He quirked a brow.
Her mouth twisted. “Has anyone ever told you that you are far too suspicious?”
He folded his arms across his chest, causing the impressive muscles to bulge. She would never get tired of looking at him.
“All the time,” he said. “It’s my job.”
When it seemed he would wait forever, she harrumphed and said, “Oh, very well. I find that he is much more reasonable after a large tankard ofcuirm.”
Tor chuckled, and the deep sound filled her with warmth. His teeth were so white against the bronze of his tan, and the creases in his cheeks deepened when he smiled.
“It seems I’ve married a devious lass.”
For a minute she wondered whether he was talking about what had happened at Finlaggan, but she was relieved to see only a teasing glint in his eye. She gave him a cheeky grin. “I prefer to think of it as being resourceful.”
“However it was done, I’m impressed.”
Despite the lighthearted manner in which it was given, the compliment pleased her enormously. Perhaps he was noticing her efforts more than she’d realized? The thought emboldened her. “I know you are busy, but we’ve been married for nearly three weeks now, and we’ve had so little time to talk. I hardly feel as if I know you.” The smile slipped from his face, but she didn’t heed the warning. She was carried away with the excitement of their first “normal” husband-and-wife exchange and didn’t want it to end. “It is almost time for the midday meal, and there are so many things I should like to discuss with you.” Her mind raced in a thousand directions. Had he noticed the new pillows? And she wanted to get his opinion on the color for the new bed hangings. She had so much to ask him! “Perhaps you might stay?” Then she had an even better idea. “Or I could come with you. It’s not raining, maybe a picnic—”
“That’s impossible.” He’d retreated into his chief’s façade, and she realized her mistake, feeling as if she’d run headlong into a stone wall.
She struggled to hide her disappointment, not wanting to ruin the moment but fearing that in her eagerness she’d done just that. “Perhaps another time,” she said airily. Trying to recover, she added quickly, “But you still haven’t told me your preferences.”
He waved it off. “Whatever you decide is fine.”
“All right,” she said softly. The moment was gone. Why did she have to push? Why couldn’t she just take what he was willing to give?
He must have noticed her crestfallen expression. “Beets,” he said.
She looked up at him. “What?”
“I don’t like beets. Or parsnips, for that matter.”
She brightened. “I don’t either. Anything else?”
“Sweet sauces on meats. Sugar belongs in desserts.” He gave her an amused look. “And on dried figs.”
She blushed, realizing he must have noticed her penchant for sugary treats. “Wine or ale?” she asked.
“Whisky, then ale.” He grimaced. “None of that syrup you like.”
He’d noticed her preference for wernage as well? It seemed he’d noticed far more than she’d realized. She wanted to ask him hundreds more questions, but sensing he was anxious to leave, she didn’t want to delay him any longer. “Thank you.”
He nodded and started to leave, but stopped himself. “I will be gone—”
“For a few days,” she finished evenly, her tone giving no hint of her disappointment.
He gave her a sharp look, and she feared he’d seen it anyway. “Aye, for a few days.”
She forced a non-demanding-wife smile on her face. “I will see you when you return then.”
He gave her a long look and seemed as if he wanted to say something, but turned on his heel and left without another word. She watched him cross the yard from the window, wondering what it was that took him away for so long.
She was just about to turn away when she froze. It felt as if she’d just been doused with a bucket of icy water.
Lady Janet was walking toward him with a large basket. The kind of basket to carry food on a picnic.
She appeared to have been waiting for him. Tor said something, and they descended the sea-gate stairs together.
Christina’s heart was beating so fast she couldn’t breathe. She was sure it didn’t mean anything. But why was he leaving with Lady Janet and not with her?
