All the happiness she’d experienced over the past week was never going to be repeated. They were enemies once again. She could see it from the way he regarded her. They were enemies and she knew she loved him. She had to hope that he’d listen before he acted and that he would understand.
‘Put away the sword, Brand. Allow me to explain,’ she said into that terrible stillness.
‘Who is there?’ he thundered, gesturing with his sword and his face growing darker with every breath he took. ‘What man resides in that cottage? What sort of trap have you led me into, Edith? Quick about it before the carnage starts. Tell me the truth and you might be spared.’
Mary gave a muffled shriek and a single tear ran down Godwin’s face. Silently Edith prayed for a miracle. Then she took another breath and knew there would be no miracle. There was only her to stop a boy being for ever scarred.
‘Godwin’s father,’ Edith answered as steadily as she could.
‘The rebel.’
Her heart shattered. He had already made up his mind about Athelstan’s guilt.
‘This is no trap, Brand.’ Edith made her voice gentle and held out a coaxing hand. ‘You’re safe here. Put away the sword. Listen. You were never supposed to find out. He is a ghost who will melt away.’
The sword stayed in his hand, but he made no move towards the cottage. Silently Edith prayed that Athelstan would stay put as well. Somehow she had to diffuse the situation before it led to bloodshed. Even if he was uninjured, Athelstan would never be able to match Brand.
‘Will you listen for once? Listen and find it in your heart to forgive?’ she pleaded.
He stood as if carved from stone. ‘I am listening but all I hear is the sound of the breeze in the trees. You have not told me anything, Edith. Start explaining now!’
‘Godwin’s father is in there. He has come home. He means you no harm.’ Silently she prayed the last was true. Although she’d told Athelstan and Mary the tale as Brand had related it, she wasn’t entirely sure how much they had believed. Athelstan still repeated his tale, insisting it was Brand who had broken the truce before Egbert.
Athelstan had promised that he would not harm Brand as long as Brand treated her properly. Edith had rolled her eyes. Mary had agreed, but neither of them had sent Godwin to Brand. ‘He means you no harm, Brand. All he wants to do is be with his family. When he is well enough, he will go.’
‘His father is dead. He died in the battle. You told me.’ Brand shook his head. ‘I trusted your word. What else have you been hiding from me, Edith? Who?’
Edith drew herself up to her full height. ‘I told you what I believed to be the truth at the time, but I was wrong. Perhaps I should have informed you straight away, but you must trust I had my reasons. I am willing to vouch for him, but I was wrong about his death.’
‘Amazing, you admitting that you were wrong.’
‘It happens.’ Edith ignored the sarcasm and concentrated on keeping her voice steady. He had to see that her duty came before everything. Her only crime was to selfishly want a tiny piece of happiness. ‘Athelstan has returned. He wanted to come home to his family and the people he loves. What is wrong with that?’
Edith prayed Brand would understand the need to return home. She had to wonder if Brand knew the feeling and the deep peace of homecoming. For so many years, he had lived the life of a wanderer. His only home was the battlefield.
Brand stood completely still as if rooted to the spot, his face giving away nothing. He had become the fearsome warrior of the first day, rather than the tender lover who had held her all last night.
‘He wanted to see his children,’ she continued, trying to reach the man who had held her so lovingly rather than confronting the warrior. ‘This is where his blood is and where his ancestors are buried. Surely you can understand what drove him? He knows there is a price on his head, but he still had to come.’
‘He is incapable of finer feelings!’ Athelstan suddenly shouted. ‘The Norsemen do not understand such things.’
‘You have no idea, Athelstan.’ Edith retorted. Her blood boiled on Brand’s behalf. ‘Brand Bjornson is no barbarian. How many times must I tell you that?’
‘How long? How long has he been back?’ Brand demanded, his face turning even more thunderous. It was all Edith could do to stand there and face him. The man had gone and only the warrior remained. ‘How long, Edith? How long have you been defying me over this? How long have you been hiding a rebel?’
‘My husband returned, your lordship. It is why I sent for her ladyship.’ Mary gave a low curtsy. ‘You must believe that. Lady Edith had nothing to do with it. She is innocent of any blame, except the knowing. If you must blame someone, blame me.’
‘Is this true, Edith?’
‘Over a week.’ Edith bowed her head. ‘I’ve known ever since we came back from Owen the Plough’s. Hilda informed me of the rumour. I went to see him as soon as I could leave the hall without causing upset. It is why I took the cup. I wanted to convince him to go and thought if he had money, he might leave and everything could be as it was.’
An expression of extreme hurt and betrayal crossed his face, but was instantly masked. His eyes grew colder than ice.
‘Were you going to tell me? Or did you hope that by keeping my bed warm, I’d forgive you everything?’
‘I hoped never to have to tell you.’ Edith pressed her hands together. Her chest ached as if it had been stabbed. He didn’t understand. ‘I saw no need. And it had nothing to do with keeping your bed warm.’
She kept her head up and refused to beg. The words—keeping his bed warm—seemed so inadequate and cheap for what had passed between them. For her, certainly, it had been so much more.
‘Why?’
