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‘Not even for a free drink,’ replied Ingolf.
‘Quite right. We’d be about as welcome as pox in a whorehouse.’
The men laughed and, as the group rode on, the talk turned to other things. Leif took no part in it, being otherwise preoccupied. His brother’s facetious question had proved oddly unsettling. In spite of being kept busy from daylight till dusk ever since his arrival, Leif still hadn’t been able to put Astrid entirely out of his mind. She lingered there on the edge of consciousness, only to return in force at those odd moments when he was forking hay or mending a fence and he had let his thoughts drift. She returned at night too after he’d retired, her violet eyes holding sleep at bay. Then he’d remember that brief stolen kiss and the scent and taste of her...
‘Are you all right?’ asked Finn.
Leif looked up quickly. ‘Of course. Why?’
‘You seemed miles away.’ His brother grinned, jerking his head towards the northern boundary. ‘Miles that way, perhaps?’
The reply was succinct and deeply insulting. Finn laughed out loud.
* * *
Astrid avoided her uncle as far as possible and, for the first few days after her return, kept to the bower and immediate environs. However, confinement grew tedious and she began to take a walk each day, re-familiarising herself with the place. Her uncle permitted these excursions but there were always a couple of his men in sight too. His trust only extended so far. It did nothing to improve her mood. Preparations were already underway for the wedding: her uncle was planning a great feast in honour of the occasion and, no doubt, to impress the noble guests who would attend. Three whole hogs were to be roasted, along with haunches of venison and dozens of chickens. The slaughterers were already busy. Her uncle’s fish traps would provide carp, tench and pike. The bakers had been ordered to make scores of loaves; the brewers gallons of ale and mead.
However, it wasn’t the thought of all the food which made Astrid feel queasy. It was the wedding night that preyed continually on her mind and the thought of that unwanted intimacy. She closed her eyes, seeing the barn, the empty stall and her cousin with his breeches open to reveal the swollen jutting spear within. She had stared at it in horrified fascination. He grinned. ‘Wouldn’t you like to feel this inside you?’ Appalled, she had shaken her head and backed away but he grabbed hold of her arm. ‘Come now, you know you want to.’ Swiftly she’d bent her head and sank her teeth into his hand. He cursed but his hold slackened and she tore free of him and ran. She never spoke of it afterwards. It would have caused uproar and it would have been her word against his in any case. All the same, she avoided her cousin whenever possible and when it wasn’t she made sure they were never alone. Disgust was harder to shake off, but as time went on, the incident was relegated to the back of her mind.
She wasn’t entirely sure why it had returned now, except perhaps that, like her marriage, it had involved coercion. She was a grown woman who knew the facts of life, and marriage was one of them. That was all very well when there was mutual consent, but being treated as a chattel was something else, and every instinct rebelled against it. Not that her uncle would care for that. He had the authority to determine her fate and he would make her submit one way or another. She would be forced to marry Gulbrand. There was no other choice now.
No other choice? For perhaps the hundredth time she relived that last conversation with Leif. If you come with me it will be with your eyes open. Having taken a high moral stance over that and spoken about honourable marriage, the same institution was about to be used by her uncle to prostitute her to Gulbrand. How amused Leif would be if he knew. Tears prickled behind her eyelids. He would not promise what he wasn’t prepared to deliver and, possibly, their time together might have been fleeting. I follow the whale road. All the same, she suspected now that a few months with him would be worth a lifetime with Gulbrand. If she had to choose again...
The sound of distant hoofbeats brought her back to reality and she stopped in surprise to see a column of horsemen approaching. There had to be fifty at least. They were too far away for her to make out details but their presence made her uneasy. Could Gulbrand have arrived early? While she didn’t much care for the implications, it was important to find out. Stepping into the lee of the brew house where she could watch unnoticed, she waited.
The column drew nearer, light glinting off helmets and spears. This was the retinue of a nobleman, and one of some importance. It had to be Gulbrand. Astrid’s stomach knotted. The sound of horses’ hoofs and jingling harness grew louder and details began to come into focus. She frowned, her gaze fixed on the man in front. Hakke! Despite her relatively secluded position she stepped back quickly, not wishing to attract his notice. What in the name of all the Aesir was he doing there? She wasn’t naïve enough to suppose it was merely on account of her forthcoming marriage to his cousin.
