Surrender To The Viking

by Joanna Fulford

  ‘Yes, I heard. The uncertainty is understandable but I’m sure it’s unfounded.’

  ‘You say that very confidently.’

  ‘The bond between my father and his brother is strong. My uncle won’t let the side down. There’s nothing he likes more than a battle, which means there must be a good reason for his absence.’

  In spite of himself Finn smiled. ‘He sounds like a real character.’

  ‘He is.’

  ‘Does he resemble your father?’

  ‘Not really, apart from the red hair of course. I should explain that Uncle Njall is roughly the size of a barn door and strong enough to tear the head off an aurochs.’

  ‘Well, let’s hope he gets here soon. He sounds like the sort of man I need. Dare I hope that his crew takes after him?’

  She laughed. ‘He’s one of a kind but he leads some tough men.’

  ‘That’s encouraging.’ It really was, although that wasn’t the reason why his breath suddenly caught in his throat. Laughter suited her, he decided. It suited her very much.

  ‘My uncle fought a bear once. He’d gone out hunting and it attacked him. He still has the scars to prove it.’

  ‘I’ll wager he has. Did he kill the beast in the end?’

  ‘Yes, but it nearly killed him as well. It chewed his ear off and its claws tore his arm and ripped his shoulder to the bone. Fortunately his men had the sense to wash out the wounds with mead before they sewed him up. Apparently it took six of them to hold him down.’

  ‘I can well imagine.’

  ‘My father says he’s never heard swearing like it. Even their berserker friends were impressed.’

  Finn chuckled. ‘I don’t suppose your father repeated that part of the story.’

  ‘Unfortunately not, although we importuned him most strongly.’

  ‘We?’

  ‘Asa and Alrik and I.’

  ‘Ah.’

  ‘Anyway, Uncle Njall survived. He kept the bear’s skin too, as a bed cover.’

  ‘Practical as well as brave, then?’

  ‘He earned his trophy.’

  ‘Yes, he did.’

  She sighed. ‘I wish I’d been there to see it but it happened many years before I was born.’

  ‘Has anyone ever told you that you have a bloodthirsty turn of mind?’

  She threw him a sideways glance. ‘It may have been mentioned once or twice.’

  Finn laughed, enjoying her. The look in her eye was beguiling as well as mischievous and it seemed to him that her lips had never looked as kissable as they did just then. He resisted the temptation, unwilling to destroy the present mood.

  ‘Was it your uncle who inspired you to learn sword craft?’ he asked.

  Her expression grew sober again. ‘No, that was after Asa left.’

  Finn hesitated. This was uncertain territory and he didn’t want to alienate her, especially when she had been so communicative before.

  ‘Forgive me, I didn’t mean to pry but I should like to understand.’

  To his relief Lara seemed more surprised than offended. For a second or two she was silent but he made no attempt to fill the gap. He would not force her confidence.

  ‘It was a symbolic gesture for the most part,’ she replied, ‘because it didn’t do anything for Asa—she died anyway. All the same it made me feel less helpless.’

  ‘How did she die?’

  ‘In childbed. Her husband got a child on her soon after the marriage but it was a difficult birth. She died in fear and pain among strangers.’

  ‘You loved her very much, didn’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I loved her.’ The blue-green eyes burned. ‘And if I could I would take a sword and slay the man responsible for killing her.’

  ‘By that you mean her husband?’

  ‘He.’

  ‘Unfortunately it is not uncommon for women to die in childbed. Her husband could not have prevented it.’

  ‘Childbed was the last element of the tragedy. She died a little every day she was with him.’

  They lapsed into silence. He could feel the anger flowing out of her. Not just anger either but also sorrow and loss. He understood it. Had he too not felt all of those things? Only the circumstances were different. He wondered then if Bótey had died a little with each day of his absence. If he’d been there, if he’d been the kind of husband she’d needed the whole sorry mess could have been avoided. Whatever happened he didn’t want to repeat the mistake.

