by Conn, Phoebe
Grena thought that unlikely, and her skeptical expression
180 I PHOEBE CONN
clearly displayed her doubts. *'A man, even a young and strong one, cannot maintain a farm on his own. Does he have plans to many?"
Freya broke into a delighted smile at that question. *A month ago I would have said no, but now I tiiink that he must, although he hasn't revealed the young woman's name."
Dana did not dare glance toward Berit, but she knew exactly how uneasy her cousin must have become and swiftly defended her half brother, since she knew the pretty blonde could not. '*Erik is both handsome and bright, and extremely industrious. He'll make some lucky young woman a fine husband."
As could be expected, Grena scoflFed at that opinion. *'Freya, you must teach your daughter that no matter how many admirable qualities a man possesses, if he lacks wealth, he is not a fine candidate for marriage. She'll be marrying soon herself, and I shouldn't want her to be mistaken about so vital a matter. Of course, with Jarald courting her so eagerly, that is scarcely a concern."
Dana found it impossible to return her aunt's insipid smile, but she could not abide being talked about as though she were not seated right across from the woman. "I doubt it is wealth that makes the marriage bed warm on a long winter's night," she remarked pointedly.
'*How very young you are!" Grena responded with a throaty laugh. *'A wealthy man is far easier to love than a poor one any night, winter or summer. What a man requires of a woman is the same, rich or poor, so it is in a woman's own best interests to choose wisely."
Dana knew from experience all men were not the same in any regard, and most especially not in the way they bestowed aflFection. She could not reveal she had the experience to back up that opinion, however. "I do not even know a poor bachelor, so I doubt I am in any danger of marrying one," she commented instead, hoping to put an end to her aunt's unwanted advice.
Freya was too sensitive a woman not to see Dana had been deeply disturbed by her sister's remarks. Thinking her daughter's defense of Erik quite noble, she joined her. *'We were talking about Erik's prospects, not Dana's, and I agree
BT LOVE ENSLAVED I 181
with her that he is a wonderful young man who wiU be successful in whatever he undertakes. The woman who marries him will undoubtedly share that view and be an enormous help to him. Now I know none of you wishes to give up our vigil, but will you go inside and see we are sent some refreshments, Dana? I think something warm and sweet will make the time pass more quickly for us all."
Grateful for any excuse to escape listening to her aunt's opinionated views, Dana rose and started for the house. As she passed Bent, her cousin looked up at her, but her expression was more wistful than confident, and Dana couldn't help but wonder if Grena's comments hadn't been meant more for her daughter than her niece.
Soren's boat was not sighted until late afternoon, and the weary women broke into delighted peals of joy when they saw he had the children with him. Olaf and Hrolf hung their heads in shame, but Thora, who was still snuggled in Brendan's arms, was smiling radiantly.
Dana stood back as the thrall carried her sister from the boat. The pretty child's damp and wrinkled clothes, as well as her tangled hair, gave clear evidence she had survived a terrible ordeal, but she seemed more pleased with herself dian frightened as Erik described how Brendan had pulled her from the sea. When Erik reached for her, Thora left the slave's arms reluctantly and only after she had given his cheek an enthusiastic kiss.
Wanting to get her sons into dry clothes, Grena scolded rtiem crossly as she hustled them toward the house. High-spirited boys could be forgiven any mischief if things ended well, but not when their pranks resulted in near disaster, fteya and Berit walked on either side of Erik, patting Thora afiFectionately as they followed the path, but Dana remained behind. First she complimented Soren for being so fine a sailor. Then she promised the men who had accompanied him a reward for aiding in the rescue. Last she turned to Brendan and with a nod drew him away from die others, who had begun to secure the boat to the dock.
While she would never admit it to him, Dana had been every bit as thrilled to see Brendan return safely as she had
182 I PHOEBE CONN
been with the children's rescue. As always, the sight of him was enough to make her heart skip a beat, but, as usual, that was a weakness she fought rather than attempted to understand.
