Sent as the Viking's Bride by Michelle Styles

Author:Michelle Styles
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-10-04T15:01:22+00:00

* * *

Ragn concentrated on scrubbing the flagstones in the hall. She done three-quarters of them and now they gleamed.

Her wedding today was going to be as different as she could make it from the last time. No magnificent feast, golden crown or crowds of women pretending to make her beautiful.

With each swipe of her scrubbing brush, she added another promise. The wedding was going to be very private. Then she would return to her duties. No lavish honeymoon or pretending he cared for her as had happened with Hamthur. The marriage was why she’d journeyed to Jura. It would keep Svana safe because if Vargr did discover they were alive, he would think twice about attacking a warrior with Gunnar’s reputation. Solid reasons for the marriage, not that his teasing at the end of the day lifted her mood, or that his delight in her cooking made her try harder or even that she wanted to feel his mouth moving overs hers. Ragn made an angry swipe with the bristled brush at her deluded folly.

This time she kept her heart safe and her dignity intact.

She knew what Gunnar required from a marriage—practical and without complication. She was practical. She had made Hamthur’s hall prosperous, so prosperous that Vargr had been convinced Hamthur had cheated him. It was the other part of the marriage she’d failed at.

‘Here I find you hiding.’ His warm voice flowed over her, making her remember how she’d felt in his arms and banishing all coherent plans. ‘Svana gave me an earful. Apparently, I’ve upset you and I’m to apologise. When she is roused, Svana is quite fearsome.’

‘Svana misread the situation. Hardly hiding. Working hard.’ Ragn dipped her brush into the bucket before scrubbing the already clean flagstones again. ‘I like putting the house to rights after a feast. Everything to be pristine for when the Sun Maiden emerges from the belly of the wolf and your men renew their oaths.’

‘You appear to have forgotten we are to marry today. Your scrubbing must wait.’

She rocked back on her heels. Her breath stopped. The weak winter sun silhouetted Gunnar in the doorway, highlighting the breadth of his chest and how it tapered down to his waist and hips. She hurriedly glanced at the muddy pool of water. ‘That’s just the thing. I’m not sure it should wait.’

‘Are you trying to change the terms of our deal? I have made the necessary arrangements.’

Gunnar’s voice rang out in the empty hall, echoing all about. She hated that her mood instantly lightened. Gunnar was not having second thoughts. She drew her brows together and forced a scowl.

‘Have Maurr and his men departed?’ She stood up and was immediately aware of the sodden patches on her gown.

‘On the morning tide. I made your excuses, Sleepyhead.’

‘You should have woken me.’

‘Today will be long enough.’ He shrugged. ‘You kept the impending nuptials a secret from Svana when you sent her down to the shore.’

‘Her screams of delight would have ensured Maurr delayed his departure.

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