“I am strong-willed and outspoken and I like riding, hunting and weaponry, whereas—”
“I am soft-spoken and softhearted, my interests that of herbs and healing,” Aliss finished.
“We are both independent,” Fiona said, “though many believe you dependent on me and that is only because of your gentleness. They do not know of your courageous nature and it is that strength you must rely on if we are to carry out this charade. We will need to combine our opposite natures so that there will be no distinguishing one from the other. You will need to speak up more, be a bit more bold—”
“And you will need to speak more softly, temper your quick wit.”
“The best part is,” Fiona said, and lowered her voice to a whisper, “that no one will realize that we are both skilled enough in each other’s interests to make the ruse believable.”
“With us both displaying similar skills no one will know who is who.”
“Leith will certainly make his disapproval known.” Fiona looked about to laugh. “It will give me great pleasure to see him squirm and demand that we obey him. You realize he will threaten us, but what can he do to us? Separate us? He cannot tell us apart. His hands will be tied.”
“There is Tarr of Hellewyk to consider,” Aliss reminded.
Fiona laughed this time. “He will not be getting his way.”
“Which will anger him.”
“It is his own fault. He deserves to be made the fool. He demands I wed him and produce babes for him without even meeting me.”
“We must be cautious. He is known for getting his way at all costs,” Aliss said.
“Something he and I have in common.”
“Tales have it that he knows only victory.”
Fiona shrugged. “Then it is time he tastes defeat.”
“Let us hope he tires of our game and decides to leave us in peace.”
“We will be relentless, and he will see it is futile to press the matter.”
“I hope you are right,” Aliss said, and quickly blessed herself for added measure. “For if not we will certainly feel the repercussions of his anger. I heard that many quake in the mighty warrior’s presence. I can only imagine the response to his anger.”
“What man does not show anger? They bluster and shout, demand and expect and generally make a horse’s ass out of themselves.”
Aliss giggled. “With your high opinion of men, it is no wonder at twenty and one years you remain unwed.”
“Need I remind you that you also lack a husband?”
Aliss hid her laughter behind her hand.
“Do not even hint that it is my fault you have not wed,” Fiona challenged.
Aliss’s words rolled out with her laughter. “You chase all prospective husbands away.”
“I am your older sister,” asserted Fiona.
“Ten minutes older.”
“Older nonetheless, and therefore I am responsible for you and thus far no man has proven worthy of you,” Fiona said, adamant in protecting her sister. “And do not tell me that there have been any who have interested you. If any man had caught your attention, I would not have interfered.”
“I must admit I am content with life. I enjoy working with herbs and learning all I can about healing. I do not know if I would have time for a husband.”
“Of late I have given a husband thought,” Fiona confessed. “Remembering the easy and caring love that mother and father shared has made me realize that I wish the same for myself. I do not recall any harsh words ever being spoken between them, though we knew when they were upset with each other. It did not take long before one would reach out to the other and it would be settled, and they would be smiling once again.”
“And the stories of how father loved mother from afar, not having enough courage to approach her until one day—”
“He accidentally knocked her on her bottom and mother gave him a tongue-lashing.” Fiona laughed.
“His cheeks turned scarlet and he lost the ability to speak.”
“Mother felt sorry for him and comforted him.”
“He apologized and offered her his hand,” Aliss said with poetic flair.
“And they never parted from that day on . . . until father passed on.”
Aliss sniffed to keep tears from falling. “I miss them.”
“I do too. And I remember how mother insisted we never separate. That we were to remain together and protect each other until—”
“We each found love,” Aliss finished.
Fiona rested her elbow on her knee and her chin on her hand. “I wish to find love, or perhaps for love to find me, to have