North Sea Dawn

by Susan Amund

  “Indeed. I had not much desire for one in the past.”

  He did not laugh at her smooth dodging of the reason to cover her neck, but a small smile remained on his lips as they moved to the high table. He seated her, his hand on her lower back, and Julia only had time to note that de Beaumont had taken Eric’s usual seat to her left before the warrior sat beside her. A general hush fell over the Hall, and Julia remained facing stoically forward, ignoring Dunholm’s clenched jaw and de Beaumont’s curious gaze. Ulrich was in his usual seat, and in the absence of any representative from the monastery, Sir Robert had been seated opposite him, to de Beaumont’s left. Julia gave a short prayer, and then platters were brought in from the kitchens.

  The Norman began to speak as soon as the initial clatter died down to a steady hum. “After such a late night, I am pleased you were able to join us this morning, Lady Cruithne. Most court ladies would be abed until well after midday after such excitement.” She returned his smile, trying not to dwell on exactly how exciting her night had been, and helped herself to a serving of salt fish.

  “Ah, but you see I am not a court lady, Lord de Beaumont. One cannot run an entire island without work, and that must be done daily - regardless of any small event.”

  The knight laughed at her brush off of a ransom exchange, duel challenge, and summons to the court of a King. “Would that all ladies were as cool-headed as you, my Lady. I think there would be a great deal more achieved at court with a bit less drama.”

  “I have been led astray then, my Lord. I was under the impression that it is difficult to turn a man’s attention from the field. The ladies at court must cause a stir or risk losing you all to the excitement of battle or the lure of new incomes.”

  “Perhaps that is true of some men,” he acknowledged. “Not all of us are so simple.”

  “I will have to take your word, my Lord. The men I deal with are sailors and tradesmen. In a negotiation, I have little use for theatrics when an honestly spoken deal may benefit both.”

  “It is honesty you value above other traits then?”

  Dunholm thrust himself into the conversation, “A lady such as Julia means only the honest love that women think so romantically on. I am certain that after we are married, once I take over the trade, her mind will revert to the natural womanly state and think on gentler things.” Ulrich choked on his ale, coughing loudly and halting the conversation for a few minutes. Those few seated closest to the high table and spoke French turned and listened to the conversation with interest.

  “If I ever marry, Lord de Beaumont,” Julia pointedly turned her back on Dunholm and his desperate grasping, “I know that it will be to a man who has an appreciation for a Lady that may increase his wealth and enrich his life with her own skills and merits. Would it not benefit such a man to marry a woman with only the most desirable traits to bare his sons? Why risk sullying your, or any man’s, line,” Eric stiffened at her deliberate use of the personal noun, but she continued on, “with the selfish blood of a empty-headed woman when there is so much more to be gained?” Eric’s hand squeezed her thigh under the table. He stroked from her knee to her hip, causing her to shiver.

  “Are you chilled, my Lady?”

  “No, my Lord. I tremble at the thought that a woman would settle for less than what God had intended for her.”

  “And what is that?” He had given up any pretense of eating, and leaned forward with a smile and eyes lit with enjoyment.

  “If man is meant to complete woman, to guide her and lead her in a noble and devout life, it stands to reason that the man must be able to see her strengths and weakness. He should know when to guide, and when to allow her to complete him. If a woman settles for a man that is not at least her equal of mind and spirit, he would drag her further from divinity. Don’t you agree?” She smiled sweetly and casually reached under the table to remove Eric’s hand from the joint of her hip and put it onto his own leg.

  “You are certainly one of a kind, my Lady,” de Beaumont laughed.

  “Aren’t we all, my Lord?” She turned the conversation to ask after the state of towns and cities that had lain in the path of the invasion. She speculated with him on the demand for certain trade goods on the mainland and in London, and found that he was of a quick mind , but with little experience in trade or business.

