Page 59 of A Tale of Two Vikings

Oh, that is just wonderful. Encourage her to get a milksop for her lifemate. Do this, do that. Hell!

“You could make a list of all the qualities you want in a husband—a good leader to work for you with the king and his court, a good fighter to work for you against the king and his court, a good farmer or man familiar with the land to turn Evergreen prosperous again, a good principled man.” Alinor was on a real roll, or so she thought.

“A good lover,” Tykir interjected with a wink at his wife.

“That, too,” Alinor said.

Toste closed his eyes and swore he saw balls of fire. Esme is definitely not picking a good lover for a husband. Not while I am around.

“Do not discard the idea out of hand,” Eadyth advised Esme.

Do discard the idea out of hand, Esme.

“Think about it,” Eadyth concluded.

“I must admit, you ladies make some good points,” Eirik said.

I…do…not…think…so.

Eadyth fairly beamed at her husband.

“Well, it is not going to happen,” Toste said firmly, standing once again. “Do not listen to them, Esme. You will not wed, and that is that. I forbid it.”

Everyone, including Esme, went wide-eyed at his vehement words.

Uh-oh! Perchance I went a bit too far.

Like ten hectares too far? Tact, my brother…where is the tact I taught you so well?

“What right have you to forbid me anything?” Esme said, standing to glare up at him.

“I have the right because…because I choose to have the right,” he argued nose to nose with her in utter illogic.

Toste could swear he heard laughter in his head.

Bolthor murmured something about green-eyed monsters, whatever that meant, and everyone else in the room nodded with odd little smirks on their faces. He did not care. They were speaking of marrying Esme off, and he could not allow it. He had lost one person he loved and—

Toste stopped himself short.

Now we are getting somewhere.

It could not be.

Wouldst like to wager on that?

It was impossible.

Dumber than a Danish door hinge!

“Dumb dolt! Awk! Awk!” said Abdul.

Grabbing Esme’s hand and ignoring the snickers behind him, he began to pull her out into the corridor. “I must needs speak to you in private,” he choked out.

“And I have a few things to say to you, as well,” she stormed.

This is your chance, big brother. Don’t blow it.

Chapter Eight