Harlequin Historical December 2019--Box Set 2 of 2 by Jenni Fletcher

Author:Jenni Fletcher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

Ansithe stifled a gasp when they arrived back at the hall. In the lengthening shadows, she could make out a man, stripped to the waist and tied to a post. At her noise, he lifted his head and stared at them with a tear-streaked face. Bjartr.

Ansithe struggled to control her temper. She’d left Cynehild in charge and this had happened. She handed Moir her eating knife. ‘You cut him down. I will see what is going on.’

‘He stays.’ Cedric’s nasal whine rang out over the yard.

At Ansithe’s gesture, Moir continued over to Bjartr, but two of Cedric’s men stood in front of him, blocking him.

‘I am warning, you, Northman, do not interfere with Mercian justice or you will suffer a similar fate.’ Cedric said. ‘This man tried to steal a child from this house and then denied it. I was about to take him away.’

Ansithe marched up to where Cedric stood and jabbed him in his chest. ‘Under whose orders, Cedric? These are my prisoners, not yours. Cut him down, Moir.’

‘Ansithe, Cedric is right. That Northman was caught leading Wulfgar to the lake. He was going to drown him. Then he struck one of Cedric’s men.’ Cynehild came out, wringing her hands and clutching a very damp Wulfgar who wriggled and squirmed.

‘I saw it with my own eyes. And he attempted to hit me when I intervened.’ Cedric gave an irritating laugh. ‘He remains silent for now, but he will talk once I am finished with him. He is probably one of the ones who stole the sheep. He wanted to free his companions and crept in.’

‘Impossible,’ Moir roared. ‘Now move out of my way.’

Cedric’s men stood, hands on their swords, still blocking his way.

‘You heard the man. What you are claiming is impossible,’ Ansithe said.

‘What do you mean impossible? The Northman made an unprovoked attack on one of my men. It is my right—’

‘This man is my prisoner, one whom I captured as Cynehild knows full well. Now, move aside or I will consider it an act of war. We know who captured these prisoners.’

The men backed away, muttering.

‘After you, my lady,’ Moir said, giving her a significant look.

She took the knife from Moir, went up to Bjartr and cut him down. He fell to his knees and put his hand to his throat.

‘What was he doing carrying Wulfgar?’ Cynehild asked. ‘Wulfgar was not supposed to be anywhere near the threshing barn.’

‘Did you ask him? Or did you merely allow Cedric’s so-called warriors to beat him until he was incapable of speech?’

‘It was obvious what he was doing, my lady,’ Cedric said. ‘In any language. He was beaten for being insolent. You have no idea of how to look after prisoners properly.’

‘Back. Bringing back,’ Bjartr croaked. Now that he was down, the fresh bruising on his face was clearly visible. ‘Danger. Lake.’

‘Which way was Bjartr going, Cynehild, when you discovered him?’ Ansithe asked.

‘It happened so quickly. Wulfgar was missing, but only for a few heartbeats, I swear. We had started to search and then he appeared, carrying him.

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