Pleasured by the Viking

Author:Willingham, Michelle [Willingham, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Viking, Contemporary, General, Romance, Historical, Fiction
ISBN: 9781460339985
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-07-15T07:00:00+00:00

“Don’t,” she pleaded. “I am the woman betrothed to Lord Maraloch. Release Gunnar, and I will go with you back to your camp.”

She lifted the torch, meeting the leader’s gaze. “We will keep the alliance and avoid further bloodshed.” Swallowing hard, she stared at Gunnar. His expression was like stone, impenetrable and furious.

A movement from the souterrain exit caught their attention, and she saw Trahern arriving with half a dozen men. More of the Ó Reillys came from the ladder above, surrounding the Normans on both sides.

“Go back to Lord Maraloch,” Trahern ordered the soldiers. “And tell him that he will only have his bride if he honors our agreement for peace.” In the torchlight, the chieftain’s face was rigid with anger. “I will have words with him about this treachery.”

The Norman took a step backwards, never taking his eyes off Auder. As they departed, they took the wounded soldier with them, and then they were gone.

Auder rushed to Gunnar’s side, touching the blood at his temple. “Are you all right? Can you stand?”

Gunnar caught her wrist, his eyes burning into hers. “You’re not going to go through with this marriage, Auder.”

She didn’t answer him, for though it terrified her to be living among these men, worse was the thought of war between them and her clan. His blood stained her fingertips, and everything inside her clenched at the thought of Gunnar coming to harm.

“I don’t have a choice.”

Later that evening

The Bel fires blazed upon the hillsides, and the clouded sky held off its rain. As the night of Bealtaine began, the Dalrata tribe members mingled with the Ó Reilly clan. Trahern sat in the midst of everyone, preparing to entertain them all with his stories. After the attempted invasion earlier, the atmosphere among the people was strung tight. Both the Irish and the Norsemen took turns guarding the cashel, though it seemed the Normans had indeed gone.

Her mother Halma sat with Maeve Ó Reilly, a matron who loved to gossip. Maeve sent Auder a nod of approval and continued speaking with Halma. It was the first time in many weeks that she’d seen her mother smiling.

When she went to join them, Maeve reached out to take her hand. “You’ve done the right thing, Auder Ó Reilly. I’ve been telling Halma that I can think of no one more courageous to marry the Norman.”

“I’m still not so sure,” Halma began.

“Nonsense.” A mischievous smile perked at the matron’s mouth. “With her looks, she’ll have that Norman eating out of her hand after one wedding night.”

Auder didn’t believe that at all, but she wasn’t about to ruin Halma’s evening. For now, her mother looked content. Not nearly as alone as she’d been. And for that, she was grateful to Maeve.

“When I was married,” Maeve continued, “I kept my husband well satisfied. If I asked him to bring me the stars from the sky, he’d have tried his best to get them.” To Halma, she added, “Stop your worrying. She’s a brave girl, and you should be proud of her.

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