Page 28 of Summer of the Viking

A position where he could control any inheritance was more like it. Alwynn knew precisely where this conversation was headed. She’d fought against the suggestion before and would continue to fight. She’d seen what happened to wards and how they were married off to men who furthered the aims of the foster parents or died young. Merri deserved better.

‘I’ve no plans to remarry. Nor do I have any plans to enter the church. I made this quite clear after my husband’s death and it remains my avowed intent.’

Edwin’s cheeks became stained scarlet. ‘I thought... That is...’

‘Believing everything you hear, particularly when the source is dubious, is the surest way to lose your path.’ Alwynn crossed her arms and clung on to her temper. Silently she thanked God that Merri had fled. If she had remained, there was no telling what the girl might have been tempted to say.

‘Of course, of course. Have you given any thought to my suggestion of a steward? My own has a brother who would be willing to oversee...’

‘Funnily enough, I have. But, alas, your steward’s brother will have to find another position. There is no longer a vacancy on this estate.’

‘Anyone I am acquainted with?’

‘Doubtful, but he comes with the highest recommendations.’ She allowed her lips to curve upwards. ‘I used my connections to discover a suitable candidate.’

‘Your family connections?’

Her nose itched, as it always did when she was in trouble. Right now much depended on keeping Valdar’s origins a mystery. But it felt good to wipe the smug expression off Edwin’s face. ‘I understand you are departing soon. And here I thought for certain you were staying for the entire summer to ensure Northmen did not attempt to take the harvest. It was one of the reasons, I believe, that the king gave for gifting you the bulk of my late husband’s estate.’

‘Alas, the king requires me by his side. He needs my help before the other nobles arrive for the law-giving.’ He tapped the side of his nose in a particularly irritating manner.

Alwynn kept a straight face. Her father and Theodbald’s father had both used to complain bitterly about having to be there early. It was a burden rather than a privilege and only the unlucky or the overly ambitious were lumbered with it.

‘Indeed.’

‘I have little reason to suppose we will have trouble with the Northmen this summer.’ He adopted a smug stance. ‘They were all destroyed last year, in part thanks to my quick thinking. None will dare venture out again. They will have seen how strong we are.’

‘If they were all destroyed, how will any other know our strength?’

‘Just like a woman to ask such a question. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. You will be safe.’

Alwynn clenched her fist and wished she had the strength to wipe the smile off his face. ‘My new steward will be more than equal to the task, my lord.’

‘Oswy the Blount informed me that your steward appears to have a good sword arm.’ Edwin had the grace to blush slightly. ‘He will no longer be considering one of my mills.’

‘Oswy is one of my tenants. The king takes a dim view of people poaching tenants.’

‘He is a good miller. One of the best in the area. My wife prefers his flour. It was merely a friendly chat as I was passing. Something which was mentioned casually.’ Lord Edwin gave a false laugh. ‘She thought we might be able to tempt him away, but, no, he wishes to stay, particularly now that you have such a formidable steward. Better for him. He has hopes that his son will make a warrior and even dared suggest that I might help him. Can you imagine a miller’s son becoming a warrior? Whatever is the world coming to?’

Alwynn crossed her arms as her blood boiled. Oswy had been holding back on the flour, but he had done it for his only son. He obviously hadn’t believed her when she’d informed him of the same fact. ‘He is always welcome to change gristmills. I am not holding him back, but first he must fulfil all his tenancy agreement. A fair exchange.’

‘You can hardly blame the man for looking around. Common knowledge that you barely scraped last year’s render together. Men have to look to their families first.’

Alwynn pressed her lips together. This was the closest Edwin had come to admitting that he had tried to steal her tenants. ‘Is that so? None have come to me with problems.’

‘I like to know what is happening in this neighbourhood. The king did make me the overlord of the area.’

‘Because of what you did with the Northmen? How funny that most seem to think it was St Cuthbert’s storm.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘About this new steward of yours—is he the sort of man you can trust? You should have allowed me to vet him.’

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