Summer of the Viking

by Michelle Styles

  She dug her trowel into the warm earth. After Valdar had departed, then she’d inform Edwin. Maybe give him a day’s head start. Northumbria and Raumerike were not at war. How can you be at war with a country you have never heard of?

  The last thing she wanted was trouble. As reeve, Edwin needed to know about a stranger in their midst, but exactly when he discovered it was another matter.

  She shook her head. Finally she was becoming pragmatic. There was something to be said for her recently widowed state after all.

  ‘My lady.’ Oswy the Blount raised his hand in greeting. ‘Here I discover you.’

  Alwynn nodded towards the grizzled miller, but her heart pounded. The tension in her neck eased slightly when she saw the empty doorway. Silently she prayed Valdar had enough sense to stay hidden.

  ‘Oswy the Blount,’ she said in an overloud voice, hoping Valdar would understand the impending danger and hide. ‘What brings you to this desolate place? You surely can’t be looking for Gode and one of her potions, not after your wife proclaimed that the monks’ potions were far superior.’

  She gave a studied laugh. Oswy and her old nurse’s enmity was the standing joke of the village.

  ‘No, my lady, I came to see you, not that old crone.’ Oswy gave a shiver and then a hearty laugh. Once his hair had indeed been blond like his nickname, but now it was streaked with white.

  Although he had loyally served under her father and was considered the best gristmiller in this part of Northumbria, lately he always had an excuse to explain why his sacks of flour were light or delayed. The excuses were plausible, but Alwynn wondered—was he really that loyal to her?

  The current delay had been part of the reason why she’d been forced to scavenge sea coal.

  Alwynn carefully kept her head turned away from the cottage where Valdar lay.

  ‘What brings you here, then?’ She forced a light laugh. ‘Does your wife require another tablet-weaving pattern?’

  He shook his head. ‘She is well supplied at the moment, thank you kindly. I wanted to let you know that I’ve delivered the flour you require. Only the best for my lady. I know how you like the fine flour for your honey cakes.’

  She schooled her features ‘Fine flour? But only two days ago you told me that there was no possibility of it before the autumn harvest.’

  She had thought then that she needed a steward, someone to enforce her will with the point of a sword. But if she provoked Oswy, there was always a possibility that the others would follow his lead. The last thing she wanted was a rebellion. It would play straight into Edwin’s hands. The fine lady who could not adequately protect her tenants did not deserve any estate.

  Oswy and others saw her as a soft touch, Gode often proclaimed. Theodbald had been far too interested in his own pleasure to pursue the rents and Alwynn wasn’t altogether sure if Oswy respected her.

  The older man rubbed the back of his neck. ‘My son had put the wheat in the wrong place, which is why I thought I had none, you see. Once I discovered the mistake, I thought it best to let you know straight away. We wish to stay on at the mill, if all can be resolved, my lady. I have paid my next quarter’s rent before time as well.’

  Alwynn stood up. There was far more to this than simply mislaying flour sacks and rediscovering them a few days later. But a non-direct approach was best. She’d learnt that Oswy dug in his heels and became stubborn if directly accused of not being entirely honest.

  ‘It is good to know. I am grateful you discovered the missing wheat. And that you paid your rent so early.’ She paused and then invited him to tell her the true reason for the sudden discovery. ‘Is there any other news?’

  Oswy wrung his cap between his hands. ‘Lord Edwin departs this afternoon. Tomorrow morning at the very latest.’

  She fought against the urge to clap her hands together in jubilation. The answer to her problem. If Lord Edwin was gone, she could hardly report Valdar’s presence and the manner in which he was discovered. It had to be done in person. She could not risk the message becoming jumbled and she knew that Lord Edwin could neither read nor write.

  And Valdar would be long gone before Lord Edwin returned.

  Her jubilation rapidly faded. Lord Edwin’s departure also opened other more intractable problems. Without warriors, the people in this area would be prime prey for any outlaw who happened past, even if no Northmen came raiding.

