Page 26 of The Wager and the Wedding

Well, that was unexpected! Adelaide had certainly come around to his side. And what a pleasant surprise it was to see her standing up to her sister.

He bowed. “You, dear Lady Adelaide, are no trouble at all. Your sister, on the other hand…”

Isabella arched an eyebrow. The flash of defiance in her eyes set his heart ablaze.

“She is exactly the type of trouble I like. God help me.”

For a glorious moment, Isabella smiled despite herself. Another chink in her castle wall. Before their journey was through, he would bring it all crumbling down. She tried toschool her face back into a look of haughty disdain, but it was too late. In that moment, she had revealed herself.

“And you are the type of trouble I cannot afford, my lord.” She turned away and looked out at sea.

A more honest answer than he expected. Somehow, he needed to convince her that he wasn’t trying to trap her, that she was safe with him. “If only you would give me a chance to make my case—”

“Save your breath. There is nothing you can say to sway me.”

“What offense have I committed that you are so adamant against me?” He hadn’t intended to speak so plainly, but perhaps he might get an answer.

“You, my lord, are the offense. Is that not obvious?”

She certainly didn’t pull her punches. Her bald attack made him chuckle. “And which part of me do you find most offensive?”

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, perusing him. “It is difficult to choose. Your position is lowly. Your ship is small. Your person has all the appeal of a boiled potato. Your eyebrows are too thick. But of all your flawed parts, I must say your tongue causes me the most frequent offense.”

“Mytongue? I have much better uses for it, if you will but let me demonstrate.” His imagination began to spiral with possibilities as he watched her reaction.

Her eyes widened, and something like interest sparked deep within them, but she quickly shuttered it. “Your conversation is as interesting as a boiled gruel. Please leave me in peace.” Turning away from him, she looked out to sea once more.

Clearly, she had no interest in continuing the conversation. Very well, then. He’d won a small victory, and now he needed time to regroup and rethink his tactics. And he still hadn’t fully given up on Ulf’s advice. “Then if you’ll excuse me, I have a ship to run.”

Adelaide put her hand on his arm and waylaid him. “Please don’t mind Isabella. You truly have been most kind to us. We appreciate your taking us away from Bamburgh and taking such good care of us on board your ship. My sister is grateful too, even if she doesn’t show it.”

What a dear Adelaide was! He smiled and patted her hand, ignoring Isabella’s huff from the railing. “Have no fear. I know she’s coming around, even if she doesn’t want to admit it.”

Isabella made a rumbling noise in her throat, and he thought it best to make a swift retreat. “If you’ll excuse me.”

As he headed to the forecastle, Isabella and Adelaide began arguing in low murmurs. About him, no doubt. The thought made him grin ear to ear.

“You look pleased with yourself, my lord,” said Ulf, glancing away from the astrolabe he was studying. “Any luck wooing your bride?”

“Not to hear her tell it. But I do think I’m making progress, little by little.” Looking out at the horizon, he was pleased to see that it looked like the weather was holding, at least for the time being.

“You have your father’s optimism,” Ulf said with a chuckle. “He married your mother sight unseen, you know, and they were one of the happiest couples I ever met.”

The mention of his father gave his heart a pang. How he wished his father had lived long enough to meet Isabella! He would have charmed her immediately, just as he did everyone he met. That would have been something to see. No one could withstand Papa’s buoyant cheer, gentle kindness, and penchant for mischief for long. Everyone fell under his spell eventually.

Many had commented on how alike Martin and his father were, at least in personality. His brother had gotten their father’s looks.

Unfortunately, Martin had gotten his looks from his maternal grandfather, a man of middling looks and middling height who made up for those deficiencies with a superb intellect. Martin was grateful he’d inherited that in some measure as well. He needed some advantages to make up for his uninspiring outward appearance.

But Papa’s unquenchable spirit lived on in him, and he planned to make the most of it as he wooed his reluctant bride.

“I’ve heard my parents’ story many times—how he married the notoriously headstrong daughter of an earl to save his fiefdom from ruin after several years of poor harvests. How he brought her favorite flowers every morning and plied her with almond cakes until she succumbed to his charm. Mama always did have a sweet tooth.”

“And your father took full advantage. Have you tried wooing Isabella with food?”

Martin smiled ruefully. “She’s demanding pheasant.”

“At sea?” Clearly, Ulf agreed that the request was unreasonable.

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