She had a single regret—leaving Wulf and their father. Edward loved her. It was the one unaltered fact of her existence. It gave her strength, even in the face of the losses she’d endured. Her brother. Her cousin. So many others who had died in the never-ending wars. Her father was always there for her and there were many times his arms were her sole support. If only he could see her mother’s pain the same way. His mind was always elsewhere, protecting his people who were foremost in his life. And yet, he was blind to so much of what lay before him at home.
Elfwynn picked up a shawl lying on a bench against the house and spread it over her mother’s thin shoulders. Rohesia smiled her thanks, then continued weeding.
She walked to the house, but before entering, she glanced back at her mother’s bent frame. If the earl had made a clean break with them years ago, it would have been better for all of them, especially her mother. But he hadn’t.
Now, it was up to her.
Chapter Two
“Daughter, stop frowning when you embroider. You’ll get wrinkles and be so ugly no man will want you.”
Rowena glanced at her mother and pasted on a pleasant expression. As though that was all she was—a face. It was all men saw. That and her dowry. Sometimes, she wished she could live as Elfwynn did, in a little house away from the keep and all its intrigue. Away from her mother. Her brother, at least, could escape by fighting battles. Wulf was gone, even now, and would have blessed peace for a couple of weeks. And Father had gone also. It had been a last-minute decision, so they could find as many of their forces as possible.
“Go see if the midday meal is ready. Not that you need to eat. You can’t afford to lose your waistline. Those lazy cooks will probably be late with it while the earl is gone. As though we don’t matter. I suppose in his eyes, we don’t. His indifference spreads to the staff. Go on now. Let me know when it’s ready.”
Rowena set aside her embroidery and stood. “Yes, Mother.”
“And change your gown. You look dowdy, like a village woman.”
“Yes, Mother.” She’d worn the older dress because it was comfortable. It wasn’t as though they were expecting anyone at the keep with her father gone. None of that mattered to her mother. As lady of the keep, she dressed well with the fine gowns and jewels befitting her rank. Rowena preferred less formality, but her mother would have none of it. Rather than cross her, Rowena gave in. Always. It was safer that way.
She slipped out of the room before her mother could think of another cut and breathed a sigh of relief. As she hurried along the hallway, Wigberht ran into her. The nasty man her mother had brought along as part of her dowry years ago didn’t even acknowledge her. He continued toward the sewing room and entered without knocking.
“Lady Mildburg, I have grave news.”
The tone of his voice caught Rowena’s attention. She stepped back to the door. He hadn’t closed it all the way, so she leaned in to listen.
“I was riding along the river road to the east when I heard foreign voices in the woods. With all the Northmen in the area, I thought I should see who they were. Five of their longships are beached on the shore. There must be over two hundred warriors there.”
“The ships of the Northmen come and go all the time, Wigberht. They infest this part of Northumbria like fleas.”
“Yes, my lady. But three of the ships bore signs of burn marks. The Northman Rorik has returned. I saw him there among the men.”
“Do they plan to attack?”
“I got as close to them as was safe. Their language and ours are similar enough that I understood much of what they said. He spoke of seeing the earl’s daughters when they were here before. He described both Elfwynn and Rowena to his men. They plan to take one and hold her for ransom. Rorik wants the value of his ship and of the men we killed.”
A piece of furniture scraped and crashed against the floor. “He will not have Rowena. You know what happens to women they take.”
“Then I fear they’ll attack. I’ll alert the keep, call the men.”
“Wait. You said one of the earl’s daughters. They know he has two of them. What if we were to give them Elfwynn?”
“They want a ransom, not the girl. The earl is gone and we don’t have access to the treasury. What will happen when we don’t pay them?”
“They’ll take Edward’s bastard daughter with them to sell as a slave to get their money. Or they’ll rape and kill her. Either way, it gets rid of her. Wulfric and Rowena won’t have to share their inheritance with her. Her whore of a mother is ailing, I hear. Pining away from the death of her son and the love she has for my husband. The loss of her precious daughter will surely send her to her grave.” She sighed. “Such a pity.”
