Not trusting her voice to adequately explain the enormity of it, Dagmar gave a vigorous nod. It was only standing on this jetty that it truly hit her. She had sworn to end her entire life and had been reborn, but she’d given up everything for a man whose people despised her.
The priest’s eyes widened. ‘She has become a true daughter of Christ?’
Aedan held out his hands. ‘Why would I of all people risk my immortal soul? Why would I forget my sacred oath to serve my people?’
‘I can speak for myself,’ Dagmar said, clenching her fists. ‘The priest who travels with us can confirm it. I recognise the gods of my childhood as being false.’
The priest seemed to shrink under Father Cathan’s gaze. ‘You were forced to convert this woman?’
‘I... I had no choice. Those pagans...you’ve no idea what they can do to a man. She served in King Constantine’s household before...and I thought...’
‘May St Michael and all the angels preserve us.’ Father Cathan gave a humourless smile. ‘The marriage is void. It was done under duress. The priest can barely speak for fear.’
Dagmar’s heart thumped. Maybe her prayers had been answered after all. She glanced out at the sea of ordinary faces, many of whom had gone white at the priest’s words. They were not her people, but they were Aedan’s. He had risked everything for them.
Her father would destroy Kintra if she left. Or if he could not bring himself to do it, he’d open the shipping lanes to pirates and raiders. And the next warrior he’d send after her would treat her roughly. There was no choice. She was staying. She might not be happy about the way Aedan had tricked her, but she had given her oath.
‘No!’ Aedan shouted before she could explain. ‘The marriage is not void, Father. You are mistaken in your interpretation. The marriage stands!’
The priest blinked in surprise.
‘I’m merely concerned for this woman’s immortal soul. Such decisions should not be taken lightly. Nor should marriages be conducted at the point of a sword.’
‘One wonders if you have ever lived in the real world, Father Cathan,’ Aedan said drily.
The priest had the grace to flush.
‘I knew what I was doing,’ Dagmar said as loudly as she could. ‘I’ve studied Latin and can read the script. My mother ensured it.’
‘Impressive, but did you repent in your heart? Many Northmen in my experience mouth the words, but never understand their meaning.’
Dagmar glanced at Aedan. His eyes held a vague plea. She gave a nod, knowing what she had to do. The wind whipped her hair from her face, but she kept her gaze focused on the middle distance.
‘The marriage is valid.’ She looked over the gathered throng and added in Latin. ‘Do you wish to insult my father, Father Cathan? Now that the hostages have returned safely and are not languishing in some slave market? Do you think you can withstand being a slave better than the good father who stands beside me did?’
She glanced back at Aedan who gave her a slight nod. The hard knot in her stomach eased. She silently blessed the fact that her mother had been determined that her daughter would be able to understand what the priests were saying or writing.
‘My Lady?’ The priest who had married them pulled at her sleeve.
‘Yes, Father...’
‘Alcuin. Can I say that you have a pleasant smile? Your people might appreciate seeing it.’
Mor gave a soft woof as if she agreed with Father Alcuin. Something warm grew in Dagmar’s heart. That stratagem had worked with the priest she and Aedan had encountered the day after the mist. She wanted these people to like her, not be afraid of her. She could show Aedan that she was capable of learning. She returned the priest’s smile. ‘Father Alcuin, you give excellent advice.’
She turned back towards the gathered throng and picked out a matronly-looking woman. She concentrated on giving her a smile. The woman blinked twice and returned the smile.
‘Who will give this rescued priest a home? He has been through much,’ she said loudly.
Aedan’s priest blanched. ‘The good father can reside with me. He will be upset after his trauma.’
‘Then you will bless the marriage,’ Dagmar said. ‘So that the people here know that everything was done properly.’
His eyes grew colder and she knew that he would be waiting for her to make a mistake, but this time she had won. ‘Aye, I will do that. Tomorrow, on the proper day for marriages, but first I need to minster to the returned hostages.’
‘No!’ Aedan roared. ‘You will bless this marriage here and now.’
The priest went white. ‘Marriages are traditionally celebrated on the Feast of All Saints.’
‘Would you gainsay your lord? Do it now!’
The priest gave a huge sigh and mumbled the words. Dagmar risked a glance at Aedan. His face was set on harsh lines.
‘There will be no more talk of void marriages,’ Aedan declared.
Father Cathan gave him a filthy look and nodded towards the stone cross which dominated the skyline. ‘I must attend to my duties. Come, Father, we must get you settled. It will be good to have some intelligent conversation.’
A steady drizzle started as the mist rolled in, obscuring the Paps of Jura. Despite the wetness, the population stayed out to welcome their King and his new lady back. Dagmar noticed that the atmosphere improved once Kintra’s priest had departed.
Dagmar forced her shoulders to relax and practised smiling at everyone she passed. Frequently, they returned her smile. As she walked along, she kept noticing how the defences were lax. They could never have withstood a long siege from her father or anyone else. Dagmar missed her footing. Olafr. He had not attacked them yet, nor had he been at her father’s. There would be a reason for that. Olafr was not one to give up easily. He would ensure she was dead and he would seek to punish the man who had saved her.