As the leading riders drew rein in front of the hall Hakke dismounted and Jarl Einar hurried forwards to meet his guest. The two men exchanged a few words and then went inside together. Feeling much disturbed Astrid stayed out of sight and took the long route back to the bower.
She was passing the back of the weaving shed when a servant stepped out in front of her. Astrid checked mid-stride to avoid a collision. The man bowed.
‘Beg pardon, my lady.’
Her heart leapt towards her throat as she recognised the voice. It couldn’t be. She must be imagining things. Her startled gaze scanned the plain homespun garb but the face under the hood was unmistakable like the smile greeting her now. She returned it, albeit somewhat tremulously.
‘Leif! What are you doing here?’
‘I came to see you.’
She glanced furtively over her shoulder, hoping they were not observed. ‘You must be mad.’
‘Perhaps. All I know is that I can’t get you out of my mind. I had to come.’
‘You took a terrible chance.’
‘Not so terrible.’
‘How on earth did you know where to find me?’
‘I’ve been watching the place for a couple of days, waiting for an opportunity to speak with you.’
‘It’s too dangerous for you to be here.’
‘Would it be a matter for concern, then, if I were caught?’
‘Of course it would. How can you ask that?’ She took another swift look around but there was no one else in evidence. Relief mingled with a raft of other emotions.
‘I needed to know.’ He stepped closer, letting his hands ride her waist.
Her heartbeat accelerated. ‘Please, just tell me what you came to say and then get out of here while you still can.’
‘Do you want to marry Gulbrand?’
‘My wishes were never consulted when my uncle arranged this match. The alliance is dear to his heart.’
‘You haven’t answered the question.’
A lump formed in her throat and she looked away.
‘Astrid?’
‘No, I don’t want to marry him.’
‘Then don’t.’ He paused. ‘My offer still stands.’
‘This isn’t fair, Leif.’
‘Fairness doesn’t enter into it, not with men like Einar and Gulbrand. They’ll have you bound fast—if you allow it.’
‘You make it sound like a simple choice.’
‘It is a simple choice, but only you can make it.’
She took a deep breath, trying to order a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts, torn between fear and wanting. Not so very long ago she’d believed this chance lost for ever, and regretted her decision—yet now he’d come back to offer her a lifeline and she was hesitating. It made no sense. Either she was going to trust him or she wasn’t. He had been honest with her so far. Now she needed to be honest with herself.
‘Then I choose you.’
For a moment he was quite still. If she hadn’t known better she would have said he was surprised. Then he bent and kissed her, a gentle salute that set every nerve tingling. ‘I am honoured.’
‘What now, Leif?’
‘Now I must make arrangements to get you safe away from here.’
‘Where will we go?’
‘To my estate in Agder.’
‘Overland?’
‘Only as far as the coast. We’ll take a ship from there.’
‘If we are overtaken...’
‘We won’t be. Your uncle will have no idea where you’ve gone.’
‘It isn’t just him, Leif. Prince Hakke arrived today, along with a large escort.’
He frowned. ‘Hakke, here? Are you certain?’
‘Quite certain. I’d know him anywhere.’
‘That’s something I could have done without.’
‘I don’t like it either. The wedding isn’t for another five days yet. Why should he be so early?’
‘Keep your ear to the ground and see what you can find out.’
She nodded.
‘As soon as all the arrangements are in place I’ll get word to you,’ he continued. ‘Two days at most.’
‘I’ll be ready.’
He stayed just long enough for a parting kiss and then left her. Astrid watched until he was out of sight among the trees. Then the enormity of the decision she had just made set in. It felt terrifying—and yet, oddly, it also felt right. If she were offered a chance to retract and change her mind she wouldn’t do it. Her imagination didn’t extend quite as far as sharing Leif’s bed. She would cross that bridge later.
* * *
When Leif returned to his own hall he lost no time in finding Finn and Erik. First and foremost he needed to take them into his confidence. They heard him in silent astonishment.
‘You’re planning to steal Gulbrand’s bride?’ said Erik.