“How will we get Elfwynn to the Northmen, my lady?”
Rowena trembled with—fear? Anger? Shock? Her mother had been bitter since she’d learned of Elfwynn’s existence years ago, but not even she could be so heartless. She peeked through the partly open door. The chair her mother had been sitting in was overturned on the floor. She was pacing, her head down, then spun and faced Wigberht.
“I need the pure white wool from Hunfrith’s farm. Immediately. Elfwynn is the only one who can make certain of its quality. If you tell her I want her to get it for me, she’ll suspect you. There are men among Edward’s warriors who are loyal to me. I have shown them my appreciation for all they’ve done over the years with a great deal of gold. She’ll trust them. They’ll accompany her, of course, to guard her. She’ll have to travel right past where you said the ships were beached. The Northmen will be spreading out by that time and her guards will happen to lose sight of her. They might even make noise and lead those barbarians to her. If this Rorik saw her earlier, he’ll know who she is.
“Follow behind to make certain this happens. When they send the ransom demand, intercept it. Wait a suitable amount of time, as though you’ve brought it to the earl. He left so suddenly, I doubt Elfwynn knows of it. Then, go back and tell them he says a bastard isn’t worth the price. They may keep her as their payment. The last thing she’ll know is that the father she thought doted on her doesn’t love her after all. She’ll die with that thought.
“We can’t risk the two guards talking, so you’ll take care of them for me before they return here.” The corners of her mouth turned down in an exaggerated frown. “How tragic they’ll die trying to save Elfwynn from the evil barbarians.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Afterward, report back to me. I’ll be waiting, to reward you quite handsomely, as I have all through the years.”
Wigburht dropped to his knees in front of her, gazing up at her as though he worshipped her. “I’ll do this for you, my lady. I was your man before you came here to marry the earl, and I always will be.”
Rowena’s blood ran cold. The rumors about her mother’s infidelity were true. She gasped before she could stop it and Wigberht looked around Mildburg toward the doorway. His eyes widened. She spun and ran, but he caught up to her and dragged her back to her mother.
“What have you heard, Rowena?” Mildburg advanced on her.
“I don’t know what you mean.” She jerked away from Wigberht and rubbed her stinging arm. “I was coming back to tell you—”
“Don’t lie to me.” She shook her. “You’ve been listening. If you say one word to anyone about this, you’ll wish you were the one the Northmen took. I’ll sell you to the old, fat earl in East Anglia who wants you. He’s been married four times and every wife has died. Most say he murders them. Now he’s asked the earl for your hand. Do you want that, Rowena?”
“N-No.” Her legs shook as she stumbled back, and her eyes filled.
“I do this for you.” Mildburg’s voice softened as she touched her on the cheek. “Because your father acknowledged Elfwynn as his, she’s entitled to a third of his estate, stealing what is rightfully yours and Wulfric’s. This way, it will be divided into just two portions. I’m only thinking of you, my daughter.”
Only thinking of herself. If Elfwynn disappeared, Rohesia would grieve to death and that would give her mother revenge against Edward. Rowena eyed her. She couldn’t take the chance that she’d be given to the East Anglian earl. She’d heard of him, how all his wives died under mysterious circumstances. No doubt her mother could bring this about.
“I’ve never liked Elfwynn anyhow. I won’t say anything.” At least not until she could find someone she could trust. Who knew how far her mother’s reach went? But Elfwynn’s time was short.
“Wigberht, take her to her room and make certain she stays there. Post a man you can trust outside. She’ll remain there alone, contemplating her disobedience. My own maid will bring her food, but no one else is to enter there.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
He took her arm but she wrenched it away when they walked into the hallway. “You’ll not touch me.”