  He appeared delighted with their conversation, and Julia sent a little prayer of thanks heavenward. Perhaps he would tell the other Norman nobles what a fine wife she would make and how she would be best left to conduct business without a husband’s interference. Although the plan may have been working, the heat along her side where Eric sat pinched at her heart, reminding her that she wanted nothing more than to shred the plan and let the devil take care of it.

  “Shall I look over a map with your man and point out the best route to London? There are some roads that are not yet secure, and I cannot allow you to come to harm on your journey, my Lady.” They had finished their meal and de Beaumont walked beside her, her hand on Eric’s arm, as they left the Hall. Sir Robert and Dunholm were a few paces behind, and she knew it must be frustrating Eric to have his enemies at his back. His only consolation would be that Ulrich kept both men within reach and they were never more than a few paces from one of many armed Norsemen.

  “Thank you for your thoughtfulness, but that will not be necessary, my Lord.” She paused at the door to her study, waiting for Sarah to fetch her cape.

  “I must insist, Lady Cruithne.” His voice took on a more serious note. “Even if my Duke had not commanded it, I cannot deny my concern for your safety. A small guard may not be enough to protect you if you are caught by a band of villains, or those seeking to cause havoc for the rightful king.” She allowed Sarah to help her with the soft blue garment. The dark sable hood and lining would protect her on the cold ride to the village. She fastened the dragon pin herself and stepped outside.

  “Do not waste any of your concerns on me. I shall be perfectly safe on my journey - it was blessed by the Duke -” she glanced at the sky and then smiled at de Beaumont, “or should I say King?” He nodded.

  “The coronation was planned for this morning.”

  “Then how could I fear that my travels would be anything but pleasant?” Dunholm attempted to offer to stay behind and guard his love on the way to London, but de Beaumont had lost any idea that she would marry the knight regardless of his increasingly foolish statements to the contrary. They ignored him and continued to the stables.

  The ride to the village was refreshingly crisp; although her cheeks and nose were almost numb by the time they arrived. Eric helped her dismount, once again in far too intimate a manner. She was grateful the cold had reddened her face as it hid her irritation with him, as well as equal measures of embarrassment and pleasure. He whispered in her ear while the others were busy handing off their horses and giving instructions to the men waiting to cast off the boats

  “Careful, miláčik,” she heated at the memories that word inspired. “You may garner his respect and interest, but I do not think we will have time for two Holmgangs while we are in London.” His lips brushed her ear, the action hidden by the bulk of the horse. Then he straightened, pulling her hand onto his arm and leading her down to the shore.

  “You be careful,” she muttered under her breath. She hadn’t intended him to hear, but his chuckle let her know that his ears were better than she had believed. The men were loaded quickly into the boats, as the tide was beginning to turn, and de Beaumont was finally the last standing on the beach.

  “I must insist one more time that you either come with me, or take a map of the safest roads.” He pulled a scroll from his tunic and held it out.

  “It is not necessary, my Lord. I will arrive in London, as King William has requested, by much safer means.” de Beaumont’s brows rose and his curiosity was piqued, exactly as Eric had intended when he told her his plan. She silently cursed the Norseman for his general intelligence and overbearing attitude but held a
smile on her face. “I will take this, if it will ease your mind, but please do not fear for my safety. You may look for me the day before Epiphany.”

  “And in which direction shall I look, my Lady?” A Norman sailor called out that it was time to cast off, the English boat had already done so.

  “How can I possibly say, my Lord? I have no idea where you will be standing.” She smiled wider and waved him off, intrigue and personal interest clearly etched on his face. They stayed on the shore until the ships were well out of the harbor then Julia dropped her hand from Eric’s arm and relaxed.

  “Finally,” she muttered. She rolled her shoulders and turned to Ulrich with a bright smile. “Shall we actually attend to some business, for once?”