‘That’s right.’
Finn regarded his brother in grudging admiration. ‘I’ve got to hand it to you, Leif. When you think of a wild idea there’s no limit to your imagination, is there?’
‘There will be nothing wild about it. On the contrary; it will need to be planned and executed with meticulous care.’
‘More likely we’ll be the ones executed with meticulous care.’
‘Why so?’
‘The royal house of Vingulmark is still smarting over its defeat at Eid and the deaths of two princes of the blood. Hakke is robbed of a bride and now you propose to do the like to Gulbrand.’ Finn paused. ‘Are you serious?’
‘Never more so.’
‘I thought you’d given up on this one.’
‘So did I but, as it turns out, I can’t.’ Leif still didn’t know exactly why and so further explanation was impossible.
Finn sighed. ‘I don’t suppose there’s anything that I can say to change your mind, then?’
‘Nothing.’ Leif paused. ‘I’ll understand if you want no part of this.’
‘I’m your brother. I’m already part of it.’
Erik nodded. ‘We’re kin and kin stick together. Besides, we swore an oath as sword brothers.’
‘That we did,’ replied Finn. ‘So if you have a plan whereby we can sneak past Einar’s men, snatch the woman, defeat Hakke’s fifty guards and get away to Agder with a whole skin we’d really like to hear it.’
Leif gave them a wry smile. ‘As a matter of fact I’ve given some thought to that.’
‘Oh, good. For a while there I was afraid we’d have to improvise.’
Chapter Five
Much to Astrid’s relief she was not bidden to attend her uncle or his guest that day or the next and the two men remained closeted together for much of the time. It suited her well enough. Since her conversation with Leif she had been living in a state of suppressed nervous tension and dreaded that her uncle might intuit something amiss. Let him think she was resigned to the match with Gulbrand. If things went according to plan she would be away and clear before anyone knew she was gone.
She hadn’t let herself think further ahead than that; to try and imagine what her life might be like afterwards. If anyone had told her that one day she would be a kept woman, and by choice, she’d have been shocked beyond measure. Now it seemed the only possible course of action. If she had to belong to a man then she would choose Leif and trust that her faith wasn’t misplaced.
When she had given her consent to this she had half expected a triumphant smile from him but it hadn’t happened. His reaction was not of a man taking a whore into his keeping but rather of a nobleman paying court to a lady. Would he treat her with the same consideration in bed? This was a part of the agreement that her mind had glossed over but reality was about to catch up. She would have to give herself to him and, possibly, feign enjoyment. That last sat ill with her because she didn’t want to practise deception with Leif. Perhaps time would help there. Perhaps when she became accustomed to him and her new role—
Her train of thought was broken as the door opened to admit Dalla. ‘Here’s such a to do, my lady. More of Prince Hakke’s men arriving and the servants running around like witless chickens.’
Astrid’s stomach lurched. ‘More of the prince’s men?’
‘Two ships’ crews just sighted. They’ll be here in minutes.’
‘Is Gulbrand with them?’
‘I don’t know, my lady.’
‘Can you try and find out?’
‘Of course.’ Dalla shook her head. ‘It looks as though your uncle intends this wedding to be memorable.’
Astrid frowned. Her uncle never did anything without a reason, and even a wedding didn’t seem to account for such a huge influx of men. The impression was reinforced when, ten minutes later, the newcomers arrived. She and Dalla watched from a distance as the column approached. It bristled with spears. Every man there wore mail and was armed to the teeth besides.
‘Mercenaries,’ murmured Astrid.
‘What are they doing here?’
‘I don’t know but I’d be prepared to swear it has nothing to do with the wedding celebrations.’
‘I’m inclined to think you’re right.’
Astrid watched with misgivings as row upon row of warriors marched in. No green boys these, she decided. They were men grown, seasoned fighters by the look of them, the kind who’d kill without a qualm. She estimated at least a hundred. Their leader was a burly hatchet-faced individual whose dark beard was plaited and interwoven with a strip of red cloth.
‘That’s Steingrim out in front,’ said Dalla. ‘The one-eyed brute on his right is Thorkill. They’ve been here before.’