He said nothing while they walked to her room. As he opened the door, he sneered at her. “Don’t think to try to escape. The Lady Mildburg might not want to harm you, but if you get in the way of what I have here, I won’t be so squeamish. And that goes for when the earl returns as well. Remember that. If I fall, you fall with me.”
After he closed the door, she sank onto the bed. While she had always been ambivalent about Elfwynn, no one deserved the fate her mother had planned for her. But what could she do? Father and Wulf might be gone for weeks and by the time she was freed, it would be far too late to do anything. The earl was a great warrior and a fine tactician, but it was obvious he knew nothing about what went on in his own home. Neither had she. They’d all been so blind.
She clenched her fists, her nails biting into the palms. She loved her father. He’d always been good to her, even if he didn’t like her mother. That shrew had betrayed him all these years. Now, she endangered them all by not telling the guards about the Northmen. If they were attacked, they’d be unprepared. Treason and adultery. Both were reasons for her father to finally divorce his wife.
When the earl came home, she would have her revenge. If she was quick about it, Wigberht and her mother wouldn’t be able to act on their threats. Then, she would be free of the insults, the abuse, and never being good enough.
Looking around her tiny room, she hugged her knees to her chest. For now, she was at her mother’s mercy.
And, as she knew all too well, Mildburg had none.
* * *
“Elfwynn, two of the earl’s men are here to see you.” Rohesia carried a basket of vegetables from their garden into their small house. “They said the Lady Mildburg needs you to go to Hunfrith’s farm for more of their white wool.”
She sighed. Anyone could do that. Mildburg always said it was so Elfwynn could be certain she was getting the best wool, but all of Hunfrith’s was of very high quality. Still, it wasn’t an unusual request. Or rather, demand. At least she wouldn’t have to see the woman. She’d give the wool to the two guards and they’d take it to the keep.
It might be good to stop for a time, anyhow. She’d been weaving continuously for several days. Her arms were cramping at night. Time away from her loom would be beneficial. Patting her belt pouch, she made certain she had her silver and gold coins with her. She never went anywhere without it, to be certain nothing happened to it. Her mother wouldn’t be able to prevent anyone from taking it and they couldn’t risk that. She’d worked too hard for it.
“I won’t be long.” Her mother’s body felt so thin as she hugged her. “You’ll eat a good dinner tonight if I must feed you myself.”
Rohesia set the basket on the table. “I’ll try. Take your time. It’s early yet and you’ve been closed in this house for days. You work too hard.”
“I’ll be fine. I love you.”
She grabbed her shawl, for the breeze along the river road might be chill. It was unique, with many different colors, the only one she’d ever woven like that. It was so beautiful, she’d never been able to part with it, her one indulgence.
Walking outside, she swirled the shawl over her shoulders and pinned it closed with her brooch. Two of her father’s men stood outside, waiting with their horses. They were new, having joined the army only a year ago. She knew them though, so Wulf would be pleased she was under their protection.
“Litwin, Oshern, did you draw the short straws to have to come with me? At least it’s a pleasant day.”
Neither of them would meet her gaze, each looking in a different direction. “It’s no trouble, Elfwynn,” Oshern said. “And, as you said, the weather is fine.”
They seemed uneasy. She gave them a questioning look, but they still wouldn’t glance at her. Then again, they must have just come from speaking with Mildburg. Who knew what abuse she’d threatened them with? Encounters with her would make anyone nervous.
Oshern mounted his horse. Litwin helped her up behind him, then climbed on his own. They rode into the forest and onto the river road. Though deep woods stood between it and the water, the road followed the Humber east to the outlying farms. The forest hid the keep from ships, so most of the time the Northmen passed them by. The one who came here weeks ago must have known of them from some other source.
They were halfway to Hunfrith’s farm when Litwin held up his hand. They reined in their horses.
“I thought I heard voices.” He studied the woods toward the river. “We’d better make certain who it is.”
Oshern reached behind him and took her arm. “It’s better if you remain here, Elfwynn. If we have to fight, we couldn’t protect you.” He let her down from the horse.