  ‘It doesn’t have to be like that,’ he said.

  ‘True. I know of people who are happily married.’

  The next question formed in his mind but he knew better than to ask it. To do so would put Lara between the cliff and the maelstrom. Besides, he already knew the answer. All he could hope for was that time might change it.

  ‘I should like—

  He broke off as the look-out hailed the camp. ‘Ship approaching!’

  Immediately the men leaped to their feet and ran to the water’s edge. Finn’s heartbeat quickened. The vessel was some distance away so it was impossible to make out the details but there was a better than even chance it was the one they were waiting for.

  As the distance shortened they could make out the clean lines and dragon prow of a warship, her oars dipping and rising in unison. She was travelling fast. Lara looked at Alrik who had appeared beside them.

  ‘Is it our uncle?’

  ‘I damned well hope so,’ he replied.

  Finn silently echoed the sentiment. Once he had the reinforcements he could implement the next part of the plan. Without them...

  An expectant hush descended, every man there straining to identify the rapidly approaching vessel. As her crew had sighted the two moored ships she altered course slightly, making straight for them. As they came closer Alrik beamed.

  ‘It’s the Sea Snake!’

  A cheer greeted the words. Finn let out a long breath, mentally thanking the gods. It really did look as though they might be on his side after all. The Sea Snake’s crew stopped rowing and the big ship glided in and slowed.

  ‘Can you see Uncle Njall?’ asked Lara.

  Alrik shook his head. ‘That’s Guthrum in the prow.’

  ‘Guthrum?’ asked Finn.

  ‘A cousin,’ replied Lara. ‘My uncle’s third son and the one most like him in looks.’

  Finn didn’t care about her cousin’s numerical ranking or his physical appearance; all that mattered was his arrival. Guthrum cupped his hands and called across to them.

  ‘Hail the camp!’

  ‘Hail yourself!’ replied Alrik. ‘What the blazes kept you?’

  ‘Long story.’

  Guthrum swung himself over the side and, flanked by a dozen of his crewmen, waded ashore. He engulfed Alrik in a hearty hug and then seized Lara by the waist, lifting her up to bestow a resounding kiss.

  ‘It’s good to see you both! Lara, you’re even prettier than I remembered.’ He returned her to earth and looked around, his gaze meeting Finn’s. Lara hurriedly introduced them.

  Finn smiled. ‘I’m glad to see you, Guthrum. You and your men are most welcome.’ He thought he’d never said truer words in his life.

  Guthrum smiled in return. ‘Good to be here, my lord.’

  ‘We’d almost given you up for lost,’ said Alrik.

  ‘We only got Uncle Ottar’s message three days ago when we got back from Sogn,’ replied Guthrum.

  ‘What were you doing there?’

  ‘Business trip.’

  Alrik eyed him speculatively. ‘Lucrative?’

  His cousin grinned. ‘Not bad. Anyway, when we returned we found out what was toward. Then it was a case of loading up with fresh provisions and turning the ship around and heading stra
ight out again.’

  ‘Well, better late than never. Where’s Uncle Njall?’

  ‘Fell off a ladder and broke his leg while he was mending a roof last month. You should have heard him swear.’

  ‘I can imagine,’ said Alrik.

  ‘As it is, he won’t be going anywhere for a while.’

  ‘Pity. Still it’s good to see you, Cousin.’

  ‘That it is,’ said Finn. ‘Will you and your men join us in a cup of ale?’

  Guthrum nodded. ‘Gladly. Then you can tell us all the details about this venture.’

  When the ale was poured and the men had sat down around the fire, Finn obliged. They listened intently, grim-faced.

  ‘Steingrim’s reputation for treachery is well known,’ said Guthrum when at length the tale was told. ‘It’ll be a pleasure to settle accounts with the swine.’

  Growls of approval greeted this from the listening men.

  ‘We shall,’ said Finn.

  ‘Do we know where he is?’