'*You've charmed Thora, but I don't want you to think my mother and I are not as grateful as she is that you were the one to rescue her. I will see that you receive twice whatever amount my mother gives the others."
As a thrall, Brendan had never been paid for his work, and he had not expected to receive any money that day either. Feeling his motives were being questioned, he was insulted and began to argue. *'I didn't do it for a reward. Thora is a sweet child and I wanted to find her and the boys as badly as Erik and Soren did." It pained him to think Dana believed he had volunteered only in hopes of earning an ample reward, but he could tell she doubted the sincerity of his words even as he spoke them.
"You have impressed me as a man who does nothing without reason, Brendan, but even if you wished only to be helpful, you still earned a generous reward and I'll insist that you take it."
Brendan looked over his shoulder to make certain Soren and the men working nearby were not listening. Unfortunately, he saw that they all were. 'Til walk you to your house," he oflFered in a conmianding whisper. While he dared not take her arm while they were being observed, he was grateful she did not resist, but instead started up the path.
Because there was something far more pressing than money on his mind, he decided they could argue about his reward later. He was not proud that it had taken threats to bring Dana to him, but he was still too uncertain of tier feelings for him to admit he would not have carried them out. That was a secret he would have to keep until she came to him willingly, as he hoped she soon would. '*What did you tell Erik?" he asked softly.
"I did no more than confirm his suspicions about us and beg for his silence. He will not tell my secrets any more than I will reveal his."
Brendan nodded, pleased her half brother had not learned of his stupid threats. ''Talk Erik into staying here for the
BY LOVE ENSLAVED I 1S3
night. Then you can meet me somewhere close by later. What about the storehouse for fiirs?"
Dana waited until they had reached her door to reply. *'No, I'm much too tired to meet you tonight. Last night I meant to take only a brief nap but overslept. Tonight Til not be able to wake at all.'*
The delicate lavender shadows that marred the creamy skin beneath her eyes attested to her fatigue, but Brendan was too startled by her excuse to accept it. ''That's why you were late last night—you fell asleep?"
"Yes. I had intended to meet you on time. I had given you my word on it, remember?"
Brendan couldn't believe his ears. He had nearly gone mad imagining she hated him too much to ever take him as a lover. It infuriated him anew to learn that while his frustration with her tardiness had pushed him into a near blinding rage, the prospect of meeting him had held such little excitement she had fallen asleep! He looked away for a moment, attempting to gain control of the tumult of emotions that churned within him each time he looked at her. Before he succeeded, she reached out to touch his arm and spoke to him in a persuasive whisper.
"Don't be angry with me, because I do want to see you again. It's imperative, in fact, but not tonight. Meet me at the edge of the woods tomorrow night, and come early enough so that we'll have plenty of time to talk. We've something of great importance to discuss."
The request struck Brendan as every bit as absurd as her reason for being late, but the red-haired beauty's manner was so insistent she stirred his curiosity rather than the streak of defiance that was so much a part of his character. His temper now under control, he finally noticed how tired she looked and accepted her suggestion, but with an important stipulation.
"Tomorrow n
ight it is, but no matter what you wish to talk about, we'll make love first. Is that understood?"
Because that was the last thing Dana wanted to do, she countered with the subject she thought he would be unable to resist. "No. You will have to keep your passions under
184 I PHOEBE CONN
control, for we will need all our wits about us to decide how best to arrange your freedom."
Brendan's eyes narrowed slightly, for he thought she was merely toying with him, and that was something he could not abide. "Must I remind you again diat you do not own me?"
Glancing past him, Dana saw Soren coming up the path. "I will explain tomorrow night." Then, in a louder voice, she continued, '*Your breeches are still damp. Go to Erik's house and look for others before you grow chilled."
Brendan heard the sound of approaching footsteps and understood her sudden change in tone, but as always, to be dismissed like a servant disgusted him clear through. He stepped out of Soren's way and started for Erik's, but he doubted the man would lend him any of his clothes now and thought he better just build a fire and dry the ones he wore.
