“Is it akin to the game of Chess?” Selene asked.
“Aye.” Halvard said. “A Viking cousin of Chess.”
“Come,” Elsie got to her feet and walked over to a small table containing a board and two sets of pieces. “Here.” she indicated the central piece, larger than the others with a carved wooden crown on its head.
“Obviously the king.” Halvard murmured.
Elsie turned to Kenneth. “So, Laird Kenneth, ye should play against me husband. Two warriors who can use their skill and strategies tae take the other’s king.”
Kenneth laughed. “I’d enjoy that, Lady Elsie. I’m up fer the challenge.”
Halvard briefly explained to Kenneth how the game was played between two players, each with the objective of winning the other’s king – and taking each of his men in the process.
Both men seemed equally at ease, clearly both of them adept at hiding any emotion and showing only a steely gaze that gave no inkling of what they might be thinking.
Even as a young lad, Kenneth had excelled at games of strategy. At the age of nine he was able to effortlessly defeat his father at chess. He found Halvard to be a worthy opponent, yet at times he was careless, seeming not to keep his eye on his flank. It was too easy for Kenneth to pick off Halvard’s men one-by-one, leaving his king exposed.
While Halvard was experienced at the game, Kenneth had the edge. He carefully observed Halvard’s reactions. He was clearly impressed at being outfoxed at a game he prided himself on for skill, but as they progressed Kenneth deduced it would not be in his interests to take Halvard’s king and win the game. It would be too bad for Halvard to be beaten at his own game by someone who appeared to be a mere beginner.
He quietly moved his pieces in such a way that allowed Halvard to slowly take a winning position. After several more moves, where each could have been victorious Kenneth cannily allowed Halvard to move the winning piece and take his king.
Grinning, Halvard got to his feet and slapped Kenneth on the back.
“Well played, Laird Kenneth.”
“’Tis ye who is the winner, Laird Halvard. I bow tae yer superior skill.”
The mood in the room had lifted, the air flowing between them seemingly lighter. Kenneth was aware that Halvard had tested him and that he had acquitted himself well.
He could only hope that Halvard’s opinion may have mellowed somewhat as well.
Certainly, there was a subtle change in Halvard’s attitude. It was too much to call it warm, yet the frostiness had thawed somewhat and he was no longer bristling with unspoken challenges as he had been before.
After Selene had bade him goodnight and departed for her bedchamber on Elsie’s arm, Halvard reached for a flask and quirked an eyebrow in a manner that was almost friendly.
“D’ye care fer a wee dram before ye take tae yer bed, lad?”
Kenneth grinned and nodded. He would not refuse any amiable overture of Halvard’s.
They remained seated by the fire, sipping their whisky in almost companionable silence.
Finally, when the dram and another two fingers of the amber liquid had been consumed, Halvard rose to his feet.
“I’ll accompany ye back tae yer bedchamber Laird Kenneth, as ye may have trouble finding yer way.”
Kenneth laughed. “Och, Halvard, the whisky has a way of making a lad lose his bearings.”
As the two men progressed up the stairs and along the maze of corridors it occurred to Kenneth that Halvard might just be safeguarding his sister-in-law’s virtue by ensuring Kenneth went straight to his room.
He smiled to himself. He’d not had an opportunity to apprize Selene of Halvard’s refusal of his suit for her hand. That would have to wait until tomorrow.
He would stay another day as Halvard’s guest, although he was keenly aware of the risk – Duntulm and Sleat without the laird were vulnerable. Still, there remained matters that could not be rushed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The following morning dawned dank and miserable, with banks of dark clouds threatening yet another storm, but Kenneth paid no heed to the weather. He had business to attend to. First there was the matter of the cattle he was determined to purchase, and then he must find time to speak in private with Selene and inform her of Halvard’s resistance to their marriage.
It was with a heavy heart he set out with Halvard after breakfast. There’d been no sign of Selene and he could only assume she was either with Elsie in the solar or taking breakfast in her own chamber. Nevertheless, there was no waiting, for Halvard was as keen as he was to ride out and, with luck on their side, escape a storm.
