Surrender To The Viking (7 page)

Presently Alrik strolled over and settled himself beside her. For a moment or two he surveyed her in silence then he too turned his gaze seawards.

‘Are you all right?’

Lara nodded. ‘Yes, I thank you.’

‘That’s good. After what happened earlier I feared you might not be.’

‘There is no reason to be concerned.’

‘He did not hurt you, Lara?’

‘No, he did not.’

‘I’m glad to hear it. The thought has been much on my mind.’

The words produced a twinge of guilt. ‘I’m sorry if you were worried. I did not intend it so.’ She sighed. ‘What happened was my own fault. I should not have lost my temper. It was foolish.’

‘Well, on that we are agreed.’

‘Don’t worry. I’ve learned my lesson.’

‘Indeed I hope so. Jarl Finn is your husband now and your place is at his side. There is no point in stubborn rebellion. If you try to fight him you’ll lose.’

She made no reply but kept her gaze on the moon-tracked sea. However unpalatable they might be she knew the words for truth.

‘Is he really such bad choice of husband, Lara?’

She turned her head to look at him. ‘You forget. I did not have a choice.’

‘Is there another man you’d rather have? One of your erstwhile suitors perhaps?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous.’

‘Well, then, do you equate Jarl Finn with them?’

‘Of course not. He’s nothing like them.’ She reddened a little. ‘He’s...he’s...well, I don’t yet know what he is.’

‘Not yet perhaps.’

‘You evidently like him well.’

‘Yes, I do,’ he replied. ‘In fact after today I like him even better.’ He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze and then went to rejoin his men.

When he had gone she was left to ponder on what he had said. Alrik had a strong streak of common sense and the habit of quiet plain speaking that she respected. She could not reflect on her earlier behaviour with any satisfaction. It was not only foolish: with hindsight it seemed petulant as well. She had only herself to blame for the consequences. Finn had made it clear that he would not be crossed but at the same time he had tempered the punishment. It seemed he didn’t bear a grudge either or she’d be shivering in wet clothing now. Perhaps it was merely that he rated her defiance as nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Certainly the signs pointed that way. It was frightening to recall how easily he’d dealt with her.

She glanced furtively across the campsite towards the other fire and the group of men gathered around it, locating Finn at once. He was speaking with his companions but she didn’t catch the words and didn’t try. Her attention was on the man. The light of the flames fell across him casting part of his face into shadow and accentuating the rest with fire. The result was dramatic and arresting. He was more than distinctive, she realised.
He’s not like the others.
That had never been more apparent. He was as unlike them as mead was from swamp water. At the same time she knew so little about him. Suddenly she would have liked to know more, to know what made him who he was. She sensed that there was so much more beneath the surface; far more than he ever revealed. She had never met a man who was so self-contained and yet who conducted himself with such ease in company. Conversations with him were stimulating. Even when they argued, she enjoyed pitting her wit against his.

When she thought about it more carefully it was apparent that every challenge she threw out had been met and overcome. He’d accomplished it without seeming to try too hard either. Nor had his relationship with her deflected him one inch from his purpose. While he had made a major impact on her life she suspected that the reverse wasn’t true at all. He’d married her because it advanced his plans and he’d taken the whole business in his stride; it had made no personal impact on him.

For the first time, it occurred to her to wonder what kind of woman would have that effect on him. Such a man must have known many women in his time. It could not be otherwise. Had he cared for any of them? Loved any of them? What was his ideal of womanhood? Tall, buxom and blonde most like, and with a placid nature. At all events not a slight, hot-tempered little redhead. Some considered her fair but beauty was in the eye of the beholder.
You have wit and looks enough to win a man.
She sighed. Even if she’d wanted to she had no idea how to win this man.

Chapter Eight

F
inn glanced across the camp towards Lara and Alrik, wondering what the conversation was about. Not that it was any of his business. Had it been anyone else he might well have made it his business. His men wouldn’t attempt to engage his wife in private conversation, but the others were an unknown quantity. However, it seemed unlikely that they would behave with undue familiarity to Ottar’s daughter even if they had known her for years. Alrik had a privileged position. He could speak to her whenever he liked without it being taken amiss. Nor was he likely to be rebuffed. The closeness between brother and sister was evident. None of which improved Finn’s present humour.

Although she’d since bowed to the inevitable it was clear that Lara didn’t want to be with him and that she would cheerfully have watched him sail away. Perhaps she had even been secretly hoping that when confrontation came Steingrim would be the victor. He sighed, mentally upbraiding himself for that. It was unfair and it contradicted what she’d said earlier about the evil nature of the foe. He ought to be glad that she had acknowledged his prowess as a fighter. It wasn’t much but at least it suggested that he wasn’t completely sunk in her estimation.

