The Viking's Touch

For a moment or two Ingvar watched him go. ‘I shall take my leave, too, my lady. I would not wish to impose on your time.’ He summoned his escort and remounted his horse. Having done so, he reined in beside her. ‘When I return, I shall expect to find Lord Wulfgar gone.’

The subject of their conversation had reached the carpenter’s shop as Wulfgar rejoined the other three.

‘Everything all right, my lord?’ asked Thrand.

Wulfgar nodded. ‘Well enough.’

‘Are we right in thinking that was Lord Ingvar?’

‘You are.’

‘What did he want?’

‘To speed us on our way.’

The three men regarded him incredulously for a moment, then Asulf snorted.

‘I’d like to see him try.’

‘Maybe he will,’ said Thrand.

‘There’s always hope, eh?’

It elicited a laugh from the rest. Then they turned their attention back to the task in hand. As he worked, Wulfgar let his mind return to that recent encounter. He had learned early to read men and Ingvar presented no difficulty, nor did his ambitions with regard to Anwyn. A woman alone was exposed, especially one who was wealthy and beautiful. It was none of his business, of course. In a day or two he and his men would be on their way. All the same, he had no intention of being hurried towards departure, by Ingvar or anyone else.

Anwyn paced the floor of the bower, her face pale with anger as she recounted to Jodis the details of Lord Ingvar’s visit.

‘Insufferable man! Who does he think he is?’

‘He grows more confident, my lady.’

‘He has no right to be confident of me. Drakensburgh is mine now, and I will say who is welcome here and who is not.’

‘Perhaps it is as well our visitors do not stay long,’ said Jodis. ‘All the same, I fear their departure.’

Anwyn sighed and sank down on to a chair. ‘So do I.’

She did not want to think about what might happen when their restraining presence was gone. Lord Wulfgar’s face drifted into her mind. He, too, unsettled her, but the feelings his company gave rise to could not have been more different. She had known him only a day, but she knew she would never forget him. In that moment she envied him: how would it be to board a ship and sail away from Drakensburgh and never come back? How often she had dreamed of it in times past. Torstein would never so much as permit her to speak with a stranger, never mind go near a ship.

Once she had been naïve enough to think she might escape, to summon the courage to ask for a divorce. It was not uncommon and nor was it a difficult process to arrange. A woman might part from her husband and take her children with her, along with the goods and dowry she had brought to the marriage. That was the usual way of things. However, it hadn’t taken her long to realise that her husband would never agree to such a proceeding. The only other alternative would have been to run away but, even had it been practicable, Torstein would have hunted her to the ends of the earth and then exacted a dire retribution.

Perhaps he guessed her thought for escape had been well-nigh impossible. Her freedom was limited to the confines of the pale. On the rare occasions that she was permitted to travel beyond, it was always in his presence and with an armed escort. Though they looked their fill, his men did not address her unless it was absolutely necessary and then only in the briefest and most respectful of terms. It was more than their lives were worth to do other. For the rest, human contact was limited to the women servants. She was, effectively, a prisoner. Anwyn sighed. In many ways she still was. Had it not been for Ina, life would have been much more difficult.

Their friendship had been formed in her first winter at Drakensburgh when he had fallen ill with the ague. By dint of careful nursing and the right medicine he had recovered well. It was a kindness he had not forgotten. In the days immediately following Torstein’s death he had been an invaluable aide in helping to establish her authority among the men. Ina had made it quite clear that she had his full support and their respect for him compelled them to listen. Whatever doubts they might have entertained, they did not voice them aloud. However, she was in a precarious position and she knew it. Common sense dictated that the sensible course was to remarry, but to wed a man like Ingvar would be to leap from the cooking pot into the fire.

Revisiting that embarrassing encounter just now, she wondered what Lord Wulfgar had thought. It shouldn’t have mattered, but it did. Ingvar’s possessive anger had been thinly veiled. That in turn roused her own, as though she were somehow wrong-footed. Having reached peaceful agreement with the visiting force, it was infuriating to have her decision questioned like that, and by one who had no right to pronounce on the matter. Now she felt a need to put things straight again. Leaving Eyvind with Jodis, she left the bower and made for the workshop. She had no idea of what she was going to say when she got there, only knew that some form of words were necessary.