Rather than follow his sister inside, Soren called out to the Celt. *'You're a better man than I thought, Brendan."
That unexpected compliment brought a smile to his lips, and Brendan turned back to face the boy. *'I think the same of you," he replied sincerely, for what he had seen of the young man lately had impressed him very favorably.
Pleased that the Celt could see he was fast becoming a man, even if no one else did, Soren dismissed him with a wide grin and a wave and went on into the house.
When Grena was invited to stay the night. Erik quickly seized the opportunity to spend time with Berit and decided to sleep in his old house rather than make the trip through the woods to the new one. While he had not told Brenflan he could stay there again, he wasn't surprised to find him there, since the man had always been able to think for himself. He saw by the scraps remaining on the slave's tray that, despite a trying day, Dana had not forgotten to send him a hearty meal. Her consideration for the thrall still amazed him, and as he tossed him the kirtle that had been found in the stable, he made his feelings clear.
"The next time you meet Dana, don't leave your kirtle behind. Freya mistook it for mine, and while Dana came up
BT LOVE ENSLAVED / 185
with a story her mother believed, it won't work more than once. Why Dana loves you I'll never understand, but—"
Springing to his feet, Brendan clutched the freshly laundered garment to his chest. "She loves me? She actually said that to you?'*
The unabashed joy with which Brendan had greeted that remark not only startled Erik, it made it obvious Dana had never spoken those words to him. But if she did not love him, why had she met with him secretly? More confused than ever, he stared at the well-built Celt for a long moment and then rephrased his statement. **No, she did not. It was merely something I assumed when she asked that I continue to treat you well. I'll admit I neither understand nor approve of her behavior where you're concerned, but she knows her own mind and I'll not try and influence her."
His hopes that he had won at least a tiny portion of Dana's heart dashed, Brendan tried not to let his disappointment show, but failed. "You are her half brother, not her father, so it is not your place to tell her what to do anyway. Besides, she is the mistress while I'm but a thrall. I'm only doing her bidding." That was a long way from the truth, but when passion overruled her reason, he knew Dana wanted him as badly as he wanted her. What did it matter who was master and who was slave then? Nothing mattered then but the intense pleasure they gave each other.
Erik was certain Brendan was lying, for he simply could not imagine Dana amusing herself at a thrairs expense, and most especially not this thrall. She would never stoop to that. Recalling that he had been interrupted before issuing a warning, he provided it now. "What happens between you and Dana must remain a secret, for your well-being as well as hers. Don't ever repeat your mistake and leave your clothes lying about so carelessly again. Now, it's been too long a day to stay up and talk, no matter what the subject. I'm going to sleep. Be ready to leave at first light."
Following their former routine, Brendan helped Erik prepare his bed and then made up his own. He had expected a fight, and a good one. That Erik hadn't thrown a single punch, nor demanded he leave his house, left the perplexed Celt wondering how Dana had justified her request that he
186 I PHOEBE COim
be well-treated. He was just as mystified by the man's remaiics about the kirtle he had loaned her, since he had thought she had sense enough to hide it.
Brendan had no sister, but he knew, if he did, he would have torn a slave apart with his bare hands rather than allow her to sleep with him. Erik, however, seemed to have accepted the news that he and Dana were lovers with surprising calm. It was plain the man wasn't pleased about it, but he had accepted it. Strange. That was the only word that came to Brendan's mind. Everything these Danes did was strange.
It wasn't until much later, when he heard Erik leave the house, that he understood why he hadn't wanted to defend his sister's honor with his fists. Erik was undoubtedly meeting Berit, and he hadn't wanted to be bruised and bloody when he went to her. That thought brought a wide grin to Brendan's lips. Perhaps Dana had used the same threat he had, and had persuaded Erik to keep her secret as a condition for keeping his. With a low chuckle he rolled over to get more comfortable, but he couldn't help but wish Dana had been as eager to see him as Berit must be to see Erik.