When he’d determined to bring Lara with him he hadn’t anticipated having to bind her hand and foot to do it. She’d left him no choice in the end. He wouldn’t have put it past her to make good the threat to jump overboard. Even so, he didn’t want a relationship with her that was based on coercion. She would learn to respect him as a wife should respect a husband, but he didn’t want her to fear him. He wanted her willing co-operation. He wanted her to be relaxed in his company, to enjoy his company, to desire his company. Finn grimaced. He knew how far he was from that particular goal. Yet it had been on his mind since he’d carried her ashore that afternoon. By rights he should have let the little witch get wet but if he had he would have missed an opportunity. For a few short minutes he’d got Lara exactly where he wanted her and without a fight. He hadn’t been too sure he’d succeed in getting her to put her arms around his neck but the ruse had worked. It had also rebounded on him spectacularly. He hadn’t anticipated his response to her nearness, to the touch and the scent of her. He hadn’t anticipated the urge to kiss her again, this time until she begged for mercy.

Fortunately, he hadn’t yielded to temptation. Things between them were difficult already without his making them worse. He would honour his promise not to force himself on her. What he wanted could not be compelled. They needed time to grow accustomed to each other. Besides, there was still the matter of Steingrim...

His train of thought was broken when he saw Alrik move away. Lara remained where she was, apparently contemplating the view. It was a fine night; he might almost have said a night made for romance. With any other woman he’d have taken full advantage of that but Lara wasn’t any woman. She was his wife and just then she looked small and forlorn and strangely vulnerable. The sight awoke his protective instincts. It shouldn’t have: it was weakness and he knew it. That apparent fragility contained a core of steel. By rights he should keep his distance, keep her guessing.

He turned back to his companions and tried to concentrate on the conversation but his attention kept wandering back to the lonely figure on the strand. The air was cooler now and she was some distance from the fire. He hesitated, torn...

* * *

The scrunch of stones underfoot alerted her to his presence. At first she thought it was Alrik returning but when she looked up it was a very different figure standing there. The sight of him set her heart beating a little faster.

‘Finn.’

‘You’ll get cold sitting there. Come closer to the fire.’

The invitation carried a faint hint of command. However, he was right. The air was chilly now and beginning to make itself felt. The thought of some warmth was not unwelcome.

‘All right.’

He held out a hand to help her up, a casual gesture of courtesy that she had not expected. After a brief hesitation she placed her fingers in his and was drawn effortlessly to her feet. Retaining his hold he led her up the strand. His hand was strong and warm, the touch both possessive and reassuring. Part of her wanted to disengage from that disconcerting contact but, deep down, something else countermanded the urge and she allowed herself to be led to the fire.

As they arrived, the men sitting there glanced up. Some of them smiled but they made no comment and continued their conversation.

Finn gestured to the makeshift seat afforded by his sea chest. ‘Please....’

Somewhat self-consciously she sat down and then Finn took his place beside her. It was far more comfortable than cold stone but in the limited space bodily contact was inescapable. Lara stretched her hands to the blaze and tried not to think about the strong thigh pressed against hers or the arm brushing her shoulder. Her flesh tingled where they touched and the sudden heat in her face had nothing to do with the fire.

‘Better?’ he asked.

‘Oh...er, yes. Thank you.’

‘It would be most inconvenient if you were to catch a chill.’

The quietly acerbic tone both rallied and reassured. Her lips twitched and she shot him a sideways look. ‘I should have known this was not an altruistic gesture.’

‘Yes, you should. I am not given to altruism. I prefer to look to my own interests.’

‘Most of the time I have no doubt, but not always.’

‘What makes you say that?’

‘If you were truly as self-interested as you claim you would not be championing your family’s cause. You’d have set sail for the safety of foreign parts and let them take their chances.’

‘The thought did occur to me.’

She uttered a soft laugh. ‘No, my lord, it did not.’

It elicited a reluctant smile. ‘In truth you are right.’ He paused. ‘How did you know?’

‘Such a course of action would be cowardly and dishonourable.’

For a moment he was silent, his gaze returning to the fire. ‘Am I to infer then that you think me above such deeds?’

‘Yes, I do think that.’

‘I am honoured, my lady.’

He sounded sincere. At least on this occasion the words carried no discernible edge. Lara too had been sincere: she could not imagine this man leaving his kin or his friends in the lurch to save his own skin. He was many things but dishonourable wasn’t one of them. Why he should have suggested otherwise was a mystery, unless of course it had been intended to provoke. That was entirely possible.

‘I was under the impression that your opinion of me was much lower,’ he went on.

‘Not that low, my lord.’

The smile returned. ‘I am relieved.’

‘I didn’t know that my opinion mattered.’ When he did not immediately reply she went on, ‘That was your cue to say that it doesn’t.’

‘To say that would be false and I have given my word to be honest with you.’

‘And yet you compelled me to come with you today.’

‘So I did.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m not about to contest the point any further. I have learned the folly of disobedience.’

‘I wonder.’

