MYLES FOUND HIMSELF at his aunt’s s

MYLES FOUND HIMSELF at his aunt’s solar and rapped upon the door.
Darby opened it, grinning wide to show a new space in his smile.
“Myles, look, I’ve lost a tooth.” He rolled the tiny thing between his fingers.
“So you have.” Myles smiled down at the lad. “You’d best go bury it before a witch finds it and casts a spell on you.”
Darby looked to his mother.
Vivienne nodded, looking up from her needlework. “Bury it in the garden, and you’re sure to grow big and strong. Run along now and let me speak with Myles.”
Fast as a flint spark, the boy was gone.
Vivienne set her stitching upon her lap and rubbed the back of her neck. “Thank goodness for your company. This work is tedious and I’ve no talent for it.”
Myles crossed the room and sat down in the cushioned chair next to her. Like his mother’s chamber, this one was decorated in pale hues of lilac and pink. Women must prefer that to the red and gold of masculine decor, though he could not imagine Fiona in such a soft setting, nor spending her hours at so mild a pastime.
He pulled the cloth from Vivienne’s lap to examine her uneven stitches. “You do not exaggerate. This is sloppy craftsmanship.”
She frowned with no heat and snatched back the cloth, stuffing it into a handbasket near her feet. “I should like to see you sitting in one spot for hours upon end, poking your finger with a needle until you bleed.”
He smiled. “Well, there’s the problem, then. The needle is meant to go into the cloth, not your finger.”
She blinked at him several times in rapid succession. “Jesters must tremble in fear at the magnificence of your humor.”
He stretched with false posturing. “All men tremble at my magnificence. And the ladies too.”
Vivienne smiled at this and clapped her hands together. “Splendid news, nephew. So all goes well with your bride, then?”
The air of teasing was punched from his lungs, and he felt his face fall. He’d hoped to warm up to this topic, not surge in with no element of care. But there was no avoiding it now. She’d asked, as if she sensed Fiona was the reason for his visit. His aunt had the uncanny sense of an owl.
“No, not well. Little I do or say pleases her.”
Vivienne laughed. “She seems charming to me. It must be you who is the problem.”
“You see a different side of her.”
Vivienne tilted her head. “Give the girl some time, Myles. She’s sacrificed much, and none of this is of her choosing. But if you back a cat into a corner, it will hiss and run away. You cannot force her.”
“I haven’t forced her in any way. ’Tis just the opposite, in fact. I’ve hardly touched her since our wedding night.” Lord have mercy, he hadn’t meant to share as much. It certainly was no business of Vivi’s. Now he’d never hear the end of it.
“Hardly touched her? What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” What good were the cushions on this chair? They felt hard as mallets. He pulled one from behind his back and fluffed it to no avail.
Vivienne chuckled. “Oh, Myles, you poor little dear. You’ve finally met a woman able to resist your enviable charms, and you fall daunted before the challenge. Where is your courage?”
“I have courage aplenty. You know she slashed me, don’t you?”
“I heard from Tavish it was a very tiny knife.”
He punched the cushion once more, then threw it to the floor. “Whose side are you on?” His voice held no heat.
Vivienne folded both hands over her heart, innocent as an angel. “I am on the side of love.”
A snort burned in his nose. “Love? By God, woman! You aim Cupid’s arrow too high. I would settle for cordial, but Fiona and I have reached an impasse, and I fear neither of us will budge.”
His aunt let loose a laugh. “You’ve been married now how many days? A week? And of those days, your nights have been spent either on the road or with your father. Honestly, it’s not like you to give up so easily.”
“I haven’t given up. I’m just not certain how to proceed with one as irrational as Fiona.”
“Why do men accuse women of being irrational simply because they don’t understand us? It’s unjust.”
She was not helping. “I’ve treated my wife more than fairly, Vivi. ’Tis she who’s run away, attacked me, and called me a liar. I fail to see how any of this is my fault.”
