The Viking’s Yuletide Woman by Cynthia Breeding

Author:Cynthia Breeding [Breeding, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prairie Rose Publications
Published: 2018-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Ella dragged herself to dinner in the Great Hall two evenings later, knowing she couldn’t stay hidden in her bedchamber forever. She hoped she could appear as nonchalant as Bronwolf had been on their walk back from the woods. Of course, kissing a girl under mistletoe—once he’d heard of the ritual—was just a lark for someone who’d not only probably kissed dozens of females, but also had two women residing in the room next to his for his personal pleasure.

That fact had become clear to her after Lynet said he treated them very well. How many times did she have to remind herself of it?

And then there was Ivar. The prince had decidedly not been happy that they hadn’t even gotten close to the boar, nor did he like that their party hadn’t waited for his return by the copse of oak trees. She really couldn’t put off evading him any longer either. Aethelthryth—the real one—would take her duty as a princess seriously, even if she was effectively a hostage.

She managed a smile for him as she took her place on the dais, noting immediately that Bronwolf’s chair on her other side was empty.

“Your captain will not be joining us this evening?” Ivar gave her a steady look. Belatedly, she realized she shouldn’t have asked.

“My captain has ridden out to one of the relay posts.” His eyes hooded. “Do you prefer his company to mine?”

Heat swept through her, the sensation reversed quickly to what felt like ice in her veins. She only hoped the telltale blush she hated hadn’t had time to surface. Lord! Did he suspect something? Had one of the maids or soldiers seen Bronwolf kissing her? She thought they’d broken apart quickly enough, but she wasn’t certain. How would the princess—the real one—handle this? Ella lifted her chin.

“I was merely remarking that his seat is empty.”

Ivar arched a brow. “You haven’t answered my question.”

He wasn’t about to be side-tracked, it seemed. She should have expected as much, given that he’d spent months gathering the Great Heathen Army and more months planning—and then lying-in-wait in East Anglia—for the right time to attack York.

“That would be foolish of me, wouldn’t it?” It was an ambiguous answer, although what was foolish was her continuing to think about Bronwolf’s kiss.

Ivar smiled. “It would, indeed.”

The smile didn’t fool her, especially since it didn’t reach his eyes. Instead, it was a barely disguised threat. He would not tolerate competition, even if it existed only in his head. It would be in her best interests—and Bronwolf’s—not to mention his name again. “I’m sure there is a more interesting subject we can discuss.”

His gaze remained intent. “There is. Us.”

“Us?” Ella suppressed a shudder. Maybe she could act deliberately obtuse. She managed to wave a hand. “I agree. The idea of Saxons and Vikings sharing their rituals and celebrating together is an excellent one. You were very clever to suggest it.”

His brow rose again. She suspected he saw through her ruse. As a prince, he was no doubt subjected to flattery on a daily basis as well.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.