The Viking She Would Have Married by Lucy Morris

Author:Lucy Morris
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-03-07T15:02:51+00:00

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Halfdan peeled away the rest of her clothing, with the determination of a man who would not be thwarted a second time. He threw her undertunic to the ground with a wet slap of satisfaction, then his fingers got busy at her ties.

Valda shivered, although whether it was from the cold or the shock of the day’s events she couldn’t be sure. Her mind was still spinning.

For once, she didn’t doubt him, and though there was a hundred people she could check regarding Olga, she didn’t need to. The idea that his callous father would laugh in Olga’s face and threaten to kill her child simply for lying sounded horribly true.

Besides, Halfdan’s betrayal had never sat right with her and now she knew why. Even her own eyes had deceived her. All because she’d been ready to believe no one could love a fatherless shieldmaiden.

But she’d been so wrong and it was a hard truth to swallow. It meant that he had loved her and wanted her to sail away with him all those years ago. But she’d been too young and afraid.

In truth, he’d remained more loyal than she, who had set her sights on Jorund afterwards. Hoping—as he’d accused—for something better...or at least something more attainable.

She might have been happy with Halfdan. They could have travelled the world together, built a life together. Maybe in time they might have married. As Halfdan’s success and independence grew away from his father, they could have broken away, had children of their own... Each thought only tormented her further, because there was nothing she could do to repair their broken past. Those opportunities were gone. Halfdan was right, they had to look to the future.

But was this a mistake? So much was still unsaid between them.

Would Halfdan still keep his promise to his father and marry another? He’d made no declarations and she was afraid to know the truth.

Could she accept even less than what was offered before?

Besides...could she even leave her family for another man...again? Things had always gone so badly in the past...

Was this just another lapse in judgement? Did she even care?

All concern and resolve melted away as she watched Halfdan methodically remove her boots and leg wraps, kissing the skin beneath with loving caresses as he revealed the flesh.

She wanted him. Desperately.

She didn’t want to think any more. Halfdan was finally with her. Kissing and caressing her. Sitting up, she began to undo the ties that kept her breasts secure, tossing the strips of linen aside with renewed confidence.

Even if this was a mistake, she would treasure this moment of happiness for ever. Her hands flew to her hips as she peeled off the last of her clothing and threw her braes aside.

He moved away from the bed and she feared he would leave her. But when he started to remove his clothing, she breathed a sigh of relief, allowing herself to admire the man he’d become.

No longer a pale and slim youth, but a man weathered by the sea and kissed by the sun of distant lands.

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