Defiant in the Viking's Bed by Joanna Fulford

Author:Joanna Fulford
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The steading in Agder was large and prosperous. As the ship entered the inlet Astrid could see several timber buildings and, beyond their shingled roofs, meadows in which cattle and horses grazed. Above the pasture, rowan and birch clad the lower shoulders of the hills before giving way to pine. After that the slopes grew steeper, leading the eye away to distant peaks of naked grey rock and patches of snow.

Their arrival had been noted. As the ship’s keel crunched on shingle several men hurried to meet it. One or two called out greetings which were as warmly returned. The crew lost no time in going ashore and soon the air rang with men’s voices. The atmosphere was definitely one of homecoming. Standing in the midst of the crowd, Astrid felt oddly isolated and more than ever aware of her ragged appearance which only served to underline her subservient position. She could only suppose that her life as a thrall was about to begin in earnest. It was a lowering thought.

‘Well, well. What have we here?’

She looked up quickly to see a stranger. He was big and heavy set, dark of hair and beard; dark too were the eyes surveying her now. Astrid looked away. A large hand reached for her chin and forced her head round.

‘Not bad,’ he said. ‘Not bad at all.’

Indignantly she jerked free of his hold. ‘Get your hands off me.’

He chuckled softly. ‘Spirited too. Better and better. I’ll wager she’s a lively piece in bed.’

‘Speculate all you like, Gunnar,’ said Leif. ‘The only bed she shares is mine and you’d do well to remember it.’

Gunnar spread his hands in a gesture of resignation. ‘No offence meant, my lord. Just admiring the goods.’

Broad grins greeted this and Astrid’s cheeks turned crimson. However, she suppressed her anger, knowing better than to give it utterance. Leif seemed unperturbed.

‘You may look,’ he replied.

The rest was left unsaid. No one else ventured a comment, though the men exchanged knowing glances. Gunnar laughed and the moment passed. Presently the whole group headed towards the buildings Astrid had seen earlier. Since there was nothing else to be done she went with them.

As they drew nearer her eyes widened a little. This was indeed the house of a wealthy man. She guessed it must be at least thirty metres long. Great carved pillars flanked the main doors and carved finials projected like antlers above the shingled roof whence smoke curled up from a central hole.

No sooner had they reached the hall than a man appeared in the doorway. To judge from his grizzled hair and beard he was in his late forties, but, save for a wooden leg, he looked hale and strong. On seeing the new arrivals the man let out an exclamation of delight and hastened to meet them. Moments later Leif was embraced in a bear hug.

‘Welcome back, my lord! It has been too long.’

Leif grinned and clapped him on the back. ‘It’s good to see you too, Aron.

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