Taming His Viking Woman

by Michelle Styles

  ‘There are reasons for it. I am…was the head of the house.’

  ‘Now I am. Obey me.’

  Sayrid gestured towards one of the servants, instructing her to fetch more ale and make the travellers welcome before she exploded. Right now she wanted to shake the lot of them, starting with Hrolf, but continuing on to Blodvin and Regin.

  Whatever had possessed the pair of them to behave in such a fashion? They were a couple of naive innocents.

  Sayrid paused. Blodvin wasn’t that naive. She might pretend, but she knew more about what was going on and how people should behave. Her father, Bloodaxe, was one of the most devious men in the whole of Svear. Her stomach roiled. She’d been blind. Blodvin was up to something.

  ‘Is something wrong? You are still here.’

  Sayrid straightened her gown and touched the keys which hung from her belt. ‘Obey you, you said?’

  Hrolf glared at her. ‘Is that possible?’

  ‘The women have retired to the kitchen to prepare the food. I shall as well. It was the terms of our wager, was it not?’

  He lifted a brow. ‘Seeing sense at last?’

  ‘As you wish, husband.’ She turned her lips up to what she hoped would be an enigmatic smile. Obey him indeed. She would use her banishment to her advantage. She’d find a way to prove Regin’s innocence.

  Chapter Thirteen

  ‘Sayrid! I thought you never went into the kitchen as a point of principle!’ Blodvin exclaimed, rising from where she sat nibbling cakes. The entire kitchen scurried around her preparing food, but not Blodvin. Blodvin rested, looking very pretty and fragile.

  Sayrid stood, feeling bigger and clumsier than ever. ‘No place is hidden from me, Blodvin. And those cakes which I made yesterday were for everyone.’

  ‘I’ll have to have words with Auda for leading me astray. It is good that I arrived when I did. You will need someone to run this house.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘You’ll be too busy, preparing for a war which never comes.’

  Sayrid schooled her features. Auda not being there was all down to Blodvin and her sudden desire to leave. If she and Regin had stayed… And she might not be the best housekeeper yet, but she had certainly made strides. She was proud of those cakes. ‘The hall remains standing even though Auda is enjoying a welcome rest with Kettil and his wife.’

  Blodvin fluttered her lashes. ‘I noticed a few improvements that could be made. I’ve given servants orders. My mother used to say what a natural housekeeper I was. If you don’t mind me saying…the cakes could use a hint more butter.’

  ‘I handle the servants. In the past I’ve dismissed the task far too readily.’ She took the platter from the table and placed it up high on a shelf. ‘Hrolf prefers my cakes the way they are.’

  ‘Well…if he does…who am I to say differently?’

  Sayrid motioned to the women to keep preparing the food. In many ways it had felt good ordering the food and getting to grips with the housekeeping. It, too, required focus and a thoughtful mind. ‘I’ve heard tales about how Regin behaved at my wedding feast after he gave me a promise.’

  Tears shimmered in Blodvin’s eyes. ‘We’ve returned to our house if you will have us, after the way Regin behaved. He said some dreadful things about Hrolf at the feast and nearly came to blows with Hrolf’s bodyguard. What sort of a man needs a bodyguard? And they are foreign. I got him away the best I could so we wouldn’t be murdered in our beds.’

  ‘Regin was foolish,’ Sayrid said. ‘But it stops. Hrolf is my husband. You are my family. His bodyguard will do nothing as you’ve no wish to harm him. I will make sure they understand this.’

  ‘You understand.’ Blodvin clapped. ‘I knew you would. I only have the best interests of my unborn child at heart. I couldn’t…couldn’t allow anything to happen to Regin.’

  ‘Credit me with a little intelligence, Blodvin.’ Sayrid leant forward. ‘Why did you and my brother leave so quickly? It looks bad. Auda had to remain behind as surety for Regin’s good behaviour.’

  Blodvin led her to a quiet corner of the kitchen. ‘Something happened back at the village. I can feel it in my bones. My mother says that my great-great-grandmother was a witch and I just know things.’

  ‘Indeed.’

  ‘Whatever happened, Regin is innocent. He was with me the whole time. It pains me that so many people are quick to condemn him over a few careless words and one single ill-judged swing of the sword.’

