Gunnilda meets the cousins

Gunnilda stood shyly in the corner. Egelric only had eyes for Baby, of course, but it was not from this that she shrunk. It was these two strange men – strange in every way. They were dressed just like Egelric, but they were as like him as wolves were like a dog. Or, no – the older one had odd eyes that glittered like a cat’s – and the way the young one moved set her hair on end.

She had heard stories of the fearsome Scots all her life, and now that she had two of them before her, she doubted the stories no more. They were not simply men in skirts, she saw now. And yet Egelric brought them home with him – let them close to his daughter. Had he tamed these two?

Gunnilda stepped back until her palms touched the wall behind her. The young one was coming to her.

“You must be Gunnilda,” he said in a voice that was low as a purr.

Gunnilda nodded.

“I imagined you… otherwise,” he said with a mysterious half-​​smile. “But I see what he meant. My name is Malcolm. If my cousin has told his sort of truth about me, you have imagined me otherwise as well.” He grinned wickedly – or perhaps wicked was simply his usual expression.

“I don’t know as he talked about you much,” Gunnilda said weakly. “He was only here five days before he left again.” Did Scotsmen always stand so close to people when they talked? His foot was practically on the hem of her skirt, and she could move backwards no farther.

“He will stay longer this time.” 

Gunnilda looked up at him. How long? she wondered.

“And so shall we, if he does no run out of patience with us. I hope we shall be friends, Gunnilda,” he said, his voice growing softer as he spoke. His way of trilling his r’s made her think again of a purring cat. “I had thought to say I feel as if I already knew you, but now that I have seen you, I do no believe I do. I believe there is more to you than what your friend is telling.” He laid a hand on her arm.

Gunnilda felt sick. What had Egelric told them? Why was he touching her? Suddenly she realized she was not alone. Something about the man had made her feel that she was alone and trapped with him, but Egelric was only across the room. She looked over Malcom’s shoulder to where he stood, and just then Egelric looked up at her, and their eyes met – and he was right there.

“I’m sorry, Gunnilda – I should have introduced you to my cousins.”

Gunnilda smiled in relief.

“I introduced my own self, so you need no begin telling her your lies,” Malcolm laughed.

“So I needn’t tell her you’re the shy one?”

“She already knows.” Malcolm winked at her. But Gunnilda didn’t care. Let him try to touch her now.

“Come, Colban,” Egelric said.

Colban came, and told Gunnilda that she had a fine boy. That was more like it.

And then Egelric got to talking and laughing with them again, and they drifted off towards the fire, and Gunnilda stood alone in the corner once more. She was amazed at the difference in Egelric. She was too accustomed to seeing him talk to Alwy, she supposed – that required a little gentleness. But with his cousins Egelric was just as rowdy as they. Bertie seemed to appreciate the change, however, she thought with displeasure. He seemed to have found two new idols.

After a time, Baby came up to her and rubbed her face in Gunnilda’s skirts.

“You poor Baby. You’re ready for your bed, aren’t you?”

“I forgot my doll, Gunnie. Take me home.”

“This is your home, Baby. Here with your Da.”

“I don’t want to sleep here. I want to go home with you and Bertie.”

Gunnilda frowned. She didn’t like the idea of leaving Baby here alone with Egelric and these two men – or savages, or whatever they were. 

But to get to Egelric she would have to pass between the two Scots: Colban with his cat eyes and Malcolm with his – his face. Still, that Baby needed her help. She would go.

She strode forth, and the two stepped back to clear a path for her – Colban respectfully enough, but Malcolm with a faint smirk.

“Egelric,” she began hestitantly. “Perhaps it would be better if Baby slept at home with Wynn for one more night, and you could get her in the morning? She forgot her doll.”

“Baby!” Egelric cried. “Don’t you want to stay with your Da?”

“I want my doll,” she whimpered.

“Baby, these scary men aren’t staying here tonight. It will be you and me.”

“I want my doll,” she repeated.

“Egelric – she’s tired. She’ll be ready to see you in the morning. You know she’s a morning girl.”

Egelric looked hurt. Gunnilda wanted to – to – but no, there were these men watching her every move.

“Take her then,” he said.

“Egelric, you aren’t…”

“No.” He looked past her to where Baby sat on the floor. “Do you want to give your Da a kiss, at least?”

She held up her arms to him, and he brushed past Gunnilda to pick her up and kiss her. He then put her down and walked back to his cousins and the fire. “Good night, Bertie,” he said, roughing up the boy’s hair as Bertie walked past him to the door.

“Good night, Gunnilda,” Malcolm smiled as she went out. 

But Egelric had his back to her, and said nothing.