The sound of sawing and hammering drowned out her footsteps and for a little while he was unaware of her presence but, on turning to retrieve an adze, looked up and saw her there. His men exchanged knowing glances. Wulfgar paused, his face impassive. Had it been any other woman he might also have wondered at her motive for seeking him out again and, had the case stood as it so often had in the past, he would have followed up the invitation. What red-blooded man would not? However, she was as unlike those others as strong mead was to water. There was nothing remotely flirtatious in her manner; she made no attempt to attract or beguile. Moreover, she seemed to have no idea how successful a stratagem that was, unless of course she played a deeper game. Either way it was intriguing. Leaving his companions, he crossed the workshop to meet her. ‘My lady?’

‘I must speak with you, my lord.’ She hesitated. ‘Privately.’ He inclined his head in acquiescence. ‘As you wish.’ When they had walked sufficiently far to be out of earshot she turned to face him. He surveyed her speculatively, waiting, his curiosity thoroughly roused.

Anwyn drew a deep breath. ‘I wanted to apologise for what happened earlier.’

‘Why?’ he asked. ‘It wasn’t your fault.’ ‘Ingvar should not have spoken as he did.’ ‘Seemingly he misread the situation.’

‘I believe he did.’

Wulfgar eyed her coolly. ‘There is an understanding between the two of you?’

‘No, nothing like that. At least not on my part.’

‘Certainly on his, I would say.’

‘That is as may be, but I have given him no reason for encouragement.’

Wulfgar raised an eyebrow. ‘Then he takes much upon himself.’

‘You saw what happened in the bay.’

‘Why do you tell me these things?’

‘In truth I don’t know, except that I didn’t want you to think …’

‘What?’ he pursued.

‘That Ingvar spoke with any tacit support from me.’

‘I am honoured by your confidence, my lady, but I don’t quite see how all this concerns me.’

A rosy flush crept into her cheeks. ‘Forgive me, I did not mean to involve you in my affairs. I merely wished to … to explain.’

He regarded her steadily for a moment. ‘You know, of course, that a man like Ingvar will not give up easily?’

‘Yes, I know.’

‘A widow’s life must be lonely. He is strong and could protect you. Perhaps you should consider his offer.’

‘Lonely or not, I will never give Ingvar a husband’s authority over me.’

The words, spoken with quiet vehemence, elicited a quizzical look. ‘Do you object so strongly to a husband’s authority, then?’

‘I would object to any authority that is based on tyranny. Ingvar is of that kind, and I will never put myself or my son in his power. Nor will I have the people here subjected to the tender mercies of Grymar and his men.’

‘I can understand why you might not wish to. However, such men tend to take what they want.’

‘He will not take Drakensburgh. I have already given him my reply and I stand by it.’

Wulfgar met her eye and held it. ‘When it comes to the crunch, words have no power. Only swords and superior numbers will stop men like Ingvar.’

Anwyn pondered over that conversation later and privately acknowledged the truth of it. That led to other, more worrying thoughts. After her husband’s death some of the men had chosen to move on. Their departure left roughly thirty; not enough to stop Ingvar if he decided on the use of strength to achieve his aim. It seemed she was not alone in the thought.

‘If only Drakensburgh had a larger force of men under arms,’ said Jodis later when the two of them were alone in the women’s bower.

‘It would make us independent of Grymar and men like him,’ replied Anwyn.

The maid laid aside the distaff on which she had been winding wool. Although her expression was hesitant, it was clear she had something to impart.

‘What is it, Jodis?’

‘Forgive me, my lady, but it seems to me that you have the means to do that now.’

Anwyn stared at her. Then understanding dawned. ‘You refer to Lord Wulfgar and his men.’

‘Aye, my lady. With their numbers added to ours …’

‘We would be safe?’

‘Would we not?’

‘Perhaps. There’s just one difficulty attaching to all this.’

‘What is that, my lady?’

‘They would never agree to stay.’

‘They might … if they were paid enough.’

Anwyn shook her head. ‘It’s a crazy idea.’