Aedan put his hand under her elbow. Her traitorous body quivered with awareness of him. ‘Be aware, people often throw oatcakes at newlyweds. It is to bring prosperity to the marriage rather than a sign of displeasure.’
‘And you think I might react badly to the custom?’
‘Your brows have drawn together and your scowl has returned. If you are not worried about the crowd’s behaviour, what are you worried about?’
Dagmar forced her brows to relax. If she confessed her fears about Olafr, Aedan would tell her it was no longer her problem. It was her father’s. Except when did her father ever do what she wanted him to?
‘It is probably nothing.’
‘Except you can’t help thinking about the ground. Relax, Kintra is well defended.’
‘How did you know I was thinking about that?’
He gave a little laugh. ‘It is what you do when you are nervous. Remember, you told me?’
She stared at him. ‘You remember that?’
‘Why would I ever want to forget?’
Her heart did a little flip and she discovered that she wanted to believe Mhairi had spoken falsely, that this marriage was more than a cynical exercise in self-preservation by Aedan. Maybe there was a way in which she could explain her fears. ‘There are some things I noticed that we should discuss...’
‘We can talk after we negotiate the oatcakes and the broom.’
‘Broom?’
‘I have to carry you over it. Then we will be alone and we can talk.’ He lowered his voice. ‘And do other things...’
Dagmar hated that the hard knot in her stomach eased. Maybe there was a chance for them if she could prevent Olafr from snatching it away.
* * *
Dagmar struggled in Aedan’s arms at they crossed the threshold. He set her down rapidly. She plucked several oatcake crumbs out of her hair. ‘What did you want to talk to me about?’
‘You seemed unconvinced about Kintra’s defences.’
&nbs
p; ‘I am.’ Dagmar rapidly listed the problems she had seen, including how large the harbour was, and her suspicion that the women would know little about self-defence. ‘Kintra needs to be prepared in case of a raid.’
‘My new alliance, including my marriage to you, is supposed to prevent that.’
Dagmar clasped her hands together and knew there was little hope for it. She’d have to confess her fears. It would be worse if these kind people suffered because of her. ‘What happens if Olafr’s ship slips through my father’s net? He could come from the south, rather than the north. It would be something my mother would do. He knows your name, Aedan. He knows you took me.’
‘You are worrying about nothing. He has his new alliance with Thorsten to think of.’
‘I suppose I won’t fully relax until I know his head has been forcibly removed from his shoulders.’
‘He doesn’t know you are at Kintra.’
‘He knows your name. He knows you spirited me away. He didn’t make for my father’s. He might come straight here instead.’
The colour drained from Aedan’s face. ‘Why only say this now?’
‘Because I had other things on my mind.’ She lifted her chin. ‘Changing my clothes fails to change how I view the world. And I made an error in not considering the possibility before now. It would have been worse if I’d kept it a secret. If he comes here, he will lay waste to this place and enslave all those who live here.’
Aedan stared at Dagmar as the full import of her words hit him. Olafr knew who he was and where he came from. Unless Kolbeinn’s men intercepted him, Olafr would be coming here. He should have considered the possibility earlier. ‘If he knows my name, he would have come here whether you were here or not. You should have warned me earlier.’
She bowed her head and drew a line in the dust with her toe. ‘An uncharacteristic mistake. I apologise.’
‘Apology accepted. I should have considered it as well.’
Dagmar’s face lit up. ‘We were both thinking of other things.’
‘But you think there are things which can be done quickly, things which will give my people a chance? I will not be the one who surrenders to a Northman. I will not lose these lands for anyone or anything.’
Dagmar’s throat worked up and down. ‘Yes. Most can be done in a matter of a few days.’
He placed his hand on her shoulder and silently bade goodbye to his plans of bedding her straight away. ‘I have to call a meeting of the elders. There are things which need to be done immediately.’
‘Will you tell them about Olafr?’
He shook his head. ‘It would cause panic.’
‘Doing nothing is not an option.’ Dagmar looped a tendril about her ear and leant forward. ‘Maybe you could explain that, based on your experiences this summer, you want to increase the defences. We don’t have much time if my gut is correct. Once Olafr can get a crew together, he will sail for Kintra. You could explain at the wedding feast.’
Aedan put an arm about her shoulders, but she stood stiffly away from him. He swore softly under his breath. Dagmar had retreated into her shell again. ‘I wasn’t planning on holding a feast.’
The light vanished from her eyes and he regretted teasing her even slightly. ‘I see.’
‘You don’t. I planned on spending the entire night enjoying you without roving gangs singing ribald songs and banging drums outside the door, but...’
‘Spending the entire night with me?’
He froze. He had forgotten how fragile her confidence about being a woman was. She might appear tough, but she had little faith in her own beauty. He lifted her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes. Her generous mouth trembled. He ran a thumb over it.
‘Where else would I want to spend it? I objected to your father and his methods, not you in my bed. Never to that.’
Her eyes dropped. ‘I’d not considered it.’
‘Liar.’ He dropped a kiss on her forehead. ‘You should. Will you allow me to speak to the elders on my own? You can keep the bed warm.’