‘For you, he is a ghost. For Godwin and his mother, he is the most important person in the world. I had hoped to convince him to go south either with or without his family, but as yet that had not happened. The injuries he received haven’t healed. You must believe me that his arrival had nothing to do with what passed between us.’
She went forwards and touched his sleeve. He turned from her, rejecting her.
‘Was he on his own? Or was there some other plan? Why precisely did you take the cup?’
Each word lashed through her.
‘My original thought was to have him go south to Wessex and take the cup to provide some funds. He has been a good and loyal servant to my family.’ Edith shook her head. Every time she opened her mouth, she made the situation worse. ‘He refused to even countenance taking the cup, saying I needed it more than he did.’
‘Why did you need it? What did he think you would do with it?’
‘Your reputation precedes you. Athelstan feels uncomfortable about fostering his son with you.’
‘Does he now?’
The back of her neck prickled and she readied herself for an attack. If he should move towards Athelstan, Edith knew she’d have to physically throw herself in front of him. She could not let him do something in temper that he’d regret later, and knowing Brand the way she did, she had to hope that he would see the sense in what she’d done, even if he couldn’t forgive her for it.
‘Yes, despite my reassurance.’ Edith forced a smile. ‘There is a rumour that you killed Egbert in cold blood. That you were the one to break the truce. All ill-founded rumour. I explained.’
He turned his head sharply to her. ‘Do you believe it? Do you believe I am capable of such a thing?’
‘Why would I? I knew my late husband and what he was capable of. He was a man who would cheat at tafl even when there were no stakes. You never cheat.’ She held out her hands and gave Athelstan a hard look. ‘I believe it makes it easier for your enemies to believe otherwise.’
Athelstan stood impassively in the doorway. ‘I judge a man by his deeds.’
> ‘I would trust you with my life, Brand,’ Edith said. ‘This is what I told Athelstan. I wanted you to foster Godwin as I know you’d mould him into the sort of honourable warrior both his parents want him to be.’
Silence fell as the two warriors regarded each other. Edith knew if it came to it, Brand would win. He was the fitter, but nothing was ever certain.
‘You know the penalty for helping this man,’ Brand said in a terrible voice. ‘There are no exceptions to this. Man, woman or child. The king has decreed.’
‘I could not live with myself if I didn’t help him.’ Edith put her hands on her hips. He hadn’t listened to her plea. She had thought he might. ‘What would you have done if it had been you?’
‘I would have done the right and proper thing. And I will do it. The king’s decree will be fulfilled.’
Edith’s heart sunk. Athelstan and his family were dead. Everyone who had helped from the kitchen boy who’d supplied the bread to Hilda who had carried the basket. They had all helped on her say so. Any blood split would be on her hands.
‘And what is the proper thing?’ she forced out around the lump in her throat.
‘You should have informed me immediately. Any loyal subject would have done.’
‘Why? Athelstan might yet perish. I had assumed that I could get him away. He was not going to harm you. He’d only gone with Egbert because I begged him to.’
‘You went behind my back.’
‘Because I had to.’ Edith attempted to be reasonable. ‘You were the one who received the order from the king, not me. I wouldn’t be me if I had done otherwise.’
‘That fails to signify. It covered the entire estate. Just as you feel responsibility for these people, I bear responsibility. Halfdan will judge me on what happens here.’
‘What is going to happen now? Are you going to take your sword and mete out the king’s punishment?’
His winter-smile chilled her to the bone. ‘I am going to do what you did to Hrearek. Athelstan will come with us to Jorvik as my prisoner. The king can deal with him.’
Mary fell to her knees and raised her arms in supplication.
‘You won’t take my father!’ Godwin cried and started to race towards Brand.
‘He must, Godwin,’ Edith answered, catching the little boy about the waist. She held him tight as his feet hit her shins. ‘Don’t you see? He has no choice. The king has decreed and you must always obey your overlord.’
As she said the words, she desperately hoped that Brand would contradict her. Surely he had to see that Athelstan’s death would change nothing? And Halfdan was not known for his merciful qualities. She shuddered to remember how Aella had been made into a blood eagle after the failed attack to regain control of Eoferwic.
‘Even if he is wrong?’ Godwin asked.
‘Even then,’ Brand said, eliminating any small remaining hope. ‘I have pledged my obedience to Halfdan. It was wrong of Lady Edith to offer false hope. In this case, I do not believe Halfdan was wrong. People who rebel against their rightful lord must be punished.’
‘I don’t want to be a warrior now.’
Edith knelt down beside Godwin. ‘You must be brave for your mother and baby sister.’
The boy gave a great sniff and slowly nodded.
‘You will get your things,’ Brand said to Athelstan. ‘And I will escort you back to the hall. You are my prisoner as you should have been from the start.’
‘You will leave my wife and children here?’
‘I see no reason to involve them. You are the one the king wants.’
Edith let out a breath. Godwin along with his mother and baby sister would be spared if Athelstan agreed to come quietly.
Athelstan gave a nod. ‘All I wanted to do was to ensure my family were safe and well looked after. Will you give me your word?’
‘I give my word that they will be as long as they stay on my land.’ Brand banged his sword on the ground. ‘You have my solemn oath.’