  Silently she cursed her husband’s feckless ways and her own inability to see it until it was far too late. If she had taken charge, she might have been able to prevent all the wealth being spent.

  ‘He was supposed to stay here all summer because of the Northmen threat,’ she said when she trusted her voice. ‘He promised protection, particularly after last year’s attempted raid on the River Don. We mustn’t be left vulnerable!’

  She hated how her voice rose and risked a hurried glance at the cottage. She wasn’t going to ask Valdar for help. It would be wrong of her.

  ‘During last night’s visit he said that people should stop seeing shadows. The Northmen will not return. They fear us now. St Cuthbert’s storm last year shattered their ships and killed their leader. His interests are better served near the king and he is going right away.’

  Alwynn tilted her head to one side. Edwin had visited Oswy? Interesting. It explained much about why the flour had gone missing. Edwin had been annoyed that she retained the title to the few remaining hides of land around her hall, including the gristmill. ‘And his prohibition against rescuing any who are washed up from a shipwreck? Lord Edwin blows in the wind.’

  ‘That still stands. It is for our safety. Them Northmen would murder us in our beds, they would.’

  ‘If he truly feels we aren’t safe, he should stay and do his duty. A strong sword arm deters much.’

  Oswy flushed. ‘He has his reasons for seeking the king. There are many who remember that Athelfred once had his kingship taken from him.’

  Alwynn made a face. Edwin put his own interests first, not the interests of his people. And it only spoke of one thing—a return to the civil war which had plagued Northumbria on and off for the past few generations. But she couldn’t worry about matters of state, she had enough to worry about here.

  ‘He stopped the Northmen last year, killing their leader in a sword fight,’ she reminded him.

  ‘He had St Cuthbert’s help then. Without the storm, their boats would not have been wrecked. What if he goes back to his wicked ways and God turns his back on all of us?’

  ‘Athelfred is still the king.’ She held up her hand. ‘I never held with the making and unmaking of kings. Far too many warriors have spent time in banishment. Half the well born had to leave when Athelfred regained the throne. Is it any wonder that the Northmen or the Picts and Gaels or indeed Mercia attack us?’

  Oswy screwed up his face. ‘My Oswald told me a story this morning when he returned from your hall. You are to marry again. A true warrior. There is no need to worry about outlaws or Northmen attacking any more. You are going to keep us safe. Abbe said that I should have trusted you to begin with.’

  Marriage? How did that rumour get started? The back of Alwynn’s neck prickled and she had the horrible suspicion that Merri had been unable to resist telling stories. Again. The child was going to be the death of her.

  ‘Where did he get this idea from?’ She forced the words from her throat while she did combat with the panic that threatened to engulf her.

  ‘Lady Merewynn and the entire hall buzzes about the possibility. My son could not stop grinning from ear to ear when he returned.’ Oswy thumped his fists together. ‘It will be like the old days when your father was alive. There will be a warrior to protect us and our crops.’

  Alwynn’s heart pounded so hard in her chest that she was certain Oswy would hear it. She should have known Merri would find it impossible to keep a secret. No wonder the girl had looked sheepish when she’d asked her to keep the secret.

  ‘He heard this from Lady Merew
ynn?’

  ‘Yes. She wanted to show off Purebright.’ Oswy twisted his cap. ‘Please, my lady. If you know a warrior who might protect us, have pity and marry him. I can’t afford to lose any more grain. The bandits have attacked me three times this spring. They even threw the grinding stone into the mill race the last time.’

  Alwynn firmed her mouth. She knew all about the millstone and had taken steps to deal with it. In her opinion, it had been mischief by Oswald and his friends rather than outlaws, but she had lacked proof.

  ‘Lady Merewynn should not be telling tales,’ she said crisply. ‘And you should not be believing them. You know what she is like.’

  ‘Rumour is that you refused Lord Edwin’s offer because there was someone else and that is why he married that Frankish woman. Is this the man Lady Merewynn was speaking of?’

  ‘The two are entirely unconnected.’ She pinched the bridge of her nose. There was little point in explaining about Edwin and his disreputable offer. He hadn’t wanted her as a wife, but as a mistress. The marriage to the Frankish noblewoman had been arranged long before he had weaselled his way into the king’s affections.

