The Viking's Touch. Joanna Fulford

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      ‘I … nothing.’

      ‘Something, I think.’ The tone was quiet, inviting confidence. Her confusion mounted.

      ‘I hardly know myself. Perhaps it is because I have never been so close to a warship before.’

      ‘Then let us allay your fear.’ He ran lightly up the gangplank that had been erected to allow easier access from the sand. Then he turned back to face her. ‘Come.’

      The word was both invitation and command. Anwyn took a deep breath and followed. Around them the smell of brine mingled with rope and wood and tar, and the air rang with the sound of male voices, punctuated at intervals by laughter.

      Having reached the top of the gangplank, she checked a little, mentally negotiating the step down on to the rowing bench and thence to the deck. Wulfgar saw the hesitation.

      ‘Allow me.’

      Strong hands closed round her waist. There followed a brief sensation of absolute weightlessness before she was set down beside him. Just for a moment she breathed the scent of wool from his tunic and beneath it the musky scent of the man. It was unexpectedly arousing, like the warmth of his hands through her clothing.

      ‘Welcome aboard the Sea Wolf,’ he said.

      In the name of self-preservation she took a step away, but had forgotten the now angled deck and stumbled. A strong arm caught her by the waist and prevented her from falling.

      ‘Oh, I … er, thank you.’ Her heart was thumping so hard she was sure he must hear it.

      If he was aware of any awkwardness, it was not apparent. ‘Take care. I would not have you break an ankle.’

      ‘Yes. No.’ Her face reddened. ‘I mean I will take care.’

      Gently she disengaged herself from his hold and was relieved when he made no attempt to stop her. Rather he spoke about the ship, pointing out various aspects of her design as they went. Anwyn relaxed a little. In front of them she could hear Hermund patiently answering Eyvind’s questions. Wulfgar surveyed the pair for a moment.

      ‘The boy has an enquiring mind.’

      ‘Enough for half-a-dozen children.’ She smiled fondly at her son. ‘He has really come out of his shell.’

      ‘He was not always so forthcoming?’

      ‘No.’ She hesitated. ‘His father was overly strict with him. It made the child shy and fearful.’

      He thought he detected anger beneath the quiet tone and was suddenly curious. ‘Some firmness is essential, but a child should not be afraid of its father.’

      ‘My late husband was not a patient man.’

      ‘I see.’

      Anwyn had no wish to talk about Torstein. He was a part of her life she wished to forget. Accordingly she changed the subject.

      ‘Do you have sons, my lord?’

      He should have been expecting that, but it caught him unawares. ‘No.’

      ‘A wife?’

      ‘No.’

      He did not elaborate and something about those succinct replies forbade further inquiry. Perhaps the life of a mercenary was incompatible with domestic ties. Such men took their pleasure where they found it. She shivered a little. Had he ever taken a woman by force? Almost immediately she rejected the idea—a man like this would never have a problem getting women to share his bed. Her experience was limited, of course, but she guessed that most would not object. That thought led to others, unexpected and disquieting. Quickly she looked away lest he should read her face.

      ‘We have trespassed on your time too long, my lord. We should go.’

      ‘I think it is we who trespass,’ he replied. ‘All the same I cannot regret that we did.’

      Anwyn smiled. ‘Nor does my son.’

      ‘And you, my lady?’

      ‘No, of course not.’

      They reached the gangplank and he stepped up ahead of her, offering his hand once more. Strong fingers closed over hers. The touch sent a charge along her flesh. When they gained the beach once more she called to Ina and Eyvind. They rejoined her and the whole group walked back to the horses. Anwyn half-expected that Wulfgar would take his leave of them then and remain. However, it seemed that was not his intention.

      ‘I must find out how work is progressing on the yard,’ he said.

      Anwyn nodded. ‘Of course. We have kept you away too long already.’

      ‘It was a pleasant interruption.’

      ‘I am sure that Eyvind will talk of nothing else for days.’

      They remounted and rode slowly back to the homestead. The tension that Anwyn had felt earlier was missing now and she felt a little ashamed of her suspicions. You suspect … I might carry you off? The idea should have been abhorrent. Pirates took slaves to sell them on. I wouldn’t sell you. The implications of those words should have been abhorrent, too, but the thoughts they engendered were rather different. The realisation sent a flush of warmth through her entire being. Mentally giving herself a shake, she reflected that Lord Wulfgar had been amusing himself at her expense. Moreover, if he had intended harm he would have done it already. In spite of his avowed profession there was much about him that did not seem to fit the conventional image of a mercenary. It was something of a mystery, like the man himself.

      Chapter Five

      Her buoyant mood lasted until they reached the pale and she saw the horses waiting outside the hall. Recognising them, her heart sank.

      ‘Ingvar,’ she murmured.

      She and her companions scarcely had time to dismount before half-a-dozen men emerged from the hall with Lord Ingvar at their head. For a moment he surveyed the little scene and then hurried forwards to meet her.

      ‘Lady Anwyn. I came as soon as I could.’

      ‘Is something wrong, my lord?’

      It seemed to throw him for a moment, but he was quick to recover. ‘I refer to what happened yesterday. I can only apologise.’

      ‘Grymar has already done so.’

      ‘It is meet he should. He is fully aware of my displeasure.’

      Anwyn had no doubt of that. ‘I knew he had exceeded his authority.’

      ‘It is deeply to be regretted.’ Ingvar paused. ‘Of course he meant well. He knows how much care I have for your safety.’

      ‘I was never in danger, my lord.’

      ‘He СКАЧАТЬ