The door swung open, and Elene’s mother tumbled forward, wobbly on her legs. She pushed hair from her face as she lifted her skirts to her calves and squished through the mud to meet Gunter. Liam observed the Norseman’s reaction to his supposed betrothed. Irritation and disgust morphed to lust as the woman pressed herself against him. Liam watched as Gunter glanced toward Elene and Inburgh’s home before he pulled Inburgh in for a sloppy kiss. Liam didn’t need to look to know Gunter spied Elene and kissed Inburgh for effect. It disgusted Liam.
When Gunter pressed Inburgh away, Liam watched the consternation flash across the man’s eye, telling Liam that Elene no longer watched. Gunter’s gaze swung to Liam, a scowl deeply etched across his face. The older man sensed Liam gloated in silence. He narrowed his eyes as he assessed Liam.
“Been sniffing around, have you?” Gunter sneered. He knew Liam observed him when he sought Elene. The woman had plagued him since he first spied her a year ago. First, he’d lusted for her as any healthy man would. But as he’d observed her, he’d come to appreciate her finer qualities, such as loyalty, diligence, and steadfastness. He’d wanted to learn more, share his life with her, but she’d turned him away. Pride continued to get the better of him where she was concerned, especially since his interest hadn’t waned. “Even gotten a taste? No sweeter honey, is there?”
Liam refused to react.
“Stoic now? Is that how you think you look?” Gunter laughed. If he couldn’t vent his frustration at Elene, he would accept Liam as a scapegoat. His anger at her rejection was a constant simmer because she wounded his self-esteem. But his longing and abused ego wouldn’t dissipate, so his feelings manifested as a bully. “Or mayhap, you’re jealous. Haven’t tasted that honey yet after all. I promise you it’s the finest.”
Liam shifted his gaze to Inburgh, shocked that the woman ignored the obvious innuendos her betrothed made about her own daughter. The intoxicated woman stood with her eyes closed as she ran her hand over Gunter’s bare abdomen. Liam wondered if Inburgh even listened, and if she did, he questioned whether she believed Gunter described her.
“Woman, I’m starved.” Gunter’s announcement elicited a giggle from Inburgh.
“I’m certain I have some honey,” Inburgh purred. The sound grated on Liam’s ears.
“Food first. Then we’ll see if you can keep me up long enough to find that honey.” Gunter wrapped his arm around Inburgh’s waist, once more exchanging a revolting kiss. With their eyes closed, neither noticed Elene slip from the croft. Liam tilted his head toward the stables. Elene crept around the side of her home until she could enter the shadows and make her way to the community stables. Liam observed Gunter and Inburgh as they traipsed across the village center. Inburgh entered first, but Gunter’s towering height enabled him to see Elene wasn’t within the single room croft. He ducked back out, looked around, and boomed. “Where the fuck is she?”
“She went hunting,” Androw responded. His answer surprised Liam, but he maintained his neutral expression. “I’m certain she’s respecting your need for privacy.”
Gunter slammed the door shut, leaving Androw, Liam, and Janet staring at the Isbisters’ home. It was Janet who spoke first. “Bring her here when it gets too late for her to remain in the stables. She’ll freeze, or he’s likely to find her.”
Liam nodded, offering his family friends an appreciative smile. He walked around the back of Androw’s house and past the mead hall before doubling back to the stables, unwilling to make his destination obvious.
CHAPTER5
Liam entered the musty building, scant light finding its way through the wooden roof’s slats. He peeked in each stall until he came to his own horse. There stood Elene, with an apple in her outstretched palm as Urram munched on another. Elene stroked the massive head, and Liam was certain the beast sighed. He approached and listened to Elene murmur in Norn, complimenting the horse on his manners.
“He only speaks Gaelic, and I don’t know about his manners. I may have named him Honor, but he hardly has any when it comes to letting others eat. Greedy would be a better name.”
Elene chuckled. “Greedy, or Belget, is my horse’s name. I suppose that’s why Urram and I get along. I understand him.”
“You’re lucky he hasn’t taken your fingers off. He’s a walking stomach.”
“Typical man,” Elene muttered playfully.
I certainly hunger for something.Liam scowled but winked. The image his trusted steed and the woman he craved created warmed him in a way that made his heart swell. The softer emotion, however, did little to assuage his desire to kiss Elene once more. But as his eyes skimmed over her voluptuous frame, Gunter’s words came back to him. He wished to taste more than just Elene’s honey, but he questioned whether Gunter had already enjoyed the privilege.
He knew it wasn’t his business with whom Elene spent her time or how she did. But the thought that Gunter was once Elene’s lover, or at least a love interest, made him uncomfortable. In part, it was envy. But he recognized another part was a fear that he appeared more like a boy than a man when compared to the more-worldly warrior. It wasn’t often that Liam’s self-confidence flagged, but he knew the sensation from times when he feared he would never compare to his legendary family members.
“You’ve wandered away.” Elene’s voice permeated Liam’s inner musings.
“There is much on my mind. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“We’re both preoccupied.” Elene stepped aside as Urram nodded and snorted when Liam stepped forward. The animal pressed his nose into Liam’s shoulder joint, then rested it over Liam’s shoulder. “He’s a big softy.”
“Shh. Don’t let the other horses hear. He has a reputation for being disagreeable with others. You’ll hurt his pride if you give away his secret. He’s more like a lapdog than a warhorse with me.”
“I would hardly underestimate him in battle. He looks like he’d be ferocious.”
“He is. His bite and his hooves are deadly. But we’ve spent so much time together that he’s more a loyal hound than just my ride.”
“I wish I could say that about Belget. The beast dislikes even a hint of rain. He balks if the wind blows up his nose. And he’d rather spend his day grazing than working. He’s an old man.” Elene rolled her eyes.
“How old is he?”
“Five-and-ten.”
“He deserves to spend his days in a pasture not behind a plow. He is old.”
