Читать книгу Defiant in the Viking's Bed - Joanna Fulford - Страница 12

Chapter Three

Two days later the first group of guests departed. Now that the wedding celebrations were over the rest would be gone soon enough and life would settle back into its familiar routine. Once Astrid would have felt content with that, but now it induced very different thoughts. Chief among them was restlessness. It had no apparent cause but it was no less strong for that. Perhaps it was a natural consequence of the recent excitement and festivity; one felt the lack when it ended.

She turned away but, unwilling to return to the hall or the bower, headed in the opposite direction instead. A walk might help dispel her present mood. She was so absorbed in thought that she didn’t notice the man until she was almost upon him. When she realised who it was she would have retraced her steps—but by then it was too late.

Leif smiled. ‘This is a pleasant surprise.’

She eyed him askance. ‘A surprise, my lord?’

‘All right, I admit I followed you. Or rather I watched to see which way you were going and then took a short cut.’

‘Why?’

‘I missed your company.’

‘I find that hard to believe.’

‘It’s true. Besides, we never got to finish our conversation the other night.’

‘I believe we did.’

‘If I have offended you I’m sorry for it.’

‘Forget it.’

‘I wish it were that easy. As it is I’ve thought of nothing else.’ He paused. ‘We need to talk, Astrid.’

Her pulse quickened. ‘Everything needful has been said.’

‘No, it hasn’t.’

He surveyed her steadily, waiting. She sighed. Since he wasn’t going to be dissuaded the quickest way to end this might be to let him say his piece. ‘Very well.’

‘I apologise if my manners have seemed rough; it is the result of having spent too long among fighting men. I am out of practice when it comes to gentler speech.’

‘Yes, you are, but it is no matter.’

‘Well, some things are best spoken directly.’

‘Speak, then.’

‘In a few days’ time I leave for my estate in Vingulmark. The place has been left in the hands of a steward and there are many matters requiring my attention.’

The news created a flood of unexpected emotions. After this they really would not meet again. She realised she was going to miss him rather more than she’d thought. ‘Yes, I can see that.’

‘Come with me.’

She stared at him. ‘What?’

‘Come with me, Astrid.’

‘You must be crazy.’

‘Perhaps. What I do know is that I don’t want to leave you behind; that I want you with me.’

His arm slipped around her waist and then he was very much closer. She could feel the warmth of him, breathe his scent. The pulse became a drumbeat. She felt his lips brush hers, light, tentative. The touch sent a shiver through her that was not entirely to do with fear. The kiss became a little more assertive, more seductive, coaxing her mouth open, allowing his tongue to tease hers, persuasive and infinitely more dangerous, awakening sensations she had never known existed. His hold tightened and the kiss became intimate. She could feel the start of his arousal. Desire was replaced by something very like panic and she tensed, turning her head aside.

He drew back a little to look into her face. ‘What are you afraid of, Astrid? You cannot believe I would hurt you.’

She shook her head, not in agreement but in denial, knowing instinctively that he had the power to hurt her very badly. She wasn’t the woman he really wanted.

‘Well, then, what is it?’

‘I won’t go with you to Vingulmark.’

‘Why not?’

‘How can you ask that?’

‘You know how I feel about you, and I think you are not indifferent to me.’

‘You’re wrong.’

‘You’re a poor liar, Astrid.’

‘It’s not a lie.’

‘No? Then look at me and tell me you feel nothing.’

Her gaze met his and yielded. ‘I confess I do like you, and I have enjoyed your company, but there is no future in this. You know that as well as I.’

‘All I know is that I haven’t been able to put you out of my mind since first we met. When I’m awake I think of you; when I sleep you fill my dreams.’

‘I cannot do what you’re asking.’

‘You have no reason to be afraid. I would treat you well; whatever you desire you shall have if it be in my power to give it.’

‘Will you offer me honourable marriage, Leif?’

‘In my experience there is precious little honour to be found there, and I will not deal in false promises.’ His gaze never wavered. ‘I have already intimated as much.’

‘So you did, and I am grateful for that honesty.’

‘I don’t want your gratitude, Astrid. I want you, but I would not have any pretence between us. If you come with me it will be with your eyes open.’

‘They are open and I’m not coming with you.’ You love someone else, she thought.

‘You don’t have to make up your mind now. Take some time. Think it over.’

‘There is nothing to think over. I will not be any man’s whore.’