  ‘About half a day in front of us, or a little more. He sailed right past us in the fog.’

  Guthrum grinned. ‘Excellent. Now we have the element of surprise.’

  ‘Quite so.’

  ‘What’s the plan then, my lord?’

  * * *

  Lara sat a little apart, listening quietly while the men talked. She could not but feel relief at her cousin’s arrival and guessed that Finn and Alrik must be feeling the same. They had not spoken of their concern but she had seen it in their faces. She had also sensed the underlying tension in Finn. This wasn’t just some petty raid he was planning; it was a matter of life and death. Steingrim wouldn’t give up. He had to be confronted and killed or they would spend the rest their lives looking over their shoulders. That wasn’t the kind of future she wanted. Thus far she hadn’t considered the future in any detail; the advent of marriage had been so traumatic that she had been lost in a black fog of anger and resentment, existing only from day to day. Now she found herself thinking ahead to a time beyond Steingrim when she and Finn would settle properly into married life. Although she couldn’t view it with unbounded joy, the idea wasn’t as unwelcome as it had once been. Without her even being aware of it the dark gloom had lifted and she no longer felt its suffocating, oppressive weight. Nor was she inclined to rail any more against what could not be altered. Finn was not as Asa’s husband had been. That much was apparent. It doesn’t have to be like that. I should like... What? A well-run hall, perhaps? Domestic harmony? She sighed. It didn’t seem such a bad idea. They didn’t love each other but they might learn to rub along together. It had to be better than continual strife.

  She wondered what his first wife had been like, apart from unfaithful. Had she been very beautiful? Had he loved her or was theirs another marriage of convenience? The latter seemed most likely. If she’d loved him she couldn’t have been unfaithful. He wasn’t brutal or coarse so was it rather that she’d found him lacking as a lover? Lara didn’t have to ponder that very long: the recollection of his kiss created doubt enough. Her experience was limited but if the mere idea of sharing his bed had caused a hot flush what would the reality be like?

  The question caused a whole raft of disturbing thoughts. For the first time she admitted the inevitability of physical union with Finn. They were husband and wife. Eventually he would want sons to continue his line. That he had not already enforced his marital rights was astounding even if he did have other things on his mind. When you decide you want to become a real woman let me know. Lara bit her lip. Not only did he not think of her as a real woman he didn’t even find her desirable. Now that resentment had cooled she was forced to admit that Finn would have had his pick of women in the past. He hadn’t picked her, though. It didn’t even bother him when their marriage wasn’t consummated. A couple of days ago that situation had seemed quite satisfactory; now what she felt was more like mortification.

  Her private musing was interrupted by Guthrum’s arrival. ‘Well, my little cousin, you are a married woman now I hear.’

  ‘Oh, yes. That’s right.’

  ‘You finally took the plunge, eh? Word is you were mighty hard to please.’

  ‘Is that right?’

  ‘I know some of your rejected suitors, remember.’

  ‘Ah.’

  ‘Well, why should you not take your time? It’s a pretty woman’s prerogative after all.’ He lowered his large frame on to a rock beside her. ‘And you’ve made a fine choice.’

  Although choice had never entered into the arrangement it seemed politic not to mention it. Nor did she wish to go into the details. Guthrum could keep his illusions. ‘I’m glad you think so.’

  ‘Jarl Finn’s reputation is well known and, unlike Steingrim’s, for all the right reasons. You’re a lucky girl.’

  ‘As you say, Cousin.’

  ‘I’ll wager there are plenty who would like to be in your shoes.’

  ‘It’s a wager I’m sure you’d win.’

  ‘What woman could object to sharing her bed with such a man?’

  Lara gave him an ambiguous smile. Trust him to leap to that conclusion. It was time to shift the focus of the conversation. ‘I hope that Greta is well.’

  He nodded. ‘Well enough, I thank you. She’s carrying our third child now.’

  ‘Goodness, is she?’

  ‘The baby’s due in another month, more or less.’

