Page 32 of Summer of the Viking

Gode curtsied. ‘It does the job. If you were dead, you would not be able to smell it.’

‘Beyond the smell, I’ve no complaints,’ Valdar said rapidly.

‘Gode will take it under consideration...for the next time. Perhaps some lavender or rose petals?’

‘I’m not planning on getting hurt again.’

‘No one ever plans for it. Sometimes it just happens.’ She tilted her head to one side. ‘Why were you standing in the doorway earlier?’

‘If I told you that I wanted to make sure no one was coming for me, would you believe me?’

Something died a little within her. A tiny part of her had hoped that he might be watching for her. She was behaving like a young maiden, not a widow with a stepdaughter and many responsibilities. ‘Now that I see everything is under control, I should go. The weaving...’

‘Stay!’ Gode said, moving between her and the door. ‘The weaving can always wait. I need you here to keep an eye on our patient. I fear if he is not watched, he will do too much and cause more injury to himself. You know he threatened to repair the thatch on the roof.’

‘When the time is right...’ Valdar’s laugh sounded like liquid gold.

Alwynn narrowed her gaze. Gode surely couldn’t be matchmaking. She wouldn’t put it past her nurse. And she hated that Gode was obvious about it as well. As if she needed someone to matchmake for her! She was happy as she was, far happier than when she’d been married to Theodbald. Love and desire were things which happened to other women, or in bard’s songs.

‘Why? What do you have to do?’

‘My doves. My darling doves. If you will excuse me, I need to see to my doves. I have been away from them too long. It will take but a moment.’

‘Doves?’ Valdar asked.

‘Gode keeps doves instead of chickens.’

The old woman laughed. ‘They are far more reliable, my lady, and they look good on the wing. But I haven’t paid them enough attention since I returned. I had our patient to think of. Now that you are here, I will take the opportunity.’

Gode practically ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

‘I hardly need a nursemaid,’ he said, turning his back on Alwynn. ‘You may go. When I am well enough, I will make my way to the hall to get my orders.’

Her cheeks flamed and she turned towards the table, pretending to rearrange the bowls. So much for Gode’s matchmaking. Valdar wasn’t interested. Inwardly she cringed. Why had she hoped that he would be different from Theodbald? She knew how plain she was—far too inclined to speak her mind and her neck and hands were all out of proportion. Then there was her failure to do the one thing required of a woman of her class—bear a living son.

‘Gode has decided you are her chick and need looking after. I’d hardly like to be on the wrong side of her.’ She stacked the bowls for a third time. ‘I stay for her sake, rather than yours.’

‘Just as long as you know I don’t need it.’ His voice flowed over her like honey. ‘I’m healing rapidly. When I’m well, there will be time enough to discuss your estate and what needs doing to it. If the rest of the buildings are like this one, there will be plenty to keep me busy.’

‘Are you always this stubborn? Whatever must your wife think of you?’

‘I have no wife. No children.’

She dropped a bowl and it rolled across the floor to Valdar’s feet. ‘Oh.’

He handed her the bowl back. Their fingers brushed and a tremor went up her hand. ‘Some day. My sister-in-law is always after me to settle down.’

‘Sisters-in-law can be like that.’ She cleared her throat. ‘That is to say, I hope you do find a wife one day.’

‘When the time is right...’ He tilted his head to one side. ‘Are you tired of being asked about your plans to remarry?’

She inclined her head. ‘We will speak of something else, then.’

‘Choose a subject.’

‘Oswy obviously has spread the word about my new steward. I had a visit from Lord Edwin. He explained his misgivings.’ She tossed the pestle from side to side as she rapidly explained about her meeting with the man.

She placed the pestle down awkwardly. Valdar rescued it and put it back on the table, being careful not to touch her this time. Inwardly she cringed. She had been far too obvious. He was being kind.

‘What was the true reason he came?’

‘He offered again to take Merri for fostering. Apparently I don’t provide her with the right opportunities, but I know what will happen if I do. Merri would hate it and she’d...’

‘Did this happen to you?’

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