With that she stepped away from him and hurried away down the path. For a moment or two he watched her go, strongly tempted to fetch her back and at the same time knowing he wouldn’t. What he wanted from her could not be compelled. It still surprised him that he did want her that much. His offer had been an impulse and yet he couldn’t regret making it, even if she had turned him down flat. Realistically he ought to have been better prepared for that. It was also ridiculous to feel quite so disappointed by her refusal.

* * *

Astrid reached the buildings a short time later, barely registering the lathered horses or the group of men outside the hall. She had no wish to see anyone until she had recovered her composure so she ducked around the corner and headed for the bower. The encounter with Leif had left her shaken for many reasons, not least because he was right; she was not indifferent to him. His kiss lingered still. The strength of the attraction she had felt in that brief embrace was profoundly shocking and it could only lead to disaster. Thank all the gods that good sense had prevailed.

On reaching the bower she bathed her face and tidied her hair, by which time she was calmer and better able to face the world. She was about to leave when the door opened to admit Ragnhild. When she saw Astrid she smiled.

‘I hoped I might find you here.’

‘Forgive me. I went for a walk...’

‘Then you will not have heard.’

‘Heard what, Highness?’

‘Your uncle is but lately arrived.’

Astrid stared at her in dismay. ‘My uncle? What is he doing here?’

‘I imagine he will tell you that himself. He wishes to speak with you.’ Ragnhild paused. ‘I wanted to prepare you first.’

‘I thank you. It was a kind thought.’

‘He is in the hall.’

* * *

Astrid paused on the threshold, surveying the newcomers uneasily. There were half a dozen of them, all slaking their thirst with ale. However, she had no problem locating the burly figure of her uncle. Although only just above the average height, he was powerfully built, reminding her of nothing so much as an old bear. Foreboding grew. Then, taking a deep breath, she went in.

Her uncle failed to notice her until his companion gave a discreet cough alerting him to her presence. He looked round. Cunning dark eyes subjected her to a cool and thorough appraisal. Then he nodded in grudging approval.

‘Well, well. The cygnet has become a swan.’

She dropped a polite curtsy. ‘Your visit is an unexpected surprise, my lord.’

‘No doubt.’

‘May I ask what brings you here?’

‘You do.’ He drained his cup and tossed it to a servant. ‘I am come to take you back to Vingulmark.’

Her stomach lurched. ‘My lord?’

‘I have found a husband for you. You’re to be married.’

It was like being punched and, for a moment or two, speech was impossible. The piercing gaze fixed her.

‘Why do you stare at me, girl?’

There were many things she might have said, all of them angry and all of them unwise since their utterance would only create a public scene. Instead she strove for self-control.

‘Forgive me. I...I was just taken by surprise, that’s all.’

He grunted. ‘No doubt. Possibly you thought I had forgotten the matter entirely.’ Without waiting for a reply he continued, ‘I will admit it should have happened sooner, but I have been occupied with other things. However, it has turned out well enough. Your future husband is connected to the most influential family in Vingulmark.’

Astrid licked dry lips. ‘May I know his name?’

‘Of course. You are to marry Jarl Gulbrand.’

She controlled resentment and a sensation of rising panic. Her uncle had spoken the truth. Gulbrand did indeed have a noble name: he was related to the royal house. He was also Prince Hakke’s cousin and, like his cousin, he had an unsavoury reputation, on the battlefield and off it.

‘When is this marriage to take place?’

‘Next month.’

‘But that’s barely two weeks away.’

‘Time enough. We leave tomorrow.’

‘I cannot go so soon. I have duties here.’

The dark eyes narrowed. ‘Your duties here are over. Be ready to leave first thing in the morning.’

It was dismissal. Astrid made her escape from the hall, her mind reeling. Ragnhild caught up with her outside.

‘I’m so sorry, Astrid. It has come as a shock to me too.’

‘Is there no way this can be prevented?’

‘I wish there were, but your uncle is your guardian, not I.’

‘Might not the king intervene?’

‘He has no more jurisdiction in this than I do.’

Astrid blinked back angry tears. ‘Then I am well and truly lost.’

* * *

When Leif looked around the hall that evening he could see no sign of the one he sought. He wondered if she were avoiding him but then decided it was unlikely, since Ragnhild wasn’t present either. No doubt Astrid was keeping her company. All the same, it was frustrating and, if he were honest, disappointing too. Her absence cast an unexpected pall over the proceedings. Until then he hadn’t realised how much he had been hoping to see her; to speak with her; to try and persuade her...