‘Lady Edith speaks highly of you and I will accept your word.’ Athelstan paused and glanced over his shoulder. ‘Will you give me time to say my goodbyes in private?’
Brand shook his head. ‘Too many men have tried that ruse. You may say them in front of me.’
Athelstan pursed his lips together before making a low bow. ‘It was worth a try.’
‘My lady.’ Mary came over to Edith. ‘He was going to go south today on his own. He’d decided his shoulder was well enough. He wanted to tell you himself.’
Edith clutched Mary’s hand. ‘I wish I could figure out a way to allow him to go free.’
‘He was only doing his duty.’
‘They both are.’
Edith went over to where Brand stood. ‘I suppose you will wish me to stay here, rather than go to Jorvik.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘You underestimate me, Edith. You are going to go to Jorvik and you will be the one to explain to Halfdan what happened. He will be the one to decide your fate.’
* * *
Brand clung on to his temper until they returned to the hall through sheer will power. He wanted to do something and fight, not be lumbered with this dilemma.
Athelstan had gone willingly enough, but Brand knew he’d been deceived. It was fine for Edith to pontificate about her duty, but she had deliberately misled him—more than that, she’d lied to him. A lie by omission rather than actively telling him a falsehood, but a lie none the less. Edith was cut from the same cloth as his father’s wife after all. He loathed himself for caring.
How many other people were aware? Was the entire hall laughing at him? The gullible Norseman taken in by a fine pair of eyes and a shapely turned calf. So intent on slaking his lust that he failed to notice what was happening under his nose!
He’d given Halfdan his word. And Edith expected him to break it. He refused to do that. This man, Athelstan, was his enemy. Halfdan’s order made that clear. He knew where his loyalty and duty lay.
The thought that Edith considered that she could change his mind and make him forget his duty made his blood boil. He had wanted to believe that she was better than that and that she understood.
‘Keep this prisoner in the yard!’ Brand barked as they entered the stables. Two of his warriors leapt into action.
‘One of the rebels escaped, but he has been found. He will be dealt with, properly,’ Brand said at their shocked glances.
‘What shall become of me?’ Edith asked in a small voice. ‘Am I to stand in the yard as well?’
‘You are to retire to your room and await my pleasure.’ He made a bow. ‘Lars and Helgi will escort you there and ensure you stay there. I have no wish for you to go missing.’
The colour drained from her face. ‘I never wanted it to be like this.’
‘Then why did you do it? Why did you destroy what we shared? Why did you use me?’
‘I had no choice.’
‘I refuse to believe that. You always have a choice. You chose to place your loyalty with your manservant rather than with me where it belonged.’
‘I’m sorry, Brand.’ She held out her hands and Brand had the uncomfortable memory of Constantinople and the aftermath of the plot against the emperor. Teresa had come to him with tears in her eyes and blood on her hands. He’d refused to believe her guilt and had nearly died for it.
‘Sorry for what? That you were found out or that you lied to me? You are like a thief who has been caught with his hand on the chicken and wants to avoid the punishment.’
A muscle jumped in her cheek. Brand willed her to say the truth. He concentrated on breathing easily, rather than roaring with rage.
‘I will retire to my bedchamber and hope you calm down. When you reflect on what happened, you will see that I acted in your best interests. Think about how the pe
ople here will judge you and your mercy.’
‘No, you acted in yours.’ Summoning the last ounce of his self-control, he made a low bow. ‘Now, will you go or do I need to get my men to drag you away?’
‘I remain capable of walking.’ She stalked off.
Brand silently cursed his fate. Why did he always have to become involved with black-hearted women? When was he going to learn? His heart ached more than it had with Teresa in Byzantium. His mouth twisted. He had thought Edith different.
Brand pushed the thought away. Later he’d take time to grieve for what could have been; now he had to see the full extent of his folly.
The shocked look on the servants’ faces when he summoned the household to see the prisoner told him that the vast majority of them had had no idea. It was simply Edith and her cousin who knew.
Of the pair, Brand blamed Edith. The cousin had thrown herself sobbing and wailing on the floor. Starkad had intervened for her and Brand left the couple.
* * *
Edith stood in the middle of the bedchamber. Silent tears streamed down her face. She wiped them away with fierce fingers, but still they fell.
All her clothes were packed for Jorvik, even the bed hangings had been taken down. Silent reminders of how much her life had changed in a few heartbeats. Once she thought to be going and enjoying the splendours, maybe even convincing the king that she was the right person to marry Brand, and now she would be going as a prisoner. She was never going to return to her home.
‘I had to do what I did,’ Edith whispered. ‘Why can’t he see that? I wanted to protect him and us.’
The door crashed open and Brand stood there, glowering at her.
She knew she had to tell him. ‘What we shared was too new. I wanted to keep some happiness. I hated that Athelstan returned, but I had a duty towards him. I was selfish, but I hoped you might share my desire.’
His mouth turned down. ‘Why would I have feelings for you?’
The words cut her far more than any of Egbert’s heavy blows had done. She staggered backwards. She might have feelings for him, but he only saw her as a warm body in the night.
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