  She clamped her lips together. Long experience had taught her that the gossips around here believed what they wanted, even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

  ‘I’ve no plans to wed again. Ever.’

  Oswy’s face went red. ‘You mean to go into a convent and leave us, then? Have I wasted a betrothal gift?’

  ‘No, not that!’ The words rang out over the garden as Alwynn spied Gode returning via the lower path. In another few heartbeats she’d be at the cottage and scream. The last thing Gode expected to see was a man in her house. She checked her impulse to run over and greet Gode. Oswy would think it strange if she abandoned him.

  She wanted the earth to open up and swallow her. Unless she was very careful, the whole sorry tale would come out and she would risk being branded a traitor for defying Edwin’s order. Even though she had accepted Valdar’s word that he’d had nothing to do with the Lindisfarne raid, would Edwin? Or would he covet the sword and declare that Valdar should be killed?

  ‘What is a stranger doing here?’ Oswy pointed behind her. ‘Who is that man? I thought you were alone here, my lady.’

  Alwynn knew without turning that her luck had truly run out. She had no explanation for why Valdar might be here. She could only hope he was dressed decently. Her mind searched for an answer, but nothing came. Silently she prayed for a miracle.

  ‘I am the new steward.’ Valdar’s voice carried across the garden. ‘The Lady Merewynn has it wrong. There is no marriage intended between Lady Alwynn and me, simply a business arrangement...for the summer.’

  Alwynn stared open-mouthed. All speech seemed to have deserted her. ‘That’s right,’ she gasped out.

  Oswy gulped twice. ‘The new steward? What is he doing here, then? Why is he in the old crone’s cottage?’

  Gode stopped, her face appearing as dumbstruck as Oswy’s. She tilted her head to one side, looking very like a bird waiting for a worm.

  ‘I was investigating the roof,’ Valdar called back. ‘There are several holes which need to be patched.’

  ‘The estate requires one. I have been on the lookout ever since my husband died.’ Alwynn wrapped her arms about her waist. That at least was not a lie. And would it be wrong to ask Valdar to honour his life debt in this fashion? That he become her steward in truth while he took time to recover?

  She turned and saw him standing in the sunlight. He’d retrieved his washed tunic, but he hadn’t bothered with the cloak nor had he bothered with his sword, which she’d left on top of the clean clothes.

  ‘I’m honoured to serve such a lady.’ Valdar made a low bow. ‘I look forward to ensuring that my lady receives her full measure at the appropriate time.’

  Oswy’s gaze narrowed. ‘You’re not from around here. Why did my lady hire you?’

  Alwynn concentrated hard on the ground and taking slow breaths. Everything was about to come tumbling down around her ears unless she got it right.

  ‘Where I come from, men who withhold the full measure from widows are considered the lowest of the low. Whether it is in the matter of flour or wool.’ There was no mistaking the icy calm determination in Valdar’s voice.

  She risked a glance upwards. Valdar was staring at Oswy with deadly determination while Gode watched the scene with unabashed interest.

  Oswy twisted his cap as his face became flushed beetroot-red. ‘There were reasons. I...I lost it, but it has been found again. My lady understands, don’t you, my lady? The new flour was to be a betrothal gift, but you must keep it as a token of my...my goodwill.’

  ‘Where I come from, sacks of flour do not move about like living things. They are hard to lose. However, perhaps the flour from your land is different?’

  Oswy flushed an even deeper red. ‘It is good that my lady understands.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Valdar stepped forward. ‘I trust those reasons no longer exist. And make up any shortfall.’

  ‘Yes, yes, whatever you say, my lord steward.’ The colour finally drained from Oswy’s face and then, making his excuses, he hurried away.

  Gode came forward. She looked Valdar up and down with a keen eye. ‘Are you living here or at the hall?’

  ‘That is up to my Lady Alwynn,’ he replied smoothly.

