Page 74 of Heart of Winter
“You’ll never know if you don’t ask,” Leif said, sagely.
Erik glared at him again.
Leif grinned. “Bed him first and then see what he says. I promise he wantsthat.”
Erik arched a brow at him, and hoped he could play off the blush that heated his face as a result of the fire. “I would expect talk of ‘bedding’ from your brother, but not you. I hope you’re behaving honorably with Tessa.”
Leif’s grin vanished. He hitched up straighter in his chair. “Of course.” Then he frowned, and glanced toward the fire again.
“What?”
“She doesn’t love me.”
And here was what had pulled Leif out of bed at such an hour and into this glum mood.
“Ah,” Erik said. “I see.”
Leif’s darted glance seemed to say,do you?
“Lad, I wouldn’t expect her to love you yet. You’ve not known each other that long. It takes time for affection and interest to settle into love.”
Leif snorted. “Says you, braiding lover’s beads into a pretty boy’s hair.”
Erik sent him a warning look – one met with shoulders ducked in contrition – but he wasn’t angry. “I do not love Oliver.” An inward squirming left him feeling as if he’d lied.
“But you could.”
“And I suspect the same can be said of Tessa.” He inclined his head in question. “I don’t think you are exactly in love, either, Leif.”
“I want to be.”
“So. You and Tessa are on the same page, then. Many happy, loving marriages have been built upon less.”
“Yes.” He hesitated. “But.”
Erik waited.
Leif heaved a deep sigh. “She prefers Rune.”
Erik had feared the same. But he said, “Tessa is young – they are closer in age, and Rune is very…forcefully cheerful.”
Leif snorted again, though his expression was sad. “It’s more than that.”
“Perhaps. But. Fancying someone, finding him handsome – Tessa’s a smart girl. She knows that cheer and charm don’t necessarily make for a good husband.”
Leif’s gaze sharpened. “Rune would make anyone a fine husband.”
Erik tried to mask his amusement. “Noble of you to defend your brother.”
“No, it’s right. If Tessa wants Rune instead, then, so be it. I won’t stand in the way of their happiness.” His jaw set, after his declaration, and his shoulders pushed back in a determined way.
Erik couldn’t keep the fond smile from his face. “You are a good brother. And a good nephew. Someday you will make a good king…and a good husband.”
Leif sighed.
“Try not to worry too much. Things will turn out as they should.”
“Hmph.”