‘Maybe so, but it’s also a perfect solution to the problem.’ Jodis paused. ‘Lord Ingvar would be out of your life for good.’

‘If only it were so simple.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘He would not give up so easily,’ replied Anwyn.

‘He might have no choice if the odds were too great.’

‘It might take a long time to convince him of that. Meanwhile, the services of seasoned warriors do not come cheaply.’

‘No, but Earl Torstein was rich.’

For a moment Anwyn said nothing, turning over the possibilities in her mind. What her companion said was true; her late husband had gold, though she had never enquired exactly how much. In marrying her he took a wealthy bride, for her dowry had been considerable. To the best of her knowledge the greater part yet remained. It should be more than enough on its own.

‘The money could likely be found,’ she said, ‘but hiring such men brings its own risk.’

‘How do you mean, my lady?’

‘We do not know if Lord Wulfgar is to be trusted.’

‘Has he done anything to make you think he cannot?’

‘No, but it is not in his interest to cause trouble here. Drakensburgh is a means to an end for him.’

‘So it could be again, but this time for gold—a business arrangement.’

‘A business arrangement that would give him great power.’

The maid regarded her sympathetically. ‘I understand why you hesitate, my lady, but all men cannot be judged by Earl Torstein’s standards, or Lord Ingvar’s, either.’

‘It may be so. I wouldn’t know.’ Anwyn sighed. ‘However, what’s past cannot be amended. I am free of the brute my father chained me to, and I will not exchange him for another.’

Jodis looked hurt. ‘My lady, if I thought Lord Wulfgar such another I would never have suggested this idea.’

‘I am sure you meant well. It matters not in any case; he’d never agree to such a scheme. He’s an adventurer, a man who values his freedom. He’d never saddle himself with this.’

‘No, perhaps not.’ Jodis sighed and retrieved the distaff, carefully winding on more wool. ‘It was just an idea.’

They lapsed into silence after this but, although she tried to dismiss it, Anwyn found that the idea persisted. What if she were to hire the services of the mercenary force? How long would they be prepared to remain? More to the point, how long would she be able to pay them? Long enough for Ingvar to give up hope and find another rich wife instead? Or at least to give up hope of Drakensburgh? That would be a desperate gamble. Torstein had been wealthy, but the gold was not inexhaustible. The Sea Wolf’s crew would indeed command large sums for their services.

And then there was Lord Wulfgar. He disturbed her more than she cared to admit, though she could not have said precisely why. In him were depths she could not sound. The man was a mass of contradictions. Something about him suggested danger, but not in any familiar sense of the word. His manner was direct and assured but, despite the predatory nickname, it was not that of an obvious aggressor. At the same time she knew instinctively that it would be a serious error to cross him. Only a fool would do that, and then only once. If he agreed to help her, she certainly wouldn’t make that mistake. She had no wish to earn his enmity. Besides, if she hired his services he would take orders from her. She smiled in self-mockery. It was ridiculous to let her mind range so far ahead. Only a fool would imagine that such a man would involve himself in the affairs of a woman. And only a coward would avoid sounding him out.

Chapter Six

He heard her out in silence, his face impassive. She had not known what to expect for he was skilled at hiding his thoughts; but at least she was spared any appearance of scorn. Somehow her voice remained level as she outlined the proposal, giving no indication of the thumping heart within her breast. No indication either of how keenly this invited proximity disturbed her equilibrium. Nothing in his manner suggested that this interview was having the least effect on him; he seemed to take it in his stride, like everything else he did.

They were standing in the hall, ordinarily a place she avoided whenever possible for its old associations with Torstein. Yet somehow the presence of this stranger drove the shadows back; he dominated the space and made it his own. While he was there she felt no desire to leave. Besides, as the heart of Drakensburgh, the hall seemed a fit setting for this conversation. She had ordered that the fire be remade, and the warm light did much to lift the gloom from the atmosphere. All the same, it could not dispel her inner trepidation. Would he even consider this scheme?

When at length she finished speaking he said nothing for a moment, only continued to regard her steadily. Her heart sank. He was going to refuse and now sought a means of letting her down gently.

‘Such a decision is not mine to make alone,’ he said. ‘I would need to put the idea to my men.’

