Page 22 of Summer of the Viking

‘Where I come from, sacks of flour do not move about like living things. They are hard to lose. However, perhaps the flour from your land is different?’

Oswy flushed an even deeper red. ‘It is good that my lady understands.’

‘Indeed.’ Valdar stepped forward. ‘I trust those reasons no longer exist. And make up any shortfall.’

‘Yes, yes, whatever you say, my lord steward.’ The colour finally drained from Oswy’s face and then, making his excuses, he hurried away.

Gode came forward. She looked Valdar up and down with a keen eye. ‘Are you living here or at the hall?’

‘That is up to my Lady Alwynn,’ he replied smoothly.

Alwynn winced, waiting for Gode to explode or ask an awkward question about the roof of her cottage. Instead her old nurse did nothing of the sort.

‘I could use a man about the house,’ Gode remarked. ‘Think about it, Alwynn, and the only way you will get me out of here is feet first. Sharing with a handsome warrior is just the thing to warm my bones.’

She bustled into the cottage. Alwynn was torn between the desire to laugh or cry. Of all Gode’s possible responses, she had most emphatically not expected that one.

Exerting all of her hard-won self-control, Alwynn waited until she heard Gode rummaging about in the cottage. One problem at a time. The last thing she wanted was to get her old nurse involved more than she already was. She had no doubt Gode would have more than a word to say if she knew what Alwynn had truly done.

‘Your nurse approves of me being your steward?’ Valdar remarked into the silence.

‘She’d approve of a Northman if he put Oswy in his place.’

‘Any particular reason why?’

‘A feud which goes back years. Something about a failed promise to her sister, I believe. It just has always been there. It is a bit of a joke in these parts.’ Alwynn stared after Gode. ‘I was inclined to think she made too much of it because, before this spring, I had always considered him to be loyal to my family.’

‘I’ll remember that.’ A faint breeze whipped the hair back from his face, revealing its hardened planes. ‘In my new capacity as steward, this sort of intelligence can help.’

‘Are you really going to be my steward?’

‘You declared me to be one to your tenant, quite an important tenant. I would hardly wish to contradict you or cause you to find a reason why I suddenly departed.’ Valdar’s face wore a maddening smile.

‘I will think of something plausible.’ Alwynn hated that her mind was stubbornly blank except for noting the breadth of his shoulders.

‘I am happy to reside here for the duration of my stay,’ Valdar remarked, making no move to go from the doorway. ‘It will suit my purposes.’

The muscles tightened in Alwynn’s jaw. Exploding at him was only going to make matters worse. ‘Gode has her own ideas. I had made no decision about where you will be living.’

He raised a brow. ‘Indeed.’

She crossed her arms and concentrated on breathing deeply. When she felt her temper was under control, she continued, ‘Your presence will be common knowledge by nightfall.’

‘That miller was cheating you, but I suspect you will get the correct amount of flour by the evening.’

‘What are you doing? Didn’t you hear what I said? Everyone will know. I had it under control. Merri is known for her flights of fancy. But, no, you came out.’

‘I overheard your earlier conversation and spied the old lady coming down the track. I thought it best to volunteer.’ He raised a brow. ‘Before disaster struck. Before your nurse entered the cottage and discovered me lurking. I’m not one to cower and shake waiting for discovery. Think about what could have happened.’

And disaster hadn’t struck? Alwynn struggled for a breath. Things had happened far too fast. She hated feeling as if she wasn’t in control or that everyone was playing by a different set of rules. ‘But it didn’t happen. And now everyone will think I have a new steward. They will start to ask questions. Where I hired you from? For how long?’

‘I take it that the position is vacant.’

His quiet words cut through her panic. She drew an unsteady breath and concentrated on a spot above his left shoulder.

‘Yes, it has become clear over the last few months—either I can work in my garden or I can ensure rents and renders are collected. It was something I’d hoped to address after the harvest.’

‘Why didn’t you have one before?’

‘Because he cheated me and my late husband. The entries in the ledger did not add up. When I discovered it, I sent him packing.’ She shook her head. ‘I lost my temper and may have brandished a sword. Thankfully he didn’t know I could barely lift the thing.’ She gave a careful shrug. It had felt good shouting and brandishing the sword. Finally to be doing something, rather than wringing her hands and waiting to be rescued.

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