  Alwynn winced, waiting for Gode to explode or ask an awkward question about the roof of her cottage. Instead her old nurse did nothing of the sort.

  ‘I could use a man about the house,’ Gode remarked. ‘Think about it, Alwynn, and the only way you will get me out of here is feet first. Sharing with a handsome warrior is just the thing to warm my bones.’

  She bustled into the cottage. Alwynn was torn between the desire to laugh or cry. Of all Gode’s possible responses, she had most emphatically not expected that one.

  Exerting all of her hard-won self-control, Alwynn waited until she heard Gode rummaging about in the cottage. One problem at a time. The last thing she wanted was to get her old nurse involved more than she already was. She had no doubt Gode would have more than a word to say if she knew what Alwynn had truly done.

  ‘Your nurse approves of me being your steward?’ Valdar remarked into the silence.

  ‘She’d approve of a Northman if he put Oswy in his place.’

  ‘Any particular reason why?’

  ‘A feud which goes back years. Something about a failed promise to her sister, I believe. It just has always been there. It is a bit of a joke in these parts.’ Alwynn stared after Gode. ‘I was inclined to think she made too much of it because, before this spring, I had always considered him to be loyal to my family.’

  ‘I’ll remember that.’ A faint breeze whipped the hair back from his face, revealing its hardened planes. ‘In my new capacity as steward, this sort of intelligence can help.’

  ‘Are you really going to be my steward?’

  ‘You declared me to be one to your tenant, quite an important tenant. I would hardly wish to contradict you or cause you to find a reason why I suddenly departed.’ Valdar’s face wore a maddening smile.

  ‘I will think of something plausible.’ Alwynn hated that her mind was stubbornly blank except for noting the breadth of his shoulders.

  ‘I am happy to reside here for the duration of my stay,’ Valdar remarked, making no move to go from the doorway. ‘It will suit my purposes.’

  The muscles tightened in Alwynn’s jaw. Exploding at him was only going to make matters worse. ‘Gode has her own ideas. I had made no decision about where you will be living.’

  He raised a brow. ‘Indeed.’

  She crossed her arms and concentrated on breathing deeply. When she felt her temper was under control, she continued, ‘Your presence will be common knowledge by nightfall.’

  ‘That miller was cheating you, but I suspect you will get the correct amount of flour by the evening.’

  ‘What are you doing? Didn
’t you hear what I said? Everyone will know. I had it under control. Merri is known for her flights of fancy. But, no, you came out.’

  ‘I overheard your earlier conversation and spied the old lady coming down the track. I thought it best to volunteer.’ He raised a brow. ‘Before disaster struck. Before your nurse entered the cottage and discovered me lurking. I’m not one to cower and shake waiting for discovery. Think about what could have happened.’

  And disaster hadn’t struck? Alwynn struggled for a breath. Things had happened far too fast. She hated feeling as if she wasn’t in control or that everyone was playing by a different set of rules. ‘But it didn’t happen. And now everyone will think I have a new steward. They will start to ask questions. Where I hired you from? For how long?’

  ‘I take it that the position is vacant.’

  His quiet words cut through her panic. She drew an unsteady breath and concentrated on a spot above his left shoulder.

  ‘Yes, it has become clear over the last few months—either I can work in my garden or I can ensure rents and renders are collected. It was something I’d hoped to address after the harvest.’

  ‘Why didn’t you have one before?’

  ‘Because he cheated me and my late husband. The entries in the ledger did not add up. When I discovered it, I sent him packing.’ She shook her head. ‘I lost my temper and may have brandished a sword. Thankfully he didn’t know I could barely lift the thing.’ She gave a careful shrug. It had felt good shouting and brandishing the sword. Finally to be doing something, rather than wringing her hands and waiting to be rescued.

  At Valdar’s perplexed expression, she added. ‘Anger made me strong.’

  ‘Trust me with the true explanation.’

  ‘Because...I didn’t wish to get cheated again. I wanted to wait and find someone I trusted.’

  He raised his brow. ‘By not hiring a steward, you allowed people like that man licence to do as they wished. You risked losing everything.’