The Viking's Defiant Bride (22 page)

 

Towards the end of July the watchman announced the approach of a group of horsemen. It was a warm day and Elgiva was sitting with Osgifu outside her bower, mending one of Wulfrum's shirts while Ulric played nearby. They heard the sentinel's warning shout and then, soon after, the arrival of the horses. Leaving Ulric in Osgifu's care, Elgiva went to see who the newcomers were. When she entered the hall, she saw a dozen men, all Danes, and all with the dust and sweat of travel upon them. They were already being received by Wulfrum. Elgiva, standing apart, listened as he welcomed them and, catching his eye, gave quiet instructions to the serfs to fetch ale and food. When she turned back to the guests, she realised that one of their number was watching her with interest. With a feeling of dismay she found herself looking straight at Sweyn. He smiled and bowed. Elgiva acknowledged him with the barest inclination of the head and then turned her attention back to the rest, for the man called Torvald was speaking to Wulfrum.

‘We carry messages from Lord Halfdan to his brothers, and also for you, my lord.'

Wulfrum nodded. ‘I thank you. But first wash off the dust of travel, and then sit and eat. You've had a long ride.'

The men were only too glad to obey and, having sluiced their faces and necks with cool water, disposed themselves around the table. As they ate they spoke of matters in York and elsewhere. Elgiva listened with close interest. It was as she had suspected. The Danes increased their hold on their new kingdom daily. They put down rebellion with ruthless efficiency and brought Northumbria under their yoke.

‘There are still pockets of resistance,' Torvald continued, ‘and bands of rebels who hide out in the forest. We have reason to believe one of them may be Aylwin.'

Elgiva froze at the mention of that name, but the men paid no heed.

‘Since the forest is hard by, my lord, it might be as well to double your guard around the place until such time as the troublemakers can be flushed out.'

‘I shall do so, Torvald, and I thank you for the warning.'

‘It is but a matter of time before they are caught and destroyed.'

‘I think so too. I will have my men search the area immediately. If any rebels are in hiding hereabouts, they will be found.' Wulfrum exchanged glances with Olaf Ironfist and missed his wife's expression. ‘Take some men out tomorrow and see what you can discover.'

‘I will, my lord. And if we find any renegades?'

‘Then you will either kill or capture them.'

Ironfist nodded and looked at Ida, who grinned in obvious anticipation.

‘What news more?' demanded Wulfrum.

‘Lord Halfdan holds a council in the autumn,' said Torvald. ‘It is his will that all his earls should attend.'

Wulfrum regarded the speaker and nodded. ‘I will do so.'

Elgiva caught the look that passed between him and Olaf Ironfist, though the latter said nothing, only listened attentively to the conversation. She noted he also looked once at Sweyn, though it was but a fleeting glance and probably not significant. The man's presence caused her deep uneasiness and she longed to see him ride on. Having thought never to see him again, it was a disagreeable surprise to find him here in the flesh.

 

She said as much to Osgifu a little later.

‘Disagreeable indeed,' replied Osgifu. ‘Worse, he is alive and well. The gods have not heard my prayers on that score.'

‘Fortunately they ride on tomorrow.'

‘Good riddance.' Then, ‘What news did the riders bring from York?'

She listened with close attention while Elgiva summarised what she had heard.

‘I must get a message to Aylwin, warn him.'

‘You cannot risk venturing out there.'

‘Not personally, but it should still be possible to get a message through.'

‘How?'

‘Through Leofwine. Can you let him know what is afoot and bid him find Brekka if he can? I know the rebels move their camp often.' She paused. ‘It is the last thing I can do for Aylwin. Let us pray that he heeds the warning.'

‘Let us hope so. Let us hope also that Wulfrum never finds out that his plan has been betrayed.'

‘This is not done to betray Wulfrum, but to prevent more blood from being shed.'

‘He would not see it that way.'

‘I know it,' replied Elgiva, ‘but I cannot just let Aylwin and the others be slaughtered.'

After Osgifu departed for the village, Elgiva paced the floor in an agony of suspense and inner turmoil. It seemed to her then that every turn of events mired her deeper in deception. She needed something to do to take her mind off it all and keep her away from their visitors. It was politic to keep her distance until the men should have gone. As always there was spinning to do, enough to last until the evening meal when she would have the safety of numbers about her.

 

She occupied herself thus until the late afternoon. Then, feeling the need of fresh air, Elgiva went out, heading away from the bower and the hall towards the paddock. The day was fine and warm and scented with flowers and cut grass. Glossy horses grazed beyond the fence, cropping the lush turf. However, being preoccupied, she devoted little attention to them. Had the message reached the rebel group? It was all she could do and little enough. Recalling their last meeting, Elgiva sighed. Aylwin's words still stung. What made it worse was that
much of what he had said had the ring of truth. She would not undo her marriage to Wulfrum, would not be Aylwin's bride instead. He was a good and respected man, but she knew that she had never felt for him what she felt for Wulfrum. Aylwin's look did not send a pleasurable shiver along her spine, nor did his touch burn. His kiss would never set her heart aflame. She could never return the feeling he had for her. She wondered why it should be that one man could inspire passion and another not, no matter how worthy. Wulfrum was her lord and there could be no other.

Elgiva walked slowly from the paddock towards the orchard and sat down in a pool of dappled shade. It was pleasant out of doors and for the time she began to relax, to let the sweet air and the sunshine soothe her. She did not hear the man's approach, for the turf silenced his steps, and was not aware of his presence until his shadow fell across her face.

‘Aylwin!' For a moment she was numb with shock. ‘Are you insane?'

‘I had to see you again, Elgiva.'

‘In heaven's name, why?' She looked round, scanning the place with anxious eyes. ‘If you are found here…'

‘I had to thank you.'