  Now that the guests were gone the rest of the day was spent in redistributing quarters, and beginning preparations to journey to London. They would leave in a week, but there was much to be done. For the first time in nearly a month, Julia found herself without Eric at her side. She met with the Abbot and Simon to review the plan. She visited Mary Ellery and the twins. She had long discussions with Margaret on the state of the drying houses, and Wendell, as well as the other traders, on the demands and opportunities left in the wake of the invasion. Galen was in her study for nearly two hours, reviewing accounts and stores. His happiness that the English had gone was evident, as it was with all the islanders. Julia hadn’t truly realized what a gloom had fallen over the keep until they had left. All the young, pretty workers returned from the monastery - much to their relief and that of the monks - and their voices could be heard everywhere in the fort. Chatting, laughing, and singing brought smiles to the faces of all of the men in the barracks and were a stark contrast to the tension that had built since Dunholm arrived.

  Throughout the day, Julia found her thoughts turning to her absent suitor. She had to remind herself that she should be grateful she finally had a few moments to herself. I should get used to his absence, she thought. He won’t stay long once I have met William’s demands. That thought sobered her, and she found it difficult to concentrate on the tasks at hand. She knew he had to go. She knew her people would be better off if she chose a suitor that met William’s needs. As she stepped into the Hall for supper, she again found her thoughts turning to Eric and his time in her bed. Perhaps it had been a mistake to think that she could steal that one experience for herself. Her selfishness would make it more difficult for them both.

  The meal was a far more cheerful and smaller affair than she had become accustomed to. Many of the men had taken advantage of the first break from a constant guard in weeks to visit with those in the village. She had the suspicion that many of them would unfortunately lose track of time and be forced to stay the night rather than walk back to the keep in the cold darkness. Those that remained laughed and talked louder and freer, although Eric was noticeably absent. Simon joined her at the high table, his serious questions regarding the audience at court and rather bold insinuations about Eric made her want to drive her dirk into his hand. Sarah had kept her word and not a soul suspected that the Bringer of Darkness had lain in their Lady’s bed. However, his gift of courtship at the Yule celebration and his significant seat at her side caused more than enough gossip to give her a headache. Ulrich arrived midway through the meal, thankfully bringing a halt to her twin’s constant conversation.

  “Ulrich,” she called out gratefully. The knight seated himself with a wary eye, unused to such a desperate greeting.

  “Yes, my Lady?”

  “How are the preparations coming along? Have you decided on the men to go to London?”

  “I have made a few suggestions to Vandalsson, but I am equally concerned with who shall stay behind.” They spoke of little else for the rest of the meal. Simon gave up trying to revive his lewd teasing and joined their discussion of what they would find in London. She finally retired, only to find herself in her study, unable to move forward. Skald was standing guard in the stair tower, no longer did circumstances merit that someone be assigned specifically to her door.

  “Is something amiss, my Lady?” he called through the open doorway.

  “No, I...” She paused and turned with a forced smile. “Not at all, thank you Skald.” She closed the door, but did not bar it, and sat down in her chair. There was no reason not to go straight to bed. There were no more Englishmen hiding around corners waiting to do her harm. There was no need for Eric to inspect her chambers each night, indeed no reason he should stay in the chamber connected to hers. The servants would have been right to move his things already to another chamber upstairs, more appropriate for two unmarried individuals now that there was no immediate danger. She nodded to herself and stood, almost immediately sitting back down.

  “This is silly,” she said to the empty room. She was in her own keep. She was in no danger. In a few short weeks she had grown so accustomed to the routine, and accustomed to being looked after, cared for. She absolutely could not make herself go any further without Eric first checking her chambers. She sighed, resigned but not happy about it, and did her best to get comfortable in her chair. He would return soon, and most likely laugh at her for waiting up so that he could peek into all the dark corners.

