why Eirik had not intervened on her behalf. Although he leaned back casually in his high-backed chair on the dais and strummed his fingertips idly on the table, his tight jaw and glittering eyes bespoke a blind fury. Eadyth faltered slightly but then proceeded stoically up the steps.
Oh, Sweet Mother.
“Please forgive my delay,” Eadyth offered with her customary directness when she finally stood at his side. “I suffered a slight ague of the stomach, my lord.”
He looked up at her lazily through slitted eyes, not even bothering to rise, then said something very foul that even Eadyth’s trading acquaintances had never dared to utter in her presence.
She stiffened. “Dost make you feel better to show as little respect for your betrothed as your knights do?” she complained waspishly. She pointed with disgust to the lower hall where his retainers ogled them openly, still calling out an occasional lewd suggestion or merely making buzzing sounds. “I may speak too frankly betimes, but I am not accustomed to such rude treatment.”
Leastwise, not lately. Especially since I rarely leave my keep.
“And what of the ill-bred manner in which you have treated me and those knights who follow my standard? Your contempt for the betrothal speaks for itself in your refusal to join our toasts.” He shrugged. “You forced us to do the toasting alone.”
He raised his goblet, draining the contents in one long swallow, and Eadyth realized he had, no doubt, lifted his goblet a dozen times while awaiting her arrival.
Oh, Lord! She had trouble enough dealing with the sober Eirik.
She caught the eye of Wilfrid as he sat down next to his master, regarding him with pity. Eadyth bent her head in shame, realizing full well how it felt to be demeaned in front of others. She had not meant to humiliate Eirik before his men. It was just that she feared his discovery of her charade. And, Holy Virgin, in his present mood, it appeared he would as soon twist her neck like a spring chicken as marry her.
“You do not even deign to dress for the occasion,” Eirik rebuked her further, scanning her garments disdainfully.
Eirik had bathed and trimmed his mustache. He wore a black tunic and surcoat, somewhat worn but trimmed with gold braid and cinched at the waist with a belt of fine gold links. Perhaps he was not quite as impoverished as she had originally thought. She looked down at herself and realized how drab she must look, standing next to Eirik.
” ‘Tis unfair to condemn me for my garb,” she cried. “I did not bring any other, and how was I to know you would agree to my proposal so readily?”
“How, indeed.”
Eadyth braced herself against his rejection. Self-pity was a luxury she rarely countenanced, and she refused to succumb now. When she felt her emotions were under control, she asked calmly, “Wouldst thou break the betrothal because of my thoughtless actions?” She closed her eyes momentarily in weariness. Had she come so far only to fail now? Forcing herself to face him outright, she offered, “I will release you from your vows if ’tis what you desire.”
Eirik studied her as she fidgeted, fanning her fingers nervously across her lower face. He seemed to seriously consider her offer, then shrugged his shoulders.
“What I desire has long ceased to be of any importance. And I have told you afore, I do not break my oaths.”
“But I—”
Eirik raised a hand, halting her words. “Let us understand each other from the start. I will not abide your obstinate ways as wife. I am not a tyrant, but I cannot tolerate a wife who defies me at every turn. A contest of wills is not my vision of wedded life. I have had more than enough of strife in my time. If this is the path you set for our marriage, I want naught of it. Let us end it now.”