“I know the rules,” Margaret said evenly. “It is you who have made an error. See, my guard reaches the end of the board at this turn, and becomes a Wolfskin. Then he can move in any direction he pleases; and he is in position to take this man, and this man. Now it is your move again, I think.”

It appeared she was right. Somerled, who never made mistakes, had missed something, and Margaret had all but won the game. Eyvind waited for an explosion of temper, a withering remark calculated to provoke tears. Somerled was a master of both.

“Your move,” repeated Margaret courteously, lifting her artistically plucked brows.

Somerled stared at her. “I think I’ve met my match,” he said. His eyes were bright with some emotion; there was no telling what it was.

“A gallant loser,” said Margaret. “We must do it again some time. Tomorrow, perhaps. I sense you don’t concede often, brother-in-law.”

“Correct. And perhaps, even this time, I have not entirely lost.”

“If you think I’m going to ask you what that means, you think wrong,” Margaret replied smoothly. “Now, I find all this hard work has given me a hearty appetite. Eyvind, will you walk to the hall with me in search of some sustenance? I’ve several charming ladies with me, from home; my father insisted. You might like to meet them.”

“I shouldn’t think he would, you know,” put in Somerled, bringing up the rear. “The one he has already is enough for him, even if he does share her with half the town.”

If another man had made such a remark, he would not have remained on his feet and conscious long afterward. Eyvind’s jaw tightened; his fists clenched.

“No offense,” said Somerled lightly. “Mmm, what’s that I smell, apple pie?”

“Keep your comments to yourself,” Eyvind growled.

“Indeed,” murmured Margaret. “It’s clear Somerled has no sisters. If he had, he would have learned by now that women are unimpressed by displays of pointless incivility.”

“Oh dear,” said Somerled, apparently quite unabashed. “I’m sure the girl’s a sweet thing, everyone says so. Don’t glower like that, Eyvind, you’ll frighten Margaret. We mustn’t do that. There’s so much to look forward to, after all. So many new games to play.”