  “Arms up,” a quiet voice commanded and Julia complied. She had been dreaming that Aelfreic was building a new tower in the middle of the woods, and she frowned in her sleep. What a silly place for a guard tower, she thought. She shivered, a cool draft reaching her bare arms. “Unseasonable for summer,” she murmured sleepily. A pleasant chuckle washed over her. She opened her eyes and looked up. The sunlight slanting through the trees was replaced by shifting shadows. When did night come so quickly? A nudge had her lying back against a warm bed. Her skin was still chilled, but her eyes closed again, exhaustion winning out over her confusion. Warm hands gripped her waist, the heat welcome, and then her braies were swiftly removed.

  Julia’s eyes shot open, her dream violently thrust aside. She found herself on her bed, the covers drawn down, completely nude. She curled her legs in and another chuckle made her look up. Eric stood in the light of the brazier, removing his own clothes. She scrunched her eyes shut, although she was dying to get a closer look at things she had been too overwhelmed to study the night before.

  “What are you doing? Get out!” she whispered furiously.

  “Why are you whispering?” he asked. “No one seemed to notice your screams last night; I doubt it is necessary to keep your voice down.”

  “We are not married,” she said through clenched teeth. The man was purposefully obtuse! He was frustrating her just to get her ire up, and it was working! “You may not sleep in here.”

  “That is fine,” he shrugged and she felt the bed dip under his weight, causing her to lose her balance and slide towards him. Their skin touched for the briefest moment before she remembered her resolve and scrambled to the far side of the bed. It was much colder there. “I don’t have to sleep,” he continued. His bland insinuation caused her blood to boil and she glared at him with her hands fisted on her hips, forgetting for a moment they were both naked.

  “Excuse me?” she said acidly. “I am still a Lady, Sir Vandalsson - regardless of what I- what you- of any - any mistakes that have been made.” She recovered from her sputtering quickly and was gratified to see the smirk slip from his face. “I have not pledged troth to you, and I won’t share my bed or my virtue without that.”

  “I’ll just get the monk, then?” His voice was hard and challenging as he swung his legs off the bed. “I believe Brother Simon stayed at the keep tonight.”

  “Don’t you dare,” she threatened, her eyes narrow. She wished at that moment he could feel the heat of her gaze. It would have burned a hole through his back.

  “If it is only vows that are between us, then make them. We will do so soon, it might as well be now.” His words were reasonable, but the expression on his face and his tone spoke of an iron will underneath. He was not pleased with her, but he was doing his best to
control his temper. Julia swallowed. Perhaps she should have taken a different tactic. She was painfully aware of how easily he could dominate her if he wished

  “I cannot,” she could hear the twinge of desperation, the pleading edge to her voice, but she couldn’t stop it, “I cannot go to an audience with William having already pledged myself.” She took a shaky breath, and stared into his eyes, “This isn’t about me - us.” The air between them was still, and Julia held her breath while she waited for any indication that he understood why they could not continue such intimacy. Every touch, every taste, made it that much harder to consider another, to do her duty. If he stayed with her again, it would only increase the risk that the islanders would find out as well. Although she doubted they would worry much about her virtue in Eric’s hands, but they would still talk. There were other concerns as well. She could already be with child and the more times they were together, the greater the risk. She wanted a memory to take with her into a loveless marriage. She did not think an illegitimate child would earn her any favor with a new husband.

  “You will not promise yourself to me until after the audience with William.”

  “I will not make any promises, to any man until-” He interrupted her as though she hadn’t spoken.

  “And you won’t allow me in your bed until we are promised to one another?” This time he seemed to be waiting for her response, so Julia nodded.

  “I am sorry if I- eep!” His hand around her ankle cut off the apology she had been trying to make. Two pillows tumbled to the floor, and Julia’s own fall was only slightly cushioned by Eric’s hold on her. He stretched out over her, covering her body with his own, and pulled the mess of coverings from the bed on top of them. She stared at him with wide eyes. Her bottom throbbed where she had hit the floor. The fur of the rug was soft, but it tickled the skin at the backs of her knees. His body was hard and unyielding above her. He radiated heat and anger. His hard, hot length pressed against her hip, already eager for her. She swallowed hard.