As swiftly as it had sunk her heart leapt. He was not turning this down out of hand. The sudden expression of hope in her eyes had not gone unnoticed.

‘I told you that we were on our way to join Rollo before the storm delayed us.’

‘Yes.’

‘Such an alliance promises to be lucrative.’

‘I realise that.’

‘Then you will also realise that my crew would need to be sure the reward was sufficient to justify this change of plan,’ he continued. ‘That would be expensive.’

‘I know, but I am not without the means to pay for the services that Drakensburgh needs.’

‘They won’t consider it for less than ten gold pieces per man.’

Anwyn blinked. It was going to come to an eye-watering total, but worth the cost if it achieved her aim.

‘Very well.’

He nodded slowly. ‘You also need to understand what it means to start something like this. Ingvar won’t bow out gracefully. Things are likely to get unpleasant.’

‘I understand that, too.’

‘Do you?’ The blue gaze locked with hers. ‘I wonder.’

‘I know what Ingvar is.’

‘Good, because I can assure you that all pretence of neighbourliness is going to vanish as though it had never been.’

‘I have no wish to play the role of aggressor. What I want is a trained force that will be strong enough to act as a deterrent against aggression.’

‘A comfortable ideal,’ he replied.

‘You think it won’t work.’

‘I didn’t say that, but there’s a real risk that such a force would be tested at least once before the enemy understood its strength and backed off.’

‘Bloodshed must be a last resort.’

‘Of course. Even so, the affair will likely be protracted.’

‘That is a chance I am prepared to take.’

‘But I am not.’

Her heart sank again. ‘Not?’

‘The extent of my commitment here would be to train up a force sufficient to the task of protecting Drakensburgh. It might extend to leaving a few of my men here to oversee things, if they were willing to stay.’

‘They would be well paid.’

‘They would need to be.’ He paused. ‘Then there is the matter of your late husband’s men.’

‘What about them?’

‘If I stay, they will take their orders from me.’

For a moment Anwyn was silent. ‘They may resent that.’

‘Nevertheless, that’s how it will be. Without a force united under one commander there is no hope of prevailing against the likes of Ingvar and his henchman.’ He paused. ‘This point is not negotiable.’

Her brow wrinkled a little. To consent to this condition would effectively put Drakensburgh in his power. However, she needed his help and to get it she would have to trust him. ‘If I agree to this, I want to be informed of your plans before you carry them out.’

‘You have that right.’

‘Very well, then—it is agreed. You will command both forces.’ She regarded him steadily. ‘Ina is greatly respected among the men here. If you would win them over, first begin with him.’

‘I shall heed your advice, my lady.’ The sober tone was at distinct variance with the glint in his eye and she wondered now if he were gently mocking her. ‘Does it irk you that a woman should offer advice?’ ‘By no means,’ he replied, ‘when the advice is good.’ The blue gaze was now closely focused on her face. Her heart thumped harder. Forcing herself to an outward expression of calm, she returned the look, hoping he could not read her confused thoughts just then. He already had too dangerous an advantage.

‘Will you speak to your men, then, my lord?’ ‘I’ll speak to them, but I cannot promise that they’ll agree.’ ‘But you are their chief, are you not?’ ‘Aye, but decisions like this are reached by consensus.’ Privately she owned to surprise. Most commanders did not consult in that way. It gave another insight into his mind and confirmed the thought that he was unlike anyone she had ever met. Her experience in these matters was not great, but she knew that men remained loyal to leaders they respected, and such respect had to be earned. He had not won his reputation for nothing. Once again she had the sense of hidden danger, but it remained undefined.

‘I will speak to them later,’ he continued. ‘When I know their mind I will tell you.’

He left her then and for some time she remained where she was, deep in thought. Were her instincts correct? Could she trust him? Or was she making an error that would cost her dear in every sense of the word?

Wulfgar waited until after the evening meal before broaching the subject with his crew. They had built a fire of driftwood to keep off the evening chill, sitting around it and swapping tales over a cup of ale. They listened attentively while he outlined Anwyn’s proposal, though many faces registered surprise. Others registered more knowing looks.

