A Viking Maiden for the Marquess by Michelle Willingham

Author:Michelle Willingham [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2016-08-01T16:00:00+00:00

Eric helped the men push the wooden boat through the shallow water before climbing inside and taking his place at the oars beside Hrafn. Katarina sat at the bow of the ship, her long blond hair streaming behind her. She wore a linen gown dyed green, and her cheeks were flushed from the wind.

Just watching her made him feel the burden of guilt. He had no right to wed a beautiful woman like her, even if it was an arrangement for her protection. She ought to wed a man who could provide her with a home and children—not a man trapped between centuries. But Eric could never stand back and watch her marry a man who would ravage her and break her spirit.

He didn’t belong in this era. And though the volva’s prophesy sounded rather superstitious, he was rather inclined to believe her. A man from the year 1811 could not possibly remain in the Viking age of 811. He’d nearly had his head taken off by Leif, and no amount of rapier training could have prepared him for this.

No, the odds were that he would die—if not by Leif’s hand, then by a hundred other ways. It was not natural for him to be here.

It sobered him, making him aware of just how precious every moment was. And though it was selfish, he found himself wanting to spend his last weeks with this woman.

Katarina was strong-willed, fiercer than any of the English ladies he’d known. She hadn’t sobbed or faltered in the face of danger. From the moment he’d kissed her, it was as if the years of loneliness had fallen away. Although the marriage had been a means of keeping her safe, he didn’t regret it for a moment.

The longer he remained in this primitive age, the more he felt the trappings of his former life slipping away. There was freedom here, a wildness that flowed through his veins. It was so different among these people, but he welcomed the challenge.

When they were a short distance away from the shoreline, Katarina moved from the bow and came to kneel beside him. Her face had gone the color of snow.

“What is it?”

She leaned in, keeping her voice low. “I saw Leif watching our boat leave. I fear what he might do.” She rubbed at her arms, as if her skin was freezing.

Hrafn was listening, and Eric exchanged a glance with the man. “Will he follow us?”

Her brother shrugged. “He might. But we outnumber him.”

Eric stared at the shoreline, wondering whether there was a threat. He knew Valdr had ordered the man confined during the wedding. But would he seek vengeance?

He turned back to Katarina. Despite his uneasiness, he revealed none of it to her. “I will not let him lay a hand upon you. Trust me in this.”

Her blue eyes met his, but he saw the doubt within them. Even if Valdr could teach him how to fight like a Viking, he lacked their strength. But he didn’t want his wife to be afraid—not when he was guarding her.

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