  ‘Well, congratulations.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘How long have you two been married now?’

  ‘Five years.’ He grinned. ‘At this rate I’d say we’re going to have a large family. I don’t suppose it’ll be very long before you’ve a few children of your own.’

  Her cheeks grew warmer. ‘Guthrum, I’ve only been married a few days.’

  He chuckled. ‘It takes less time than that to conceive a child.’

  Her blush deepened. The man was incorrigible. ‘I bow to your superior knowledge.’

  ‘As well you should.’

  ‘Get your mind out of the midden, Cousin, and tell me the rest of the family news,’ she replied.

  He laughed but, to her relief, complied and the conversation moved into less hazardous waters.

  * * *

  Finn kept up his part in the conversation with his present companions but he couldn’t stop his gaze from wandering across the intervening space to where Lara was sitting. She looked pensive, completely lost in her own world. He’d have given a good deal to know her thoughts. Did he feature there at all? Her manner seemed less distant than it had erewhile; once or twice even friendly, but he didn’t want to read too much into that. He saw Guthrum get up and go to sit with her. They were speaking quietly so he couldn’t hear the conversation but they seemed to be very relaxed in each other’s company. Their shared laughter was a pointed reminder of the gulf that lay between himself and his wife. It also created a twinge of something suspiciously like jealousy. He fought it. Why on earth he should feel jealous over something so trivial was beyond him. They were cousins for goodness’ sake.

  However, his self-control was tested further when half-a-dozen others came over to sit with Lara and Guthrum. Clearly all of them were known to her because she greeted them with a smile and fell readily into conversation. Members of her uncle’s household no doubt. Some were older men but by no means all, and while their manner was unmistakably respectful he didn’t fail to see the admiring looks directed her way. It pleased him that other men should find his wife attractive but he’d have preferred their admiration to be at a greater distance. He sighed. That kind of thinking had been entirely absent in his recent dealings with women; he wooed them, bedded them and moved on. Not since Bótey had he experienced such raw possessiveness.

  The discovery of her perfidy had been a knife in the guts.
He hadn’t suspected a thing until he found her gone. The swift interrogation of a frightened servant established the facts. The affair must have been going on for months until in the end she’d decided that a future with her lover looked better than the one she might have had with her husband. He’d been jealous then all right, and made furious with the pain of betrayal. But no matter how great his rage he’d never have harmed Bótey. His purpose in pursuing her had been to get her back. He’d been prepared to kill the man who stood in his way but never to do her physical harm. He’d thought she would have known that but it seemed she hadn’t known him at all. He should have sheathed the sword before he tried to approach her but it hadn’t occurred to him that she might think he intended to use it on her.

  ‘Your lovely wife is a real asset,’ said Unnr.

  Finn snapped back to awareness. ‘What was that about my wife?’

  ‘I said she’s an asset.’

  ‘Oh. Oh, yes, she is.’

  ‘It was a cunning move to bring her along, my lord.’

  ‘You think so?’

  ‘Of course. Men will fight better with a woman looking on.’

  ‘She won’t be looking on,’ replied Finn. ‘She’ll be in a much safer place.’

  ‘I didn’t mean literally,’ said Unnr. ‘Stands to reason you wouldn’t put her at risk. All the same, every man here will want to give a good account of himself in the fight because she’ll be the first to hear the story afterwards.’

  ‘You mean they’ll want to boast of their battle fame.’

  ‘What man doesn’t want to impress a lovely woman, especially when she’s the wife of his jarl? Her approval adds to the prestige.’

  ‘Does it really?’

  ‘Yes, my lord, especially when that approval is not easily won.’

  ‘It sounds to me as if you inherited your brother’s romantic streak. Either that or the ale’s stronger than it seems.’

  Unnr sniffed. ‘You may mock, my lord, but you’ll see if I’m not right.’

  Chapter Eleven

  The men rose early the next morning in preparation for a reconnaissance mission. Lara watched Finn arm.

  ‘Let me come with you.’