He laughed heartily, his green eyes twinkling. “Those are brave words for a wench who finds herself at my mercy.” He ran a finger through the water, grinning down at her.
“Careful, Viking.” Her voice grew cold. “Janie would never forgive me if I had to harm you.”
“Ha!” he chuckled. “And you would no doubt tell her, wouldn’t you?”
“I would.”
He stepped back. “Well, you have naught to fear from me, wench. I will not touch you.”
She smiled at him. “I did not fear you, Perrin. I fear no man.”
He crooked a brow at her. “Not even Garrick?”
“Especially not Garrick.”
“You would be wise to, mistress,” he replied seriously. “Do not take him as lightly as you seem to.”
With that he turned and departed, leaving her wondering over his unexpected warning.
Garrick sat alone at the long table, finishing a hearty stew and brooding on his solitude. Dog lay at his feet, his tail thumping noisily on the cold floor, waiting patiently for a scrap of meat. Most times Garrick enjoyed the peaceful quiet, but at other times like now, he almost wished he had remained at his parents’ home instead of moving to this cold, empty house. He missed the warmth of his family, of good talk and companionship. He did not even have Yarmille to keep him company at meals, for she only stayed at his house when he was away. When he was here, she lived at her home with her son. And now that he had fewer slaves for her to supervise, she only came twice a week to give them instructions.
Garrick absently speared a chunk of venison and gave it to the shepherd. Soon the servants would finish their duties in the house and return to their quarters for the night. Then he would be completely alone in this big house, with only Dog to follow him to bed.
Three years ago he had thought it would be different. How wrong he was. He had hopes of a new family that would add pleasure to his life. Sons that he could watch grow, a loving wife to warm his bed. A bigger fool never lived than was sitting at this table! Now he would never have a woman to share his life. He would never trust one enough to give his love to her. He would not ever leave himself open to that hurt again.
Dog perked up his head when Janie’s shrill giggles came from the cooking area. A moment later Perrin came into the hall, a satisfied smile on his lips. He hailed Garrick and joined him at the table.
“I swear you spend more time with that wench when you come to visit than you do with me,” Garrick said good-naturedly, glad to be interrupted in his brooding.
“I admit I find her company more pleasing than yours. Your disposition is usually too sour, when hers is oh, so sweet.” Perrin laughed.
“Humph! I should have known she was the only reason you came,” Garrick replied, pretending to be affronted. “Off with you, then. I free her from her duties to await your pleasure.”
“You wound me, Garrick,” Perrin said, bringing his hands to his heart to emphasize his point. “’Tis a sorry day when a man seeks a woman’s company over that of a trusted friend.”
“Aye,” Garrick returned, no longer teasing. Then he smiled. “So what has kept you away so long? I missed you at the feast and have not seen you since we returned home.”
“I have been harvesting what few fields I have. Unlike you, I have not so many slaves that I need not bother with the crops myself.”
“You should have asked for help, Perrin. My fields were harvested a month ago. The slaves had naught better to do, nor had I.”
“Mayhaps next year I will—but for a price.”
“Bah! You wish to put a price on friendship? Now ’tis you who wounds me!”
“I will hold you to it then, Garrick, if you return from the East in time.”
Surprise crossed Garrick’s features. “You will not sail with me in the spring?”
“I have not decided yet,” Perrin answered soberly. “My mother did not fare well during the winter with me away.”
“We did well our first time at trading,” Garrick replied.
“Mayhaps we did tarry too long with the Slavs so that we had to stay. But that should not happen again.”
“That, only Odin can say for sure,” Perrin admitted. “We will see.”
Janie came in with tankards of ale and both men fell silent. Garrick saw the look that passed between Perrin and the girl, and almost envied the relationship they shared. He wished he could take a wench so lightly, without committing himself.