She gathered her shawl around her as she glanced around them. “What if it’s Northmen? You can’t just leave me here.”
He pointed. “Stay in the trees. They’ll keep you hidden until we come back for you.”
They rode off, leaving her standing in the road. Her heart pounded. Why didn’t one of them stay with her? Surely it didn’t take both of them to see what the noise was. She hadn’t heard anything, and her hearing was better than most.
She darted into the shadows and leaned against a tree, her heart racing. Straining to listen, she heard nothing. Not voices, nor the men’s horses. Not even birds. The forest was too silent. Her rapid breathing was the only sound. She tried to calm herself. If anything were to happen, she had to think. She couldn’t do that if she were frightened.
Long moments passed. Then the sound of hoofbeats came, growing louder. The men were returning. She leaned around the trunk to look, not wanting to give herself away if it wasn’t them.
It was. She recognized their horses as they trotted through the trees. But when she stepped out to greet them, they veered away and urged their horses faster. She ran after them, shouting. They gained the road and galloped away.
Standing in the sun, she stared after them. Why did they leave her? They had to have heard her, knew where she was. Even if they were running from other men, they should have stopped for her.
Other men? She jumped as something crashed through the forest toward her. She ran for the woods in the opposite direction as a horse broke out from the trees. The man mounted on it looked to the west, where the two guards had gone. He started to turn in that direction as she tried to run into the shadows before he saw her. But he reined the horse around and their eyes met.
“Now I have the real prize.” He rode toward her.
She ran. Then the horse was at her side and the rider grabbed her shawl. She pulled away from him. The thin wool tore where it was fastened with the brooch, freeing her. He dropped it.
She scrambled away again, heading for the thick brush just ahead. If only she could disappear into it . . .
A strong arm reached down and wrapped around her waist. The rider hauled her in front of him, laying her across his thighs. She reared up, trying to slither off head first, but he took her wrists in one hand and held them behind her, pressing on her back. She couldn’t move. Her hair cascaded around her, blocking her ability to see anything but the ground.
> “Let me go.” She kicked, but hit only air.
“All in good time.” He walked the horse back into the trees, toward the river.
The river? Where the Northmen were? He had an accent, one she’d never heard before. Was he one of them? Her heart stuttered. “My guards will be looking for me. You must have seen them.”
“Ah yes. The brave men who ran at the first sight of us. And if they’re yours, then they’re cowards for leaving an earl’s daughter alone in the woods. They led me right to you.”
He knew who she was? How could that be? “I don’t know what you mean.”
“I saw you and your sister when I was here negotiating with your treacherous father a few weeks ago. You both came to the keep gateway. I recognize you. Which is convenient, since I need one of you.”
That didn’t sound good. She tried to break free, but his hand tightened around her wrists. Jerking hard, she twisted one of her hands free and swung at his head. He blocked it.
“I didn’t want to do this.” He caught her free hand and brought her arms back behind her as she bucked. A soft rope wrapped around her wrists and she screamed in frustration as he tied her. She had no chance against him. Even if she broke free and fell from the horse, she couldn’t catch herself. She tried to calm her breathing. Think. She had to think.
Taking her by the waist, he lifted her up as though she weighed nothing, until she sat in front of him. To her shock, he was very gentle as he did so. He brushed back the hair that had fallen in her face. She truly looked at him for the first time.
Silver-green eyes froze her. His hair was black, falling straight to his belt, and he was much larger than any of the men of Northumbria. Except, perhaps, her brother. Then she knew.
“You’re the Northman who came to our holding and spoke with my father. You wanted gold in exchange for leaving us in peace.”
He inclined his head. “I’m Rorik of Vargfjell. I won’t harm you. That, I promise. I only want the value of the ship he burned and wergeld for the loss of two of my men. Once your father pays me, I’ll free you.” He studied her. “What is your name?”
Lord of the Seas Page 2