  Sayrid pulled her arm away from Blodvin, feeling larger and clumsier than ever as she managed to kick a bucket of water across the floor. All conversation and work stopped.

  Sayrid marched over and righted it.

  ‘Hrolf’s flag ship was damaged,’ she said carefully.

  ‘It might have been damaged before and no one noticed.’ Blodvin rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly, these men. They are worse than children. One little thing is out of place and you’d think Ragnarök was about to arrive.’ Blodvin took the bucket and put it to one side. ‘My mother said that it was best to keep such things out of the way or warriors would trip over them. Oops! Me and my mouth. You’re not a warrior any more.’

  Sayrid clung on to her temper. Blodvin did not seem to understand the danger Regin was in.

  ‘Hrolf swears the damage was done in the night, the same night that my brother apparently attacked Hrolf’s bodyguard.’

  Blodvin’s eye turned pitying. ‘And you believe him?’

  ‘Why wouldn’t I?’

  Blodvin drew a little line on the table. ‘Sayrid, I thought it would take more than a night spent in a man’s arms to turn you into a lump of quivering female flesh. One of the best pieces of advice my mother ever gave me was to maintain a healthy scepticism where men were concerned. It is obvious that he is simply looking for a scapegoat to cover up for something which happened weeks before.’

  Sayrid stared at the other woman. Blodvin was behaving as if it were nothing. But she had seen the fresh damage to the ship and knew what the consequences could have been.

  For Blodvin to dismiss it in that fashion showed that Blodvin had little idea about ships. The knowledge made her feel better. Blodvin might be beautiful, but beauty wasn’t everything. Regin’s behaviour was understandable, but misguided.

  ‘I can understand that approach if I was married to your father,’ she said instead.

  Blodvin’s mouth dropped open. ‘I was trying to be helpful. And Regin, the poor lamb, never went near that ship. He was with me the whole time after we left the feast.’

  Sayrid leant forward. ‘Are you willing to swear it to the jaarl? It might help.’

  The younger woman nibbled her bottom lip.

  ‘It is unseemly for a woman to give testimony about her husband, but I would swear it if you think it would help. But after the baby is born, yes? I’ve no wish to travel anywhere until then.’ She patted her pregnant belly. ‘I have my child to think of. Only the best for this little one.’

  The muscles in Sayrid’s neck eased. Regin had an alibi. ‘Thank you.’

  Blodvin bobbed a curtsy. ‘My pleasure. I do hope we can be friends, Sayrid. The way you are acting, anyone would think you didn’t like me very much. Imagine practically accusing me of doing something untoward. And those travellers mean no harm. I’m sure of it. How humiliating to have to give up their swords and be searched for weapons like that!’

  Sayrid pinched the bridge of her nose. It was far from Blodvin’s fault about their unwelcome visitors or the damage to the ship. And taking her poor temper out on her sister-in-law did no one any good. ‘It has been a trying few days. And it is customary to surrender your weapons. They will be returned to the men when they leave. Until then they will be kept in the strongroom under lock and key. It is wise to be cautious where travellers are concerned.’

  Blodvin nodded. ‘I keep forgetting that you never planned to be married. Is your new daughter a trial? I mean how she behaved at the wedding. It is a wonder you allowed her to come here at all.
I would have banished her and that nurse. Up to no good.’

  Sayrid tilted her head to one side. Blodvin’s mind always seemed to be flitting from one subject to the next.

  ‘Inga? She has an active imagination, but her heart is in the right place. She and her nurse worked on this dress as they thought the colouring suited me better. Why do you think she is up to no good?’

  ‘The instant she saw me, she ran out of the kitchen screaming about ghosts.’ Blodvin rolled her eyes. ‘As if I could ever be mistaken for such a horrible thing!’

  The back of Sayrid’s neck prickled. Had Blodvin been by the ship that night? Why would she do such a thing? It made little sense.

  Inga delighted in her imagination and creating a stir. There was no way Blodvin would be involved in the sabotaging of the ship. She knew nothing about how ships were made. And what could she hope to gain from it anyway?

  It made no sense. Blodvin seemed in favour of the match. And her family had no grudge against Hrolf. After all, Hrolf had nearly married her.

