Rand raised a brow. ‘Will I?’
‘You are angry with me because you’re frustrated with Thorarinn. Because you need a person to be angry with and I’m convenient. I’m trying to help you, but I refuse to be used in that fashion.’
He stared at her, open-mouthed. His earlier frustration at her faded like snow in the morning sun. How did this woman suddenly understand his innermost struggles better than he did? He was more than frustrated with Thorarinn. If he felt able, he would shake him until his teeth rattled and a modicum of sense entered his brain. Worse, he’d nearly alienated the woman who had proved herself to be his biggest ally in this battle against Turgeis. When his late wife had raged at him for something her father or one of her sisters had said, he’d hated it even if it had led to some of their most passionate lovemaking. In the end, he’d wondered if she’d provoked the quarrels to provoke the aftermath because their lovemaking had dwindled to those times.
‘Frustrated with Thorarinnis a good way to put it,’ he said in a low voice, hanging his head. ‘He can be most irritating at times. Selfish.’
She gave a wry smile. ‘I haven’t met the man, so I will take your word for it.’
He walked over to her and laid his hands on her. Her arms were shaking, and he suddenly realised the enormous effort it must have taken her to defy him in that way. Particularly as the alliance was supposedly the most important thing to her and the easiest way would have been to humour him. ‘I apologise. Wrong of me. None of this is your fault.’
She gave a stiff nod. ‘Apology accepted.’
‘I don’t want to fight, Svanna. I had enough of that with Bridget.’
‘We were having a discussion, not a fight.’ She lifted her chin and stared directly at him. ‘I’m a grown woman, not a child. Discussions are allowed to become heated.’
‘Life would be dull if they didn’t.’
‘Exactly. No need to walk on eggshells, but use your anger productively.’
He drew her into his arms and rested his cheek against the top of her head. She put her arms about him. ‘You do appear to enjoy a lively discussion. I shall remember that for the next time.’
‘As do you,’ she said, glancing up at him.
Her eyes were large and fringed with a forest of lashes. Her lips had become a deep rose shade. Looking at her like that, he had trouble remembering that he had considered her an Ice Maiden, devoid of passion and only interested in strategy. He gave in to temptation, lowered his mouth and drank. Her arms went around his neck and for a long time they stood like that.
‘What do you suggest we do?’
Her well-kissed mouth turned up at the corners. ‘After that demonstration, I suggest sending several of your men out to search while we remain here, resting from the sea voyage. If they discover no trace of them, then we come up with another plan.’
He looked at her solemn face and knew she spoke the truth. He’d been fighting this so long on his own that it seemed odd to have an ally. ‘A thoroughly sensible suggestion.’
Her smile lit her entire being. ‘Thank you for considering it.’
Rand put his arm about her. ‘After that, I want to show you my chamber where you will be resting.’
A dimple flashed in and out of her cheek. ‘And why might that be?’
He nipped her chin. ‘Guess. I shall hold you to that earlier promise.’
Chapter Twelve
‘Do you think they will find the runaways in time?’ Svanna asked after Rand had sent several groups of his men out with instructions to search the countryside for the missing couple.
She had to admit that sending search parties out was one solution and resting here in Donaghmoyne would not be a hardship. After doing that, he had loudly proclaimed that she appeared tired, and he would escort her to their chamber. The remaining servants had nudged each other and laughed until Svanna knew her cheeks burned.
Rand paused in latching the door to his well-appointed chamber. ‘If they wish to be found, they will be. I only hope…’
Svanna kept her eyes focused on him rather than looking off at one of the many tapestries which adorned the room. Or worse, the bed piled high with furs. Everything about the room spoke of Rand’s old life, the one he’d shared with Bridget—a timely reminder that she was the interloper here and could never command his heart. ‘Hope what? That for some reason your cousin has not gone to seek aid from Turgeis?’
His tight smile told her all she needed to know. ‘Hope persists when much else fails.’
‘Forget I said anything,’ she said, and tried to alter the subject. ‘Your room exudes comfort.’
He shook his head. ‘Better that you say it than I do.’
‘Important to consider all the possibilities, but your cousin knows their fury.’
