Edith’s heart did a queer leap. He spoke of the estate as home. It would always be that for her, even if she could only visit it in her dreams.
‘The king asked me to remain at court.’ She gave a light laugh. The sound held a false note. ‘Apparently I impressed him. There is no need for me to return to Breckon. I can stay in this bustling city and really learn what it is like to be at the centre of politics. The king has promised me a place based on the respect he held for my father.’
She hoped he would not question her further. With each passing breath, this act became harder to maintain. Already she could feel the tears pooling at the back of her throat.
His lips turned down. ‘You promised to be my concubine for a year. You never break promises, Edith. Ever.’
Her throat became far too tight. She struggled to breathe. All he cared about was slaking his lust. The closeness she had felt after making love was illusory. He had told her that before. Last night didn’t make a difference to him. She took several life-giving breaths. Brand must not guess exactly how much she wanted to be in his arms. There were so many reasons why it would be wrong. Today was about getting her life back, but right now it felt like she was being sentenced to a life of unhappiness. In many ways it was a far worse punishment than losing her life.
‘Are you going to hold me to the promise?’ she whispered, concentrating on the whiteness of her knuckles.
Brand made a disgusted noise. ‘I never thought you would give up on your promise. I never thought you were a quitter.’
‘The king thought it best. It might cause difficulties if I stayed your acknowledged concubine. He expects his earls to marry.’ Edith dug her nails into her palm. He had to understand why she was doing this. It was far better to have a clean break. Waiting for him to summon whichever lady from Norway was too dreadful to contemplate. And she couldn’t have had the king force Brand to marry her. She had her pride and she’d already experienced a forced marriage. This was the best solution even if her heart ached like the very devil. ‘Did you want me to refuse the king? He was already very charitable towards me.’
‘No.’ Brand stood up straighter. He made no move to gather Edith into his arms. He wanted to haul her away and keep her a captive until she agreed to marry him. But he also knew that she had to be happy. He had this one last chance and he would take it. Of all the women he’d ever met, Edith was the one who was worth fighting for. But he hadn’t anticipated this move by her.
He had planned on spending the rest of the time they had convincing her to stay. Now she had neatly sidestepped the issue. Once again he was going to be left alone. Only this time it was worse as he knew the one person he wanted was forbidden. At least he knew she would be looked after, whatever happened.
Her face closed and took on a mulish expression. ‘I’m pleased you are being so understanding.’
‘I, too, had a conversation with the king.’
‘Did you?’ She raised a brow. ‘How good of you. I’m sure you are very relieved to get it out of the way. You need to get your life in order.’
‘He agrees with me that for the sake of the estate, it would be best if we married.’
Edith’s jaw dropped. ‘Why are you doing this? You want to have a Norsewoman for a wife.’
Brand waved a hand. ‘You have a duty towards your people. I am allowing you to do that duty.’
‘You had no compunction before.’
‘I didn’t know you then. I didn’t know how much people depended on you.’ Brand reached for her hand. ‘It is the right thing to do.’
‘And will the king force me to marry you as a result of your actions?’ she asked, drawing her hand to her side and ignoring him. ‘I don’t want a forced marriage.’
‘Halfdan will do as he pleases,’ Brand admitted with a frown. He had to hope his plan worked. When he’d learned from Halfdan that her request for a reward was that he marry any woman that he wanted, he had known what he had to do. He’d asked for the king’s help in marrying the woman he loved. ‘For now, he is content that you should have the estate as a dowry to attract the right husband.’
‘I don’t want a husband who is only interested in my dowry or who marries me out of duty. I had one of those before. It doesn’t work. It is a cold, lifeless thing.’
‘Doesn’t it work?’ he asked. ‘How could a marriage with you in it ever be cold or lifeless? You have more heart than anyone I have ever met and you have shown a hardened warrior what loyalty is truly about. You have shown the true essence of caring for people.’
‘I have no wish to take a husband simply because people say I must,’ Edith retorted cautiously. Her heart began to hammer. She didn’t dare think about what he was saying. She’d been so wrong before.
‘What do you want to do, Edith?’ he asked quietly.
‘I am not sure what I want any more. I thought I knew, but lately everything has been muddled.’ She resisted the urge to lay her head on his chest. ‘I want you to be happy. I want you to have your most cherished dreams.’
‘I know the feeling. You can give that to me.’
‘How?’
He dropped to one knee. ‘Edith, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to marry you. I want you to bear my children if we are so blessed or, if we are not, I want to grow old with you.’
Edith started shaking. Brand was on one knee, proposing to her. He had convinced Halfdan to give her back the estate. But she knew she needed more.
‘Why?’
‘Because I love you with all of my soul. I want you in my life and in my bed. I have no desire for any other woman. I want to know that you want me for me, not because it will benefit the estate. Selfishly, utterly and completely.’
With each word, Edith’s heart grew lighter. ‘I want you to be happy, Brand. I love you. Not because you are an earl or because you hold the power of life and death over people I care about, but because you are you.’
‘I have no wish for some faraway maid, all I want I hold in my arms. Your love is my most cherished dream. Will you marry me?’
Edith threw her arms about his neck. ‘Yes, yes, I will.’
‘I have come home at last,’ he whispered against her hair.
‘As have I.’
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781472004185
PAYING THE VIKING’S PRICE
© Michelle Styles 2013
First Published in Great Britain in 2013
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