Eadwyn is dragged away
“You’re the one who ought to be terrified, Egelric!” Sophie called. “Wyn already got his kiss out of the way, but I’m still coming after you!”
“You keep coming, Soph,” Egelric said. “You still have to catch me.”
“And you keep running!”
Sophie turned back to Stein and sighed.
“I hope he doesn’t mean Wyn’s in love with Ana,” she whispered. “Mind, it’s more important that Ana not be in love with Wyn, but I’m afraid we have another problem.”
“What?”
“Look behind you.”
Stein turned his head quickly and saw Eadwyn engaged in quiet conversation with Ana.
“Eadwyn?” he whispered. “But I thought she found Eadwyn objectionable?”
“She’s not objecting now.”
“Well…”
“Listen, Stein. I think there’s something going on there. It was not a little strange the way they showed up here yesterday without even her groom in tow.”
“But that was because you forget to meet her at your house, Sophie.”
“That doesn’t explain why she had to come here with Eadwyn instead of with her groom. And I’ve been watching that boy. He can’t keep his eyes off of her. And everyone knows, if one stares at a girl long enough, she will eventually feel it and look up at one. And they’ve been staring and looking up all yesterday evening and again tonight.”
“I know, Soph, but…”
“And now he has finally worked up the courage to talk to her. Listen, Stein, I’ve been trying to keep Ethelwyn herded away from her all evening—which is not a disagreeable task, I admit—but I can’t herd Ethelwyn and Eadwyn both at the same time. And if I must herd a man, I should rather it be a handsome lad such as Ethelwyn. So you will need to get in there and herd Ana away yourself.”
“I know, Soph, and I’ve been trying. But every time I turn around, Lili is there.”
“Can’t you see what she’s doing? She wants Ana for Wyn so that Ana will come live with her.”
“She’s trying to herd me.”
“Precisely.”
“But, Soph,” he whined, “this is a lot of work for a girl who only finds me unobjectionable.”
“Nonsense! I’m telling you, she likes you. But if you aren’t willing to work a little, she’ll think you don’t like her. And, truly, Stein—isn’t a girl like Ana worth a certain amount of work?”
“Well…”
“That’s right. So, I shall go distract Eadwyn, and if you’re clever, you will manage to herd Ana another few feet to stand beneath the mistletoe. Understood?”
“Yes, Sophie, but…”
“Go on with you now, my lovely Viking boy,” Sophie said.
And with that she began herding him closer to Ana.
“Oh, Eadwyn!” she crooned. “Aren’t you going to dance with me?”
“I already did d-d-dance with you, Sophie,” Eadwyn said.
“Well, aren’t you going to kiss me?”
“I already did kiss you, Sophie.”
“Well, aren’t you going to fight with me?”
“F-f-fight with you?” Eadwyn gasped.
“Haven’t done that yet, have you? Come on with you, you lovely English boy…”
And with that she dragged him away.
