The Viking's Touch

‘No, but it is not in his interest to cause trouble here. Drakensburgh is a means to an end for him.’

‘So it could be again, but this time for gold—a business arrangement.’

‘A business arrangement that would give him great power.’

The maid regarded her sympathetically. ‘I understand why you hesitate, my lady, but all men cannot be judged by Earl Torstein’s standards, or Lord Ingvar’s, either.’

‘It may be so. I wouldn’t know.’ Anwyn sighed. ‘However, what’s past cannot be amended. I am free of the brute my father chained me to, and I will not exchange him for another.’

Jodis looked hurt. ‘My lady, if I thought Lord Wulfgar such another I would never have suggested this idea.’

‘I am sure you meant well. It matters not in any case; he’d never agree to such a scheme. He’s an adventurer, a man who values his freedom. He’d never saddle himself with this.’

‘No, perhaps not.’ Jodis sighed and retrieved the distaff, carefully winding on more wool. ‘It was just an idea.’

They lapsed into silence after this but, although she tried to dismiss it, Anwyn found that the idea persisted. What if she were to hire the services of the mercenary force? How long would they be prepared to remain? More to the point, how long would she be able to pay them? Long enough for Ingvar to give up hope and find another rich wife instead? Or at least to give up hope of Drakensburgh? That would be a desperate gamble. Torstein had been wealthy, but the gold was not inexhaustible. The Sea Wolf’s crew would indeed command large sums for their services.

And then there was Lord Wulfgar. He disturbed her more than she cared to admit, though she could not have said precisely why. In him were depths she could not sound. The man was a mass of contradictions. Something about him suggested danger, but not in any familiar sense of the word. His manner was direct and assured but, despite the predatory nickname, it was not that of an obvious aggressor. At the same time she knew instinctively that it would be a serious error to cross him. Only a fool would do that, and then only once. If he agreed to help her, she certainly wouldn’t make that mistake. She had no wish to earn his enmity. Besides, if she hired his services he would take orders from her. She smiled in self-mockery. It was ridiculous to let her mind range so far ahead. Only a fool would imagine that such a man would involve himself in the affairs of a woman. And only a coward would avoid sounding him out.

Chapter Six

He heard her out in silence, his face impassive. She had not known what to expect for he was skilled at hiding his thoughts; but at least she was spared any appearance of scorn. Somehow her voice remained level as she outlined the proposal, giving no indication of the thumping heart within her breast. No indication either of how keenly this invited proximity disturbed her equilibrium. Nothing in his manner suggested that this interview was having the least effect on him; he seemed to take it in his stride, like everything else he did.

They were standing in the hall, ordinarily a place she avoided whenever possible for its old associations with Torstein. Yet somehow the presence of this stranger drove the shadows back; he dominated the space and made it his own. While he was there she felt no desire to leave. Besides, as the heart of Drakensburgh, the hall seemed a fit setting for this conversation. She had ordered that the fire be remade, and the warm light did much to lift the gloom from the atmosphere. All the same, it could not dispel her inner trepidation. Would he even consider this scheme?

When at length she finished speaking he said nothing for a moment, only continued to regard her steadily. Her heart sank. He was going to refuse and now sought a means of letting her down gently.

‘Such a decision is not mine to make alone,’ he said. ‘I would need to put the idea to my men.’

As swiftly as it had sunk her heart leapt. He was not turning this down out of hand. The sudden expression of hope in her eyes had not gone unnoticed.

‘I told you that we were on our way to join Rollo before the storm delayed us.’

‘Yes.’

‘Such an alliance promises to be lucrative.’

‘I realise that.’

‘Then you will also realise that my crew would need to be sure the reward was sufficient to justify this change of plan,’ he continued. ‘That would be expensive.’

‘I know, but I am not without the means to pay for the services that Drakensburgh needs.’

‘They won’t consider it for less than ten gold pieces per man.’

Anwyn blinked. It was going to come to an eye-watering total, but worth the cost if it achieved her aim.

‘Very well.’

He nodded slowly. ‘You also need to understand what it means to start something like this. Ingvar won’t bow out gracefully. Things are likely to get unpleasant.’

‘I understand that, too.’

‘Do you?’ The blue gaze locked with hers. ‘I wonder.’

‘I know what Ingvar is.’

‘Good, because I can assure you that all pretence of neighbourliness is going to vanish as though it had never been.’

‘I have no wish to play the role of aggressor. What I want is a trained force that will be strong enough to act as a deterrent against aggression.’

‘A comfortable ideal,’ he replied.

‘You think it won’t work.’

‘I didn’t say that, but there’s a real risk that such a force would be tested at least once before the enemy understood its strength and backed off.’

‘Bloodshed must be a last resort.’

‘Of course. Even so, the affair will likely be protracted.’

‘That is a chance I am prepared to take.’

‘But I am not.’

Her heart sank again. ‘Not?’

‘The extent of my commitment here would be to train up a force sufficient to the task of protecting Drakensburgh. It might extend to leaving a few of my men here to oversee things, if they were willing to stay.’

‘They would be well paid.’

‘They would need to be.’ He paused. ‘Then there is the matter of your late husband’s men.’

‘What about them?’

‘If I stay, they will take their orders from me.’

For a moment Anwyn was silent. ‘They may resent that.’

‘Nevertheless, that’s how it will be. Without a force united under one commander there is no hope of prevailing against the likes of Ingvar and his henchman.’ He paused. ‘This point is not negotiable.’

Her brow wrinkled a little. To consent to this condition would effectively put Drakensburgh in his power. However, she needed his help and to get it she would have to trust him. ‘If I agree to this, I want to be informed of your plans before you carry them out.’

‘You have that right.’

‘Very well, then—it is agreed. You will command both forces.’ She regarded him steadily. ‘Ina is greatly respected among the men here. If you would win them over, first begin with him.’

‘I shall heed your advice, my lady.’ The sober tone was at distinct variance with the glint in his eye and she wondered now if he were gently mocking her. ‘Does it irk you that a woman should offer advice?’ ‘By no means,’ he replied, ‘when the advice is good.’ The blue gaze was now closely focused on her face. Her heart thumped harder. Forcing herself to an outward expression of calm, she returned the look, hoping he could not read her confused thoughts just then. He already had too dangerous an advantage.