‘What in the name of Tyr One-Hand is he doing here?’

Finn’s voice roused him from his reverie and he followed his brother’s gaze across the hall. Seeing Jarl Einar, he frowned. The jarl’s estates in Vingulmark might be close to Leif’s own lands, but that was the sole extent of their neighbourliness. While there hadn’t been open hostility as such, it was well known that many of Einar’s associates were connected with the royal house of Vingulmark. The defeat at Eid must have come as a blow. He could not have foreseen that, or the subsequent turn of events, when he placed his niece with Sigurd Hjort and his family all those years ago.

‘Good question,’ he replied.

‘I doubt it bodes any good.’

‘He won’t start any trouble here, be assured of that.’

‘All the same,’ said Finn, ‘he’s not a man I’d choose to turn my back on.’

‘You were wise not to,’ replied Erik. ‘All the same, Leif is in the right of it. Einar isn’t here to cause trouble. He’s come to fetch his niece.’

‘Fetch her where?’

‘Back to Vingulmark. Seems she’s to be married.’

Leif was suddenly still. ‘Married?’

Erik nodded. ‘That’s right.’

‘How would you know?’ demanded Finn.

‘Ingolf heard some of Einar’s men talking.’

Finn glanced at Leif. ‘It looks as if your hopes there are dashed, then.’

Leif casually reached for his cup. ‘It does rather, doesn’t it?’

‘Never mind. Plenty more shingles on the roof, eh?’

‘As you say.’

Erik eyed him speculatively. ‘Fancied her yourself, did you?’

It was an understatement, but Leif wasn’t about to confide the fact. Instead he shrugged. ‘You win some, you lose some.’

‘True enough. Besides, Finn’s right. The world is full of pretty women.’

Finn smiled. ‘Do you remember that redhead in Alfheim who...?’

Leif barely heard him, his mind still trying to assimilate what he’d just heard. He hadn’t seen that coming. Nor would he have anticipated his own reaction. He had hoped to have more time to achieve his goal; that Astrid might somehow be persuaded. Not only was he out of time, but the goal was unattainable as well. It engendered a series of unwonted emotions. He smiled in self-mockery. He’d lost. It happened. He just hadn’t expected it to matter quite as much.

* * *

The following morning Astrid left with her uncle and his retinue. Leave-taking had been hard, particularly from Ragnhild.

‘I shall miss you, Astrid.’

‘And I you, my lady.’

The queen embraced her and, lowering her voice, murmured, ‘If ever you need me you know where I am. Don’t forget that.’

‘I won’t forget.’

Ragnhild stepped back and smiled. ‘I wish you a safe journey. May the gods be with you.’

With that the departing group left the hall. Outside, in a cool grey dawn, the horses were saddled and waiting. With a heavy heart Astrid mounted and, having settled herself in the saddle, looked around her, committing the scene to memory, certain that she would never see this place or her friend again. It was then she saw Leif. He was some yards off with a group of other casual bystanders. For a brief interval the blue-grey gaze met hers and she saw him incline his head in acknowledgement. Her present resentment was displaced by sadness and a strange and fleeting sense of loss. Summoning up the shreds of self-control, she replied with a like greeting. The courtesy didn’t pass unnoticed.

‘What is your interest there?’

Astrid started, hearing her uncle’s voice and then annoyance temporarily superseded sadness. She controlled it.

‘I have no interest there. I did but acknowledge an acquaintance.’

It was a lie on both counts, she realised. However, it seemed to satisfy her uncle. He grunted and turned his horse’s head.

‘Come. It’s time to go.’

With that the cavalcade rode away.

Leif watched them go, his face impassive. The men beside him followed suit.

‘Seems like everyone’s leaving all of a sudden,’ said Harek.

Bjarni grinned. ‘The fighting’s over. The feasting’s over. There’s not much to stay for, is there?’

Leif silently endorsed the point, though for rather different reasons. Harek eyed him quizzically.

‘So, what now, my lord?’

‘We leave for Vingulmark,’ replied Leif.

‘Right. When?’

‘As soon as we’ve collected our gear. Tell the others.’

As they took themselves off to do his bidding, Leif lingered a few moments more. The riders were almost out of sight now. He permitted himself a wry smile and then turned away. Bjarni was right: it was over. Now it was time to move on.