‘Well, I can see your reasoning, my lord,’ said a wag from the crowd. ‘The lady is fair.’

‘Fair game?’ asked another.

That drew guffaws of laughter. Wulfgar smiled wryly. ‘The lady is fair,’ he agreed, ‘and game enough as we have seen, though no game for you, Dag.’

More laughter followed this.

Dag looked mournful. ‘The story of my life.’

‘Got designs on her yourself, my lord?’ asked Thrand.

‘It would do me no good if I had,’ said Wulfgar. ‘The lady is proof against my charms.’

Several ribald comments followed this, chiefly concerning the nature of his charms, but he bore it good-humouredly. When they saw he was proof against their baiting they left off.

‘What about Rollo?’ asked Beorn.

‘We can still join him when the repairs are complete, if you so decide,’ replied Wulfgar, ‘or we can meet him later.’

‘He may not take kindly to the delay, my lord.’

‘Rollo’s emotions don’t enter into it. Our alliance with him was discussed because it would be to our mutual advantage. The day it isn’t, the agreement ceases to exist. In the meantime, if we choose to earn ourselves some extra gold, it’s none of his affair.’

Murmurs of agreement greeted this.

‘How much gold exactly?’ asked Beorn.

‘Ten pieces for each man, plus food and board, of course.’

They digested this in thoughtful silence. Then Hermund spoke up.

‘Why not? One more job makes no odds. Rollo will still be there afterwards, won’t he?’

‘That’s right,’ said Thrand. ‘Besides, this shouldn’t be too hard.’

Hermund met his eye. ‘Don’t underestimate the enemy. Ingvar’s force is not small, as we’ve seen.’

‘Maybe not, but we’re more than a match for them. Besides, I’m looking forward to meeting Grymar Big Mouth again. Then we can talk about trespassing.’

His companions muttered agreement. Wulfgar surveyed them keenly.

‘All right, let’s come to an accord. All those in favour of remaining here a while, raise your hands …’

It was a unanimous vote in favour of remaining. He wasn’t surprised. As a business decision it made sense. Such a sum was more than most men would see in a lifetime. All the same, he felt a certain ambivalence about it, which had nothing to do with the nature of the task or with the reward they would receive. It was concerned with his own motives for agreeing to put the scheme to his men in the first place. This was a private matter and therefore none of his affair. So why had he allowed himself to be drawn in?

Recalling the recent jibes from his men, he began to wonder. Surely it wasn’t just on account of a beautiful woman, though Anwyn was certainly that. In truth, she was a lot more than that; she was the kind of woman who was capable of making a man forget everything else. When he’d been with her earlier he had schooled his face for fear she should glimpse the thoughts behind. He knew that she was lonely. It was an emotion he recognised, and indeed she had admitted as much. Might she not be willing to take comfort where it was offered, as he had on other occasions, and without any fear of suffering a husband’s tyranny? If he’d seen any sign of mutual interest … However, she had given no such sign. Neither would she. Theirs was purely a business arrangement. He smiled wryly. She was probably right; anything else would lead only to the kind of complications that neither of them needed.

The following day he and a dozen men returned to Drakensburgh. Telling them to wait outside, Wulfgar went to the hall and sent a servant to find Anwyn. As the woman hurried off, he looked about him. Though the hall was unchanged in essentials the fire had been lit again and, from the sweeter smell, he thought that new straw had been spread upon the floor. It was a considerable improvement. He let his gaze roam past the fire to the dais and the carved chair that surmounted it. Recalling Asulf’s words, Wulfgar smiled to himself. It might not be a throne, but it was a statement of power. What manner of man had its former owner been? Anwyn had said little about her late husband, and those details he had gleaned from their conversations gave him to think that the relationship had not been happy. Perhaps that accounted for her reticence.

The sound of light footsteps carried on the quiet air, and he turned to see the subject of his thoughts. At once everything else went out of his head. Watching her now, he took in the details. The colour of her gown reminded him of forest leaves in summer, a shade that became her exceeding well. Unbidden his imagination removed it to dwell on the shapely form beneath. The result was a surge of warmth in the region of his loins. He drew a deep breath and forced his thoughts into less dangerous channels.