Vivienne patted his arm. “It’s not your fault, darling. And don’t despair. With a little coaxing, she will fall in love with you. I’m sure of it. And you’ll be a better man for having worked for it.”
He bristled slightly at her words. “I’m a good man now.”
Her smile was teasingly indulgent. “Of course. You’re a splendid man, brave and strong and chivalrous. You are also brusque and, if I might say so, a little arrogant.”
“Arrogant? Now, that’s unfair. I cannot defend myself and still proclaim humility.”
“No, you cannot.” She shook her head and laughed again. “Didn’t Tavish once call you a haughty pup with more wag than tail?”
“Not since I bested him with a sword.” He sat forward in the chair. He should have known she’d be a useless ally, pointing out his flaws instead of telling him how to defeat Fiona’s. “So, what would you suggest I do?” He could not keep the dryness from his voice.
Vivienne rearranged her silk skirts. “Be nice to her.”
Myles paused, waiting for an elaboration that never came.
“That’s it? That’s your sage advice? Be nice to her?”
“Yes. And be patient. The easiest course is often the best. Once she learns how kind you are, she’ll come around to the truth. You cannot force her to change her opinions, but give her time to see the error of her judgments. And until she does...just be nice.”
More lopsided women’s logic. “I’ve already been nice,” he snapped.
Vivienne sat up, her posture rigid. “By using tones such as that? I saw how you bungled things with her in your chamber, shooing the rest of us out like we were flies. Is that how you want your wife to see you treating women?”
“I was shooing you out so I could be alone with her.”
Vivienne sighed with feigned impatience. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Myles. Have you never caught a fish?”
What possible bearing could that have on this matter? He should leave now and break with this conversation. “Of course I have.”
“And did you take the bait and fling it at the fish’s head? No, of course not. You dipped your line into the water with a tempting morsel tied to the end, perhaps something shiny and intriguing. And then you waited and let the fish come to you. A woman is no different. Let her come to you, and she’ll be caught. But lose your patience, and you’ll have to start all over again.”
This was why women were not allowed on the battlefield. Such unorthodox tactics.
There was some sense to what she said, perhaps, but his patience and Fiona seemed always at odds with each other. Nonetheless, it was worth the smallest effort, for he had no greater alternatives. He picked up the lumpy cushion from the floor and tucked it back behind him. “I shall endeavor to be nice.”
“Excellent. Your natural charm is sure to win her over. In the meantime, you might show her around a bit. She’s seen little of Dempsey. Now that Cedric is feeling better, perhaps you could show her the gardens or take her to the village. And perhaps take Alyssa along. That should cheer Fiona.”
The village. Yes, that might work. He had business there to settle, and she could go along. With his father incapacitated, it fell to him to see that all was well with their tenants. He could take her this very afternoon.
He stood, feeling more optimistic than he had upon his entrance, and set about making plans to woo his wife.