‘For what?'

‘For the warning and the information…'he paused, searching for the words ‘…and to say how much I regret what occurred at our last meeting. I can see now that the words were harsh. You don't know how often I have wished them unsaid.'

Elgiva shook her head. ‘Let's not quarrel about the past.'

‘You are generous.' He gave her a wry smile. ‘And brave too. You took a risk to send that message.'

‘All the more reason for you to heed it and take your men away from here before it is too late.' The amber eyes were earnest as they met and held his gaze. ‘Ravenswood is of strategic importance to the Vikings. They will not suffer a Saxon challenge.'

‘There are many kinds of challenge, Elgiva. I am not so foolish as to think we could meet them in open battle yet. They are too numerous, but more men will join us. Our intelligence improves apace. We are in communication with other rebel groups. In the meantime, we shall use what means we have to harry the foe and then melt back into the forest.'

‘Give it up, I beg you. It can only end in more deaths.'

‘I told you, Elgiva, I will not give up what is mine.' He bent a meaningful look upon her. ‘But I was wrong to doubt you. Come away with me now. The forest has many secret places. The Viking will never find you.'

‘Wulfrum would find me,' she replied. ‘I am his wife.'

‘You were mine before you were his.' His hand closed round her wrist. ‘I know you fear his wrath and rightly so, but I will never let him harm you.'

‘His wrath would not fall on me alone, Aylwin, but on others too.'

‘That is a price I am willing to pay.'

‘But I am not.' She tried to disengage her hold, but his grip tightened. ‘You must understand that.'

His gaze hardened. ‘Still you make excuses to remain with him.'

‘Aylwin, please! This is a futile argument. You must go before someone sees you here.'

He let out a ragged breath and she saw some of the tension leave him. The grip on her wrist slackened a little.

‘I'm sorry, Elgiva. I did not come here to quarrel with you. I shall go—for now. But know this: one day soon I shall kill the Viking and free you.'

‘You cannot.'

‘Lord Halfdan has shown me the way, Elgiva.'

‘What do you mean?'

‘Be ignorant of the knowledge until you can applaud the deed. Suffice it to say that Wulfrum must ride for York in the
autumn. The waiting is almost over.' Aylwin smiled and released his hold. ‘Meanwhile I must go.'

‘Stay. Will you not tell me what you intend?'

He shook his head. ‘Farewell, Elgiva.'

‘Aylwin, wait!'

But he was gone, running swiftly through the trees. Elgiva watched until he was out of sight, her heart thumping with fear and horror at his words. Automatically she massaged her wrist, feeling yet the imprint of those strong fingers. She was left in no doubt now that he had meant every word. He would not go. Anxiously her gaze scanned the quiet orchard, but she was alone. The nearest men were raking hay two fields away, too far to have seen or heard anything. She drew in a deep breath. Aylwin had taken a foolish risk to come here. His words had disturbed her much and she understood now how far she had underestimated the strength of his feeling for her. Ironically her warning had had the opposite effect from the one she had intended.

She was so preoccupied in thought that she failed to see the man at the orchard's edge until she was almost upon him. Then her heart missed a beat. Sweyn! He smiled at her, the cool grey eyes missing no detail of her appearance.

‘Well met, Elgiva. It seems married life agrees with you.'

‘As you say, Sweyn.' She tried to step around him, but he blocked her path.

‘I have missed you, my lady.'

‘Really?'

‘I can't get you out of my mind.'

‘Try harder.'

‘You are still cold, Elgiva.'

‘I am not like to be different.'

‘Not toward me, perhaps,' he agreed, ‘but what of the man you were with just now? He didn't look much like Wulfrum to me.'

Elgiva forced herself to meet that mocking gaze. ‘Hardly,' she replied. ‘It was one of the serfs.'

‘Indeed?'

‘I do not think I need explain myself to you.'

‘But would your husband feel the same if he knew?'

‘Why don't you ask him and find out?' The words were uttered with far more confidence than she felt. ‘Though, of course, he might wonder then how it was that
you
sought out his wife for a private conversation.'

He frowned and she saw the shot go home. ‘It is nothing to me if you lower yourself to converse with peasants.'

‘It was ever the custom to treat our people well,' she replied. ‘You should try it some time.'

She would have swept on, but he seized her arm, detaining her.

‘I would treat you well, Elgiva, if you gave me the chance.'

Incredulous, she could only stare at him. Then, recovering herself, ‘Let go of me, Sweyn. I am Wulfrum's wife and he would not take kindly to having another man lay hands on me.'

‘Do you think I fear Wulfrum?'

‘No,' she replied, ‘but I have seen enough bloodshed to last me a lifetime. Even the sight of yours has no appeal. Now let me go.'

For an instant she saw something like admiration in his eyes. Then he loosed his hold. With intense relief Elgiva walked away, conscious of his gaze at every step.

She returned to the chamber she shared with Wulfrum, and lay down on the bed, trying to order her scattered thoughts. The experience had left her feeling shaken and she needed to be calm when Wulfrum returned, lest he suspect something untoward. She had no wish to see Sweyn again before he left, and no wish to play the hostess to his companions, either. Somehow she must avoid the evening meal without arousing suspicion. Elgiva closed her eyes and tried to think.

 

Some time later she awoke with a start to see Wulfrum looking down at her in concern.

‘Are you well, Elgiva?'

She struggled up on to one elbow, feeling groggy and disorientated.

‘A headache, that is all.'

Her pallor was genuine enough and Wulfrum frowned, sitting down on the edge of the bed to scrutinise her better. His hand felt her forehead for fever, but if anything it felt cooler than usual. He pushed her gently back and covered her with a pelt.