Page 64 of Summer of the Viking

‘I’ll miss you when you go.’

The words rose again in his throat, but he choked them back down. The last thing he wanted to see was the hurt in her eyes when she discovered what he’d been connected with. But if he found Girmir and destroyed him, he could make it right. All this could be his, if he could keep his secret.

‘We should return. I would hate to think what new problem someone will want sorted. There is enough work to keep me busy to the new year.’

As he’d hoped, her face instantly became a wreath of smiles. ‘It is wonderful to have someone else to help. I hadn’t realised how overwhelmed I’ve been. I have been drowning in all that needed to be done.’

‘I am doing my best, my lady. I aim to please you.’

Her merry laugh rang out, startling some wood pigeons. He resolutely turned from the cove. He would protect her for the rest of his life. He had to.

* * *

Alwynn put her hands in the centre of her back and stretched. Picking the lavender made it ache.

Her dress clung to her back. The heat had increased over the past few days since she and Valdar had gone out to the cove and had discovered the truth—that Oswald had been lying to gain attention. There was a thunderstorm brewing and it couldn’t come quickly enough for her liking.

Ever since they had returned from the cove, Valdar had seemed distant and preoccupied. He had even allowed her to win at their nightly game of King’s table. Twice.

‘My lady!’ Gode came running up.

Alwynn brushed her hands off on her apron. ‘If you need more of any herb, it will have to wait.’

‘Urien has run away, my lady. I turned my back for an instant and she was gone.’

Alwynn’s heart thudded. ‘You promised to look after her.’

Gode’s withered cheeks reddened. ‘I may have dozed off a little. I think she put some valerian in my drink.’

‘Gode!’ Alwynn put her hands on her hips. ‘At least give me some credit. Urien knows nothing about herbs.’

She stared at the woman hard. Gode waved her hands in mock surrender.

‘All right, all right,’ she muttered. ‘I tend to fall asleep in the afternoon these days. But I thought Urien was quiet, like. I didn’t think she would go anywhere. That she understood why she needed to remain with me. She had taken to sitting in the garden, not doing much, just staring. I only nodded off for a brief instant and then when I went to fetch her, she had gone. Vanished, like.’

‘You think she has returned to her husband.’

‘That no-good blight on humanity?’ Gode narrowed her eyes, considering. ‘Yes, I do.’

‘Why would she do that? She was safe.’

‘I heard he’d taken up with another woman. He needs someone to fetch and carry for him. And the pig-keeper’s widow isn’t too picky about her men. Then there was this message he sent, something about him solving everything. I told her not to go and to trust in you.’

Alwynn pressed her lips together. Gode being Gode had no doubt imparted that information about the pig-keeper’s widow. Accidentally, perhaps. Or from a desire to convince Urien not to return to Cleofirth, but now it seemed it had had the opposite effect.

‘As bad as he is, Urien wants to keep him.’

‘Aye, I reckon so.’

‘We shall have to go and fetch her back. I won’t have my authority undermined.’

‘Do you want to go on your own?’

‘Cleofirth won’t harm me.’ Alwynn glanced over her shoulder. ‘Valdar is busy at the gristmill. It will be late before he is finished. He has been back late every day this week.’

Every day since they had made love on the bluff. Alwynn frowned and tried to push the thought away. She had thought then that they were closer than ever, but he seemed to be pulling away from her. She could feel the days slipping through her fingers but she didn’t dare bring up the prospect of his staying. They had made a bargain.

‘Will Lady Merewynn go with you?’ Gode asked, giving a slight cough.

‘I can cope,’ Alwynn said. ‘Why the sudden concern? I was the one who rescued this estate! Me, on my own. I have faced tenants before and I will face them on my own again when...later this autumn.’

‘Yes, my lady. I thought you could use a little company.’ Gode placed a hand on Alwynn’s sleeve. ‘Lady Merri is capable of more than you think. And I, too, can be of assistance. Sometimes you do not need to go it alone. Sometimes you should accept help.’

Alwynn opened her mouth to refuse, but thought better of it. Gode was right. Going alone was not the answer. She wished Valdar could come, too, but there was no time to wait for him. If she needed him, she could always send for him. Merri had strong legs for running. ‘It will do Merri good to come with me and learn how to deal with tenants. She has been spending far too much time with that pony.’

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