Hasil (Bahasa Indonesia) 1:

MYLES menemukan dirinya sendiri di bibinya 's solar dan mengetuk kepada pintu.Darby dibuka, menyeringai luas untuk menunjukkan ruang baru di senyumnya."Myles, lihat, aku sudah kehilangan gigi." Ia berguling hal kecil antara jari."Jadi Anda memiliki." Myles tersenyum turun pada Atisha. "Anda terbaik akan pergi menguburkan sebelum penyihir menemukannya dan melemparkan mantra pada Anda."Darby memandang kepada ibunya.Vivienne mengangguk, menengadah dari menjahit nya. "Menguburkannya di kebun, dan Anda yakin untuk tumbuh besar dan kuat. Jalankan sekarang dan biarkan saya berbicara dengan Myles."Cepat percikan flint, anak itu pergi.Vivienne set nya jahitan berdasarkan pangkuannya dan menggosok bagian belakang lehernya. "Terima kebaikan untuk perusahaan Anda. Karya ini membosankan, dan aku tidak berbakat untuk itu."Myles menyeberangi kamar dan duduk di kursi bantalan di sampingnya. Seperti ibunya chamber, satu ini dihiasi dalam nuansa ungu dan merah muda pucat. Wanita harus lebih memilih bahwa ke merah dan emas maskulin dekorasi, meskipun ia tidak bisa membayangkan Fiona di seperti lembut pengaturan, atau menghabiskan berjam-jam nya di begitu ringan hobi.Ia menarik kain dari Vivienne di pangkuan untuk memeriksa jahitan nya tidak merata. "Anda tidak melebih-lebihkan. Ini adalah keahlian yang ceroboh."Dia disukai dengan panas dan merebut kembali kain, isian ke handbasket di dekat kakinya. "Saya ingin melihat Anda duduk di satu tempat selama jam setelah akhir, menusuk jari Anda dengan jarum sampai Anda berdarah."Dia tersenyum. "Yah, tidak ada masalah, kemudian. Jarum dimaksudkan untuk pergi ke kain, jari tidak."Dia berkedip padanya beberapa kali dalam pergantian yang cepat. "Penghibur harus gemetar ketakutan di kemegahan humor Anda."Ia menggeliat dengan sikap palsu. "Semua orang gemetar di keindahan. Dan para wanita juga. "Vivienne tersenyum ini dan bertepuk tangan tangan bersama-sama. "Berita yang indah, keponakan. Jadi semua berjalan dengan baik dengan pengantin Anda, kemudian?"Udara menggoda menekan dari paru-paru, dan ia merasa wajahnya jatuh. Ia berharap untuk pemanasan untuk topik ini, tidak gelombang dengan ada unsur perawatan. Tetapi tidak ada menghindari hal itu sekarang. Dia telah bertanya, seolah-olah dia merasakan Fiona adalah alasan untuk kunjungannya. Bibinya memiliki rasa yang luar biasa dengan burung hantu."Tidak, tidak baik. Sedikit saya lakukan atau katakan menyenangkan dirinya."Vivienne tertawa. "Dia tampak menarik bagi saya. Itu harus Anda yang masalah.""Anda melihat sisi yang berbeda dari dirinya."Vivienne miring kepalanya. "Berikan gadis beberapa waktu, Myles. Dia telah mengorbankan banyak, dan semua ini adalah memilih nya. Tetapi jika Anda kembali kucing ke sudut, itu akan mendesis dan melarikan diri. Anda tidak bisa memaksa istri."' Saya belum memaksanya dengan cara apapun. ' Tis justru sebaliknya, sebenarnya. Aku sudah hampir tidak menyentuh dia sejak malam pernikahan kami." Tuhan memiliki belas kasihan, dia tidak dimaksudkan untuk berbagi sebanyak. Jelas itu tidak ada bisnis dari Vivi. Sekarang dia tidak pernah akan mendengar akhir itu."Tidak menyentuh dia? Apa artinya?""Tidak." Apa yang baik yang bantal kursi ini? Mereka merasa keras seperti palu. Dia menarik dari belakang punggung dan fluffed itu tidak berhasil.Vivienne terkekeh. "Oh, Myles, miskin Anda sayang kecil. Anda akhirnya bertemu seorang wanita mampu menolak pesona Anda iri, dan Anda jatuh gentar sebelumnya tantangan. Dimana ada keberanian Anda?""Aku punya keberanian banyak. Kau tahu dia disayat saya, Jangan kau?""Saya mendengar dari Tavish itu sangat kecil pisau."Ia menekan bantal sekali lagi, lalu melemparkannya ke lantai. "Sisi yang Apakah Anda di?" Suaranya diadakan tidak panas.Vivienne kedua tangan dilipat hatinya, tidak bersalah seperti malaikat. "Aku di cinta."Snort dibakar di hidungnya. "Cinta? Oleh Allah, wanita! Anda bertujuan panah Cupid's terlalu tinggi. Saya akan puas dengan ramah, tapi Fiona