“No!” Celiese insisted, her fists clenched tightly in her lap so she would not be tempted to slap the triumphant smirk from Olgrethe’s face, but she knew the willful girl would do exactly as she pleased no matter how she pleaded with her to do otherwise.
*
As always Olgrethe was clever, making the most of her feminine wiles. She spoke first with her husband, casually mentioning what little opportunity she had had to meet his kin at their wedding, revealing that the lack of warmth she had experienced as she had joined his family was a slight which still caused her pain. With a downcast expression and a soulful glance she readily convinced him she had been insulted most rudely and hoped sometime soon she might meet his relatives again, when they would be in a more festive mood and show her the courtesy she deserved.
Astonished to find his bride so unhappy, Andrick went quickly to his parents, who listened attentively to his complaint and with only gentle encouragement on his part, agreed to invite their relatives and friends for a party as soon as the harvest had been gathered. When at the evening meal Aldred suggested having a harvest celebration the idea seemed to come from him, and Celiese could only stare at Olgrethe, certain the inspiration had come from her, but not knowing any way she could either stop or avoid it.
Hagen had no objection to a party; he liked them as much as any young man, for there were always races that would provide ample opportunities for him to win praise for his horsemanship. He had often found pretty young women easily impressed by such skill, which made the evenings far more profitable in terms of romance. Turning to note Celiese’s reaction to the prospect of such an amusement, he saw her worried glance and realized she had not once looked in his direction all evening, while she had laughed frequently at Erik’s jokes. That had only made the young man’s humor that much more outrageous, until finally Thulyn had given him the choice of being quiet or leaving the table. Since neither option appealed to Erik, he had grown sullen, and the conversation about the upcoming party continued without any more of his interruptions.
Obviously feeling sorry for his younger brother, Andrick suggested his favorite board game as soon as the meal ended, issuing a challenge to which Erik readily responded, leaving Olgrethe talking with Aldred and Thulyn about the harvest festivities while Hagen quickly excused himself and went to Celiese’s side.
“I want to speak with you for a moment, come with me into the garden.” His request was more of a command than an invitation, but he saw no need for flattery or flirting where she was concerned.
Having no wish to risk another romantic encounter with the young man, Celiese offered an excuse, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t sleep well last night. I’m afraid I’m more tired than usual and would be poor company for you. I’d rather just go on to my room.”
Smiling slightly, Hagen reached out to take her arm in a firm grasp as he helped her from her chair. “The garden is not out of your way and the fresh air will help you sleep all the better.” Giving her no time to disagree, he propelled her through the open door out into the gathering dusk. As soon as they could no longer be overheard by those still inside, he took her hand and drew her around to face him.
“I did not realize I’d been too forward with you last night, but I must have been, for you’ve avoided me all day.”
Pulling her hand gently from his, she denied his assumption. “I have not been avoiding you, not at all. It is only that Olgrethe has been helping me make a new gown. You know how little I brought with me from Mylan’s house, so we have been very busy.” While she did not want Hagen for a lover, she dared not make an enemy of him either, and hoped he would accept her explanation as the truth.
Hagen shifted his weight, his stance turning from relaxed to militant as he put his hands on his hips. “That is the only reason I’ve not seen you about, or that you spoke not one word to me while we dined?”
Rather than lie, she changed the subject to the one she needed to discuss. “I have given a great deal of thought to the voyage you mentioned last night. Have you told Andrick your plans?”
“No,” he admitted reluctantly.
“If you two are partners, don’t you think you should?”
Though she knew he would not want to leave Olgrethe, were Andrick to go along she would not have to be alone with Hagen, and that thought gave her hope the voyage home might still be possible.
Impatient to resolve the issue, Hagen drew her into his arms, his embrace confining as he explained. “We will be busy with the harvest; by the time it is over I will have all my plans made, our provisions gathered, and my crew ready to sail. I will simply tell him I am leaving, and he will not object, for he seems to grow more enamored with his bride each new day.”
“Don’t you think a man should love his wife?” she asked softly. She made no move to resist his touch. She wanted to push him away and run, but dared not be so rude when it would cause a dreadful scene between them.
Hagen paused a moment too long, then agreed. “Yes, if a man must have a wife, then he should love her.”
As he bent down to kiss her, Celiese turned her cheek, and slipped from his grasp before he could stop her. “I must go; it would not be pleasant for either of us if your parents thought your interest in me were other than a friendly one.” She hurried away, passing through the hall where the others were still talking or playing the game that involved moving brightly colored pieces of glass across an ornately carved wooden board.
Thulyn glanced up as Celiese sped by. The young woman had been outdoors only briefly with Hagen but when her son joined their group he seemed preoccupied, and she grew worried that the attractive former slave might have set her sights for him now that Mylan no longer had any interest in her. She had not forgotten the innocence in Celiese’s gaze when first they had met, an innocence that was only part of Raktor’s evil plot, and her cheeks burned with humiliation still. She had tried to be like a true mother to Celiese, when that was the last thing such a conniving young woman needed. Perhaps the party they were planning would provide an opportunity to repay Celiese for the hurt she had dealt them. Smiling with thoughts too delicious to suppress, Thulyn agreed to each of Olgrethe’s suggestions, then made a few of her own.
By spending as much time as possible in her own company, Celiese managed to survive until the day of the harvest celebration without upsetting the delicate balance she had created in her relationships within the Vandahl home. Hagen was the most difficult to avoid, but his own demanding schedule worked to her advantage. She had responded to Erik’s flattering attention with sisterly teasing, and since Olgrethe clearly thought she had had her own way in arranging for a party to which Mylan would surely come, they had avoided further argument on that issue. She strove as before to be pleasant and cheerful with Aldred and Thulyn but the easy rapport they had shared the day she had come to marry Mylan had never been restored.
As soon as the guests had begun to arrive, Olgrethe swept into Celiese’s room, closed the door hurriedly, and whispered, “Mylan’s here. I’ve just spoken with him and he seems to be in as festive a mood as everyone else. Didn’t I tell you he would be here today?”
Celiese turned away from her window, her manner far cooler than her true mood. “Yes, you did, and I hope he wins all the races and has a most amusing time, but there is no possible way I will enjoy the day.”
Olgrethe circled her friend warily. “You finished your new gown and the pale green is perfect with your eyes. Your hair has never looked prettier, but there’s little we can do to disguise your freckles. Let us pray Mylan is so happy to see you again he’ll not notice that flaw.”
Lifting her chin proudly, Celiese moved gracefully toward the door. “I would prefer to avoid his notice altogether, but I’m certain you’ll make it impossible.”
“You will thank me before this day is over, but I will be gracious and not refuse your praise.” With a playful hug Olgrethe walked outside with Celiese where Andrick and Hagen were greeting their guests, but Mylan had gone to prepare for the first race and was nowhere in sight.
“I did not realize your brothers would be here, Olgrethe,” Hagen said, nodding toward a boisterous group of men talking amongst themselves as they saddled their mounts for the races. “Apparently my father believes the truce we’ve enjoyed between our families since your marriage will be a lasting one.”
Olgrethe glanced anxiously at Celiese, knowing she would not wish to see any of the Torgvalds on that day or any other. “Yes, it was your father who invited them, I did not even think of it. I hope they will cause no trouble.”
Celiese thought it would be miraculous if they did not and was sorry she had come outdoors, for she did not know which would be worse, confronting Mylan or Olgrethe’s hateful brothers. Oluf was staring at her now, his beady blue eyes f