Her eyes blazed. ‘I am not frightened of them.’
‘But they may be frightened of you. They have cause to hate change, Dagmar, of any sort.’ He thought about the cross which dominated the headland and his part in the debacle. If he hadn’t been so wrapped up in Brigid’s betrayal, he’d have taken steps, but he had failed them and there were those who distrusted him for it. ‘They have cause to. It needs to come from me.’
Her face fell slightly. ‘Is that what I am consigned to? Being your bed partner so my father can get his grandsons?’
‘Your father has nothing to do with why I want you in my bed.’ He ran a hand down her flank. She trembled and his body responded instantly, but he knew if he gave in, he would not be able to speak to the elders and Father Cathan would have a chance to spread his poison. ‘Have you forgotten what we were like together? Will I have to remind you?’
His lips captured hers and drank from them. She gave into the pressure and opened. In that meeting of mouths, he knew she gave him strength.
With the last vestige of self-control, he put her away from him. ‘If we keep this up, there will be no defence against Olafr and I’m not ready to lose you to him.’
‘That would never happen. I could best him any day.’
‘I am hoping it will not come to it.’
The light which had been missing returned to her eyes and she gave a playful push against his chest. ‘Go. This once I will yield, but not for ever.’
* * *
‘Did the meeting go well?’ Dagmar asked from where she sat beside the hearth. Mor had stayed with her, keeping her company. It had been hard to let Aedan go, but she was trying to take it slowly. Her mind kept returning to the kiss they had shared. He desired her.
Aedan appeared weary as if he had argued long and hard. She stood and held out her arms. He walked straight into them, enfolding her in his embrace. They remained like that for a long time.
‘How did it go?’
‘They have agreed to most of your suggestions except for the sinking of the ships to narrow the harbour and training the women in self-defence,’ he said against her hair. ‘I am not sure if a number of the older farmers were convinced about my explanation.’
‘They are making a mistake. The entrance to the harbour is too wide.’
‘My cousin believes it would interfere with the fishing nets. He reminded me that I have been away having adventures rather than fishing.’
‘And the reason for not instructing the women?’
‘Father Cathan spoke against it. Apparently when he was administering to Mhairi, she told him about your past as a warrior. He believes the Good Lord will protect Kintra’s women rather than unnatural women.’
‘Just as in the past? Your aunt... How many more women must be taken before he relents?’
He held up his hand. ‘I know, but going against Father Cathan directly will be difficult. He is already trying to say that I’ve made a mistake in bringing a woman from the north here as my wife. I look after the earthly needs, but Father Cathan is concerned about their souls. He could preach against them, against you. It will make life more difficult. For now, I will allow him his victory.’
Dagmar firmed her mouth and silently vowed she’d find a way. ‘Something needs to be done about protecting the women.’
He tilted her chin upwards. ‘All the time Father Cathan was pontificating, I was thinking about this.’
His mouth came down on hers and claimed it. Dark and hot, calling to the banked fire within her. Dagmar gave into the passion in the kiss. She looped her arms about his neck and pressed her body close. His arms instantly tightened about her as his lips moved down her neck.
She knew it was to distract her, but her heart couldn’t help thrilling. He did want her. He made her feel desirable and she loved tha
t feeling. It didn’t matter what others thought. It mattered what Aedan thought and, while she knew it wasn’t deep abiding love, she would take it.
‘Shall we begin our marriage properly?’ he growled in her ear.
Her fingers pressed against the hard muscle of his chest, circling his nipples. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’
‘How little you know me!’
‘That can be remedied.’ His mouth reclaimed hers and there was no time for talking let alone thinking.
* * *
Later as she watched him sleep, Dagmar realised that he’d failed to tell her what had actually happened at the meeting, the little decisions which could make a difference to Kintra’s ability to withstand Olafr’s onslaught when it came.
He’d used their passion against her, but it also meant that he had not actually forbidden her from doing anything. He might wish not to antagonise Kintra’s priest, but she refused to have women be left vulnerable.
She would find a way to demonstrate to everyone that Aedan had not made a mistake in marrying her.
* * *
Dagmar stared at the tangle of threads which marked her fourth attempt at threading the loom several days later. She needed to acquire cloth to make a gown and she needed to find a way so that she could teach the women self-defence. Normally to puzzle out her problem she would have resorted to sparring with a partner, but she doubted that Aedan would allow it.
‘I shall have to figure out another way,’ she said to Mor, who lay at her feet with her head buried in her paws.
‘My lady?’ A matronly woman bustled in, carrying a bundle of cloth.
Dagmar realised with a start that it was the woman she’d smiled at on the quayside. She hastily stood up and tried to smooth out the creases of her gown. ‘May I help you?’
‘I’ve brought you a wedding gift.’ The woman shoved the bundle towards her. ‘You smiled so sweetly the other day and Father Cathan was so unwelcoming, even when he blessed your marriage. It made me want to cry. Not that a body should go against a priest, but he lacks something...’
The Warrior's Viking Bride (Harlequin Historical) Page 20
