Page 31 of Summer of the Viking

Valdar had taken a chance that the curse had lost its power and had fallen hard for Kara. But Kara had only sought friendship and a way to keep her home for her son. She’d never given him her heart. He’d been too blind to see her holding back, always giving an excuse why it could go no further than a few kisses and chaste hugs until their wedding night.

Kara’s leaving him on their wedding day had ached worse than any physical blow he’d received. And it was then he knew the curse retained its power.

He grasped Gode’s arm. ‘Will you tell her? Give me the truth, instead of riddles.’

The old lady’s gaze held his. ‘When the time is right, but such things come best from the source. No woman likes to think her lover has kept secrets. But of course they do keep secrets. Always.’

‘We’re not lovers, the Lady Alwynn and I,’ he replied. ‘And are never likely to be.’

‘Not yet.’ The old woman laughed. ‘But I saw how you watched her and she watched you. My lady is entitled to a bit of happiness, but I don’t want you breaking her heart. Promise me that as well.’

Valdar silently cursed under his breath. Gode was far too perceptive. But desiring Alwynn was different from doing something about it. Alwynn was a lady, not some common hedgerow wife. ‘I don’t understand...’

‘Will you tell my lady about me? About my illness?’

Valdar regarded the old lady’s sallow complexion, understanding finally. ‘I have no intention of doing so.’

‘Underestimate me at your peril, Warrior. You treat her right and you will have no trouble from me.’

‘A threat?’

‘Fair warning.’

Alwynn entered. Today she wore a dark green gown which set off her dark hair and made her eyes seem the exact shade of the sea on Midsummer’s day. His heart did a slight leap at the sight of her. He ruthlessly stamped it down.

Once the harvest came in, he would make his way northwards. Alwynn wouldn’t grieve when he was gone.

Something ached deep within his gut. No one would grieve. No one ever would. His sister-in-law and nephews might be sad if he never returned, but for a few weeks only. They had their lives and he had been away a long time.

There was no one waiting for him like Kara, who had carried Ash in her heart until his return seven years later. Most women didn’t give their heart like that.

His mouth twisted as he thought of his mother, how she’d waited until his father was on a voyage and then she’d divorced him, leaving him for a warrior his father had considered a close friend.

All women were alike and he would allow no woman close, least of all a woman who could betray him so completely and so utterly.

‘My lady, an unexpected pleasure.’

Chapter Six

Alwynn stopped on the threshold when she saw Valdar was up and moving about. She’d half-hoped that he would have remained in bed and that Gode would need some assistance.

‘Is something wrong, Valdar? Gode? You both are wearing guilty expressions.’

‘My lady?’ Gode asked, giving Valdar a significant look. ‘When have I ever hidden anything from you?’

‘That is no answer. Valdar?’

Valdar instantly pasted a smile on, but she saw the troubled glance he gave Gode.

The pair were definitely up to something. Maybe it was good after all that she’d come here, instead of supervising the weaving.

‘I feel better than I have since I arrived here. All appears to be healing.’ He inclined his head. ‘Thank you for asking.’

‘Your warrior is an admirable patient.’

She nodded as the pair continued to stand stiffly without saying anything.

She cleared her throat as the silence began to stretch. ‘Gode seems to have everything under control, even down to making the knit-bone poultice.’

Gode beamed, the first genuine smile she’d seen from her in a long time. ‘I still know my way around a sickroom, my lady. I was the one who first taught you the potions.’

‘How could I forget my old teacher?’

‘The poultice smells rancid,’ Valdar commented. ‘Surely something could be done about that?’

‘It appears to work better that way,’ she retorted. All the ease between them from the other day appeared to have vanished. She concentrated on the table with its multitude of wooden bowls and cups. Maybe she had simply imagined it and built it up in her mind. He had no memory of the kiss they had shared. He’d been fevered and probably thought he’d been kissing the woman whose name he’d cried out...Kara.

A dagger twisted in her stomach. She knew what Theodbald had thought about her, how she had nothing to offer a man beyond her lands, and the memory of his words rose unbidden in her mind. Valdar probably thought she’d trapped him into this.

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