  Sayrid pasted a smile on, but silently vowed to ask Inga about why Blodvin was a ghost. ‘She called me a frost giant for a little while, but she will come around to the idea of you. She is a lively girl and has a good sense of humour.’

  ‘I’m sure you are correct.’ Blodvin gave a decisive nod. ‘I don’t envy you, though. A daughter like that and a husband with a reputation like Hrolf’s.’

  ‘Hrolf has an excellent reputation.’

  Blodvin put her nose in the air. ‘I have heard tales. Regin is very different. I intend to make something of my husband. I have my baby to think of. You just watch and see.’

  ‘It is well that I married Hrolf instead of you.’ Sayrid clenched her fists. Regin might not be a great warrior, but he had other points. She had thought Blodvin had seen those, but instead it sounded like she was already tired of him.

  The woman’s cheeks reddened. ‘I thought we were sisters, Sayrid. You can confide in me. It is fine. I understand how these things are.’

  Sayrid kept her face bland. Confiding in Blodvin would mean any secret she wanted keeping being spread with a swiftness that would surprise even the gods. ‘I will bear that in mind should I ever have the need to confide anything.’

  She walked swiftly from the kitchen and went out to the deserted training area. A lump came in her throat. Because she had totally misjudged Regin and Blodvin, all this was barred to her. She wanted to be a good wife, but she also wanted Hrolf to respect her.

  * * *

  Sayrid discovered Regin in the stables, grooming his horse where he always went if he was troubled.

  Thankfully no one else was about.

  ‘Are you going to tell me the truth?’ she asked, advancing towards him. ‘Why did you have Auda lie for you?’

  ‘Are you going to listen to me? Or are you going to believe what that brute of a husband tells you?’

  ‘Hrolf is…’ Sayrid swallowed hard. Explaining about Hrolf when Regin was in this mood was not worth it. Her feelings were too new and Regin was likely to tease her. ‘I will listen to you. Why did you leave the village without saying goodbye?’

  ‘Blodvin’s idea.’ Regin continued to brush the horse. ‘Once I’d sobered up, I knew what a terrible idea it was. Think about how my mother will react to Blodvin. She wasn’t fond of Blodvin’s mother. She wouldn’t understand and she’d take it out on Blodvin.’

  Sayrid crossed her arms. ‘Look at me when you speak to me.’

  He glanced up. His mouth was set in a mutinous scowl. ‘You know what an utter witch my mother is.’

  ‘And you remembered that when?’

  He gave the horse another fierce brush. ‘Look, Blodvin was doing her best when she made me depart. I had no idea what she wrote on the rune until later. And then I tried to make it good, but I just couldn’t.’

  ‘Do you remember what you did to make Blodvin want to leave quickly?’

  Regin turned away from her. ‘Is there any point going over it? I was drunk and upset. I behaved like the worst sort of fool.’

  ‘Yes, you did.’ Sayrid put a hand on her brother’s shoulder. He shrugged it off. ‘You have made things difficult…for everyone.’

  ‘I want it to go back to how it was before. Before he ever showed up.’

  Sayrid stared at her brother. Go back? That was the last thing she wanted. ‘I’m discovering that I am capable of far more than I dreamt. You should taste my cakes. I’ve stopped burning them.’

  ‘I thought all you ever wanted was to be a warrior. Cooking was beneath contempt.’ He turned back to her with a fierce face. ‘You see what I mean. A few days and he has you wrapped around his little finger. Dresses and baking. That is not what my sister does! Where is it going to end? Do you think he could actually care for you? He is using you and you refuse to see it.’

  ‘I will always be your sister,’ Sayrid said quietly. A huge ache opened in her middle. ‘I’d hoped you’d be happy for me. I’ve stopped fearing things. I can do more than fight.’

  ‘You always could.’ He gave the horse another swipe with the brush. ‘It shouldn’t have taken a sea king to show you that.’

  ‘You know, I think you are jealous of Hrolf. He has accomplished a lot in his life. He is a better warrior than I am.’

  Her brother slammed down his brush. With Regin in this mood, she at last understood why Kettil had his reservations about him and why he wanted a warrior like Hrolf controlling this bay. He was behaving worse than an unblooded youth. She’d hoped marriage and a pregnant wife would bring maturity, but no. Immediately she cursed herself for the disloyal thought. Regin always reacted badly to heavy-handed authority.