‘Well, I’m sure I can rely on you to remind me if I forget.’

His eyes gleamed. ‘Certainly. However, that wasn’t the reason for insisting on your company.’

‘A wife’s place is with her husband?’

‘Yes, it is. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way. Only a fool makes the same mistakes twice.’

She blinked. ‘Twice? Then...you were married once before?’

‘Yes, I was married before, but I was too often away from home and for long periods of time. In consequence my wife found consolation elsewhere.’

‘Oh.’

It was as though the ground had suddenly disappeared from under her feet. Yet why should it be so hard to believe? He was older than her by seven or eight years, certainly old enough to have been married before. He was handsome, noble and moderately wealthy. It was naive to imagine that such a man would not have a past. With an effort she gathered her wits.

‘I see.’

‘Do you?’

‘It’s obvious, isn’t it? You think that if you had left me behind I would have amused myself behind your back.’ She paused, regarding him coolly. ‘Hardly a flattering assessment of my character but at least it’s honest.’

‘You leap too swiftly to conclusions.’

‘Do I?’ Suddenly the proximity was too much, the heat from the fire too great. She got to her feet. ‘You will excuse me.’

She left the circle of firelight and hurried away, grateful for the cool air on her face. However, before she had gone a dozen paces a large hand closed on her arm, arresting her progress. Lara’s gaze smouldered.

‘Let go of me, Finn.’

His grip didn’t alter. ‘The conversation isn’t finished yet.’

‘It is as far as I’m concerned.’

He drew her round to face him. ‘Will you calm down and listen, you crazy little hothead, instead of storming off like that?’

She glared at him. ‘So I’m a hothead now as well as a slut.’

‘I did not call you a slut.’

‘You implied it.’

‘That was not my intention and I’m sorry if you thought so.’

‘Then say what you want to say and have done.’

‘Neither of us sought this marriage but it happened. Nor were the circumstances ideal. In addition there is a ruthless enemy to confront and overcome. Nevertheless, it seems to me that these are not insurmountable obstacles—that, ultimately, we can determine how this works out.’

‘We?’

He took a deep breath. ‘I don’t want to fail a second time, Lara, but I’m only half of this relationship.’

It chimed uncannily with what her father had said before and it gave her pause. However, there were inconsistencies. ‘Your words imply that our roles are equal but your actions imply the opposite.’

‘My actions today were a last resort. I prefer reason to the use of force, but when reason fails I’ll do what I must. I wanted you with me and so I chose the most direct method of achieving that end.’

‘It is unlikely to take very long to settle accounts with Steingrim. You could have returned for me afterwards.’

‘A few weeks? A few months? Who knows? By then we would have become well and truly estranged,’ he replied. ‘I wasn’t prepared to let that happen. The only way we’re going to get to know each other better is by spending time together.’

‘Such things cannot be forced.’

‘No, they can’t, but at this stage of the proceedings time together offers more hope than time apart. In my experience absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder.’

‘Might not familiarity breed contempt?’

‘Only if there is something inherently contemptible in the character to begin with. Time shows us the man.’

‘Are you not afraid of what you may learn?’

‘No. I prefer to keep an open mind.’ He surveyed her steadily. ‘Are you prepared to do the same?’

She nodded. ‘Very well.’

Finn released his hold on her arm. ‘Good. Then we are agreed.’

* * *

By tacit consent they returned to the fireside for a while but, as the hour grew late, the men left off their conversation and began to prepare for sleep. While some made use of cloaks and blankets, most had sealskin sleeping bags which were both snug and waterproof. Finn lifted his from the wooden sea chest and shook it open, laying it out on the strand. A rolled cloak served as a pillow. Lara watched these preparations with quiet dismay. Her mind hadn’t moved as far ahead as sleeping arrangements, an oversight which hit her forcefully now.

Her companion straightened and smiled. ‘My sleeping bag is large enough for two if you feel inclined to share it. Alternatively there’s a spare blanket.’

She swallowed hard. ‘I’ll take the blanket.’

‘How did I know you were going to say that?’ He retrieved the item from the chest and tossed it over.

She caught it awkwardly. Finn turned away and unbuckled his sword belt, laying the weapon within easy reach. Then he climbed into the sleeping bag. Recollecting herself she hurriedly prepared her own bed and lay down.

Finn laced his hands behind his head, looking on with interest. ‘You know, you’d be a lot warmer in here.’

She had not the slightest doubt about that. Just thinking about it sent a wave of heat the length of her body and she was glad of the darkness that hid the telltale blush in her cheeks.

‘I’m quite content I assure you.’

‘It can get very chilly in the early hours.’

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘Well, if you change your mind...’

‘I won’t.’ She turned on her side and pulled the blanket higher around her shoulders. ‘Goodnight, my lord.’

As he bade her goodnight in return she could have sworn his voice trembled on the edge of laughter.