dan saya telah mencapai jalan buntu, dan aku takut tidak kita akan bergerak."Bibinya melepaskan tertawa. "Anda sudah menikah sekarang berapa hari? Seminggu? Dan hari-hari, malam Anda telah dihabiskan di jalan atau dengan ayahmu. Jujur, hal ini tidak seperti Anda begitu mudah menyerah.""Saya belum menyerah. Aku hanya tidak yakin bagaimana untuk melanjutkan dengan satu sebagai irasional sebagai Fiona.""Mengapa men menuduh wanita menjadi irasional hanya karena mereka tidak memahami kita? Hal ini tidak adil."Dia tidak membantu. ' Aku telah memperlakukan saya istri lebih dari adil, Vivi. ' Tis dia yang dijalankan, menyerang saya, dan memanggil saya pembohong. Aku gagal untuk melihat bagaimana hal ini adalah salahku."Vivienne patted his arm. “It’s not your fault, darling. And don’t despair. With a little coaxing, she will fall in love with you. I’m sure of it. And you’ll be a better man for having worked for it.”He bristled slightly at her words. “I’m a good man now.”Her smile was teasingly indulgent. “Of course. You’re a splendid man, brave and strong and chivalrous. You are also brusque and, if I might say so, a little arrogant.”“Arrogant? Now, that’s unfair. I cannot defend myself and still proclaim humility.”“No, you cannot.” She shook her head and laughed again. “Didn’t Tavish once call you a haughty pup with more wag than tail?”“Not since I bested him with a sword.” He sat forward in the chair. He should have known she’d be a useless ally, pointing out his flaws instead of telling him how to defeat Fiona’s. “So, what would you suggest I do?” He could not keep the dryness from his voice.Vivienne rearranged her silk skirts. “Be nice to her.”Myles paused, waiting for an elaboration that never came.“That’s it? That’s your sage advice? Be nice to her?”“Yes. And be patient. The easiest course is often the best. Once she learns how kind you are, she’ll come around to the truth. You cannot force her to change her opinions, but give her time to see the error of her judgments. And until she does...just be nice.”More lopsided women’s logic. “I’ve already been nice,” he snapped.Vivienne sat up, her posture rigid. “By using tones such as that? I saw how you bungled things with her in your chamber, shooing the rest of us out like we were flies. Is that how you want your wife to see you treating women?”“I was shooing you out so I could be alone with her.”Vivienne sighed with feigned impatience. “Tsk, tsk, tsk, Myles. Have you never caught a fish?”What possible bearing could that have on this matter? He should leave now and break with this conversation. “Of course I have.”“And did you take the bait and fling it at the fish’s head? No, of course not. You dipped your line into the water with a tempting morsel tied to the end, perhaps something shiny and intriguing. And then you waited and let the fish come to you. A woman is no different. Let her come to you, and she’ll be caught. But lose your patience, and you’ll have to start all over again.”This was why women were not allowed on the battlefield. Such unorthodox tactics.There was some sense to what she said, perhaps, but his patience and Fiona seemed always at odds with each other. Nonetheless, it was worth the smallest effort, for he had no greater alternatives. He picked up the lumpy cushion from the floor and tucked it back behind him. “I shall endeavor to be nice.”“Excellent. Your natural charm is sure to win her over. In the meantime, you might show her around a bit. She’s seen little of Dempsey. Now that Cedric is feeling better, perhaps you could show her the gardens or take her to the village. And perhaps take Alyssa along. That should cheer Fiona.”The village. Yes, that might work. He had business there to settle, and she could go along. With his father incapacitated, it fell to him to see that all was well with their tenants. He could take her this very afternoon.
He stood, feeling more optimistic than he had upon his entrance, and set about making plans to woo his wife.