  ‘Have a care, Regin.’

  ‘He is arrogant and overbearing. Ordering me about like I was little better than a thrall. I grew up in this hall. I should be welcome here without question.’

  ‘When you get to know him, you will see that Hrolf has many admirable qualities.’ Sayrid knew she spoke the truth rather than mouthing simple platitudes. She did admire Hrolf’s courage and the way he handled his men and…

  ‘Why did you have to lose, Say? If you’d won, you’d be on your way east.’

  Sayrid gave a strangled laugh. She had to wonder if she really knew her brother. ‘Trying to get rid of me?’

  Regin paled. ‘Never. You know how important you are to me. You believe me, don’t you?’

  That was the trouble. Sayrid found it difficult to know what she believed any more.

  Sayrid turned on her heel and left her brother to stew. Regin would come around to her way of thinking. He always did. But there was something about him that left her uneasy as if she were really seeing him for the first time.

  * * *

  ‘Did you learn anything?’ Hrolf paused in his pacing of the bedchamber. He opened his arms, expecting her to walk in to them and lay her head against his shoulder. Thoughts of her doing so had distracted him when he was unsuccessfully grilling the visitors. They still maintained that they were travellers on lawful business and had never been to the East.

  ‘Learn anything?’ Sayrid sat down on a trunk, ignoring his outstretched arms.

  ‘I worked out why you retired so easily. You wanted to find out if Blodvin knew anything.’ Hrolf put his hands behind his head. ‘You can be my eyes and ears where I can’t go. A sure benefit to having a wife.’

  Sayrid tilted her head to one side. All of Regin’s insinuations about being enthralled with Hrolf to the point of stupidity came rushing back. ‘I’ve no idea what you are talking about. Get someone else to do your spying.’

  He crossed the room in two strides. His heavy hands went on her shoulders, pinning her to the spot. Her flesh quivered under his fingers. The muscles in his neck relaxed slightly. She wanted him. ‘I am giving you credit by believing you were doing what I would do. Interrogating Blodvin. There is something about her story which is off. Have you spoken to your brother? Has he explained why he left?’

  Sayrid br
istled. She had come in ready to share her knowledge and Hrolf made it sound as if she had to do his bidding. Blodvin’s words about being cautious ate away at her soul. ‘I’m pleased you credit me with some intelligence.’

  Hrolf tapped his fingers together. ‘You are one of the most intelligent women I’ve ever met. I could even have seen you leading a felag. Does that satisfy you?’

  ‘You might be able to see me leading a felag?’ she enquired in a silken tone, trying to keep a leash on her temper. Talk about damning with faint praise! ‘I lost an equal contest of arms to you, but before that I had over five years’ experience sailing on the sea and trading at markets. You want all that to vanish like it never happened?’

  ‘I want you to be my wife, properly. I think we are well suited.’ He stood stiffly as if he were reciting from memory. ‘Men and women have different spheres of influence. It is the way I was brought up, but—’

  ‘I can’t be that if all you want is for me to be in the kitchen and in the bedroom,’ she cried out before he finished. ‘I can’t be like my stepmother or Blodvin.’ Sayrid wrapped her arms about her middle as her entire body began to shake. ‘If you thought anything of me, you would see that.’

  Hrolf was silent for a long while and when he spoke, he spoke in measured tones as if he was speaking to a child. ‘I want to find a traitor, Sayrid. I don’t care who he is. I simply want him unmasked.’

  ‘And if he were one of your own?’

  Hrolf froze. He rejected the idea. He trusted his men. They had no reason to betray him, not after all the time they had spent together. ‘What did your brother say?’

  ‘He feels aggrieved and that you will condemn him without listening. He knows he was foolish and used ill-considered words.’

  ‘Whom did Blodvin accuse?’

  ‘Being with her always makes my head ache. I can’t think what Regin sees in her. But she did ask the question about your men.’

  ‘She has a good pair of breasts and isn’t afraid to use them.’

  Sayrid’s eyes widened. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘A man would have to be dead not to notice. And she made sure I noticed them.’ Hrolf rapidly explained about the way Bodvin’s cloak slipped.