Читать книгу Defiant in the Viking's Bed - Joanna Fulford, Joanna Fulford - Страница 15

Chapter Seven

That night was the longest Astrid could ever remember. All she could think about was Leif, about his rage and pain, and his possible belief that she had been involved in the plot against him. Somehow she must show up the prince’s lies for what they were. In the meantime, Leif must be suffering physical and mental torment. Such a cruel and public humiliation smote at the heart of a man, especially one who was proud and strong. He would not take easily to his allotted role; he would have to be starved and beaten into it, diminished by slow degrees until he lost all will to fight and his spirit was broken. The very idea broke her heart too. Hakke’s revenge would not be swift, but it would be thorough.

Astrid shivered. Her mother’s brother, Jarl Einar, had been a shadowy figure in her life, more often spoken of than seen since he was often away, fighting in various wars. It wasn’t until after the deaths of her parents that he had come to play a larger role. She and her older sisters had been removed from their home and taken to his hall. Magda and Gunnhild were twins, then fifteen years old, and he lost no time in finding them husbands from among his political allies. Nor had he offered them any choice in the matter. Tears and pleas availed them nothing. Both were married off regardless, to older men whose first wives had died and who were certainly not averse to young and attractive replacements. Thirteen-year-old Astrid was alone.

‘You will make a better match than either of your sisters,’ Jarl Einar told her, ‘for you are prettier than they. When you are older I shall marry you to a prince or a king.’

A few weeks later he placed her in the care of his ally, Sigurd Hjort, where, under the tutelage of his lady, she would learn about wifely duty. It was there that she had met Ragnhild. The two had become fast friends. Being both beautiful and spirited, Ragnhild had had many admirers, among them Hakke of Vingulmark. When his suit was refused, he kidnapped her, thinking to wed her by force, only to be robbed of his prize. Leif had played a leading role in that episode. Now Hakke intended to make him pay. Astrid shivered. No matter what happened she must protect Leif. Protect him and help him escape.

* * *

It seemed that others had anticipated her thought. The following morning Jarl Einar sent one of his men to summon her to the hall. Astrid made no demur, being quite certain that her burly escort had been told to use force if necessary. Besides, she needed to find out what her uncle was planning. She might even get a glimpse of Leif. The thought filled her with hope and painful longing.

In the end it was a disappointed hope. There was no sign of Leif anywhere and she reached the hall a few minutes later. Save for a few servants, her uncle was alone. He watched in silence as she approached. Taking a deep breath Astrid looked him in the eye.

‘How did you know Leif would be here last night?’

‘I didn’t know for sure; I guessed, based on information received.’

‘From whom?’

‘You’ve been kept under close watch since your arrival, and my men are vigilant. They do not tolerate traitors either.’ His hand closed round her arm and he drew her with him out of a side door, marching her across the open area of ground beyond. In front of them was an ancient oak tree. As the distance narrowed and Astrid saw the figure hanging from one of the lower branches the bile rose in her throat.

Her uncle had no trouble reading her expression. ‘I see you recognise the traitor.’

‘Ari was no traitor. He was guilty only of doing what I asked him.’

‘And by his actions he betrayed me,’ replied Einar. ‘He has paid the price.’

She looked away, sick to her stomach, understanding now just how naïve she had been, and knowing the guilt of it would never leave her. In that instant she also understood the meaning of hatred.

‘The only reason he was given a relatively quick death,’ he continued, ‘was that he helped deliver Leif Egilsson into my hands.’

Astrid looked up quickly. ‘What have you done with him?’