CHAPTER XIV
As they retired for the night, Freya took Thora into her own bed. Berit again shared Dana's bedchamber, while as usual Grena had a room to herself. The bed was as comfortable as her own at home, but Grena slept fretfully, waking often, for she was still anxious about the fate of her twins. She knew they needed a father's guidance, and she lay awake mentally listing the wealthy widowers and older bachelors whom she might hope to entice to her bed. Confident she
BY LOVE ENSLAVED I 187
was more attractive than most women her age, she hoped to remarry soon now that she had made the decision to do so. Only the lingering warmth of her husband*s memory had kept her from seeking a new mate sooner, but clearly her sons needed a father too badly for her to continue to mourn him.
Preoccupied by her plans, she rose, went into the hall, and sat down by the hearth, where the coals of the fire that had burned earlier still radiated a pleasant warmth and soft golden glow. Surely Haakon would help her, she thought with a smile. When he and his friends returned from their voyages, she would tell him of her hopes, and he would entertain his unmarried friends as often as it took for her dream to come true.
*'Yes," she purred softly. Haakon was the key. He had always liked her, and he would do this favor for her.
With the subject of marriage weighing so heavily on her mind, Grena quite naturally began to think of her daughter. Berit would pose no competition for her because the charming girl would be seeking a younger man. Still, Grena feared Berit's remarkable prettiness might prove to be a distraction to the men she hoped to attract.
To avoid that possibility, Grena decided it was not too soon to find a husband for Berit. While she had never voiced her dreams aloud, she had always hoped her nephew Svien might have strong feelings for her daughter. As Haakon's son, he would inherit not only a large and prosperous farm, but substantial wealth as well. Yes, she mused boldly, a marriage between Svien and Berit was the best of all possible matches, and she would endeavor to win Freya's support for that plan before Haakon and Svien returned home.
That matter settled in her mind, Grena rose and stretched with a lazy satisfaction. A conscientious mother, before returning to bed she stopped by Svien's sleeping chamber to check on Olaf and Hrolf. The boys were sleeping soundly, their dreams, unlike hers, undisturbed by the perils of the day. Then, on an impulse, Grena looked in on her daughter. An oil lamp burned dimly m the comer, but even in the
188 I PHOEB
E CONN
semidaricness she could easily discern that Dana was alone in her wide bed.
Grena pulled the door closed and waited for a long moment beside it. Could Berit have gone to the privy? While tiiat was unlikely, she waited a while longer for her daughter to return to bed, and when she did not the obvious struck Grena with the force of a staggering blow. "No!" she whispered hoarsely. "No, it can't be!"
Bent's thoughts were still so childish when it came to men. Grena feared that despite her teachings a handsome appearance meant more to her daughter than the far more important consideration of wealth. Only that evening at supper she had noticed how often Erik had caught her daughter's eye. While she had never liked him, Grena could not deny that he had the dashing good looks that could easily melt a foolish young girl's heart.
Recalling that he had called at her farm twice recently, she grew increasingly suspicious and began to wonder if Berit hadn't^ spent some or all of the time she had gone riding lately with Erik rather than with Dana. Since Dana and the young man were so close, the possibility seemed a likely one.
"How could I have been so blind?" Grena moaned.
Bent on finding her daughter and ripping her from Erik's arms, if that was indeed where she was, Grena tore open the door and rushed outside. Before she could summon the breath to scream, the horrified woman slanmied right into the amorous couple as they returned to the house, and it was only Erik's quick action in restoring her balance tiiat kept diem all from landing in the dirt.
When her worst fears were confirmed by Berit's Siss-swollen lips and wrinkled gown, Grena toc^ her daughter's hand and yanked her from her lover's arms. Furious as much with her own stupidity in allowing such a diing to happen as with Erik, she began to rebuke him in a hysterical dmek. "My daughter is a silly child who'll not go uiqHinished for this, but when J0m returns he'll kill you. Do you hear me? I'll see you dead for this. You had no right to touch my daughter. No right at all, and you'll die for it."