The Viking's Touch. Joanna Fulford
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Название: The Viking's Touch
Автор: Joanna Fulford
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Историческая литература
Серия: Mills & Boon Historical
isbn: 9781408923764
isbn:
The maid regarded her sympathetically. ‘I understand why you hesitate, my lady, but all men cannot be judged by Earl Torstein’s standards, or Lord Ingvar’s, either.’
‘It may be so. I wouldn’t know.’ Anwyn sighed. ‘However, what’s past cannot be amended. I am free of the brute my father chained me to, and I will not exchange him for another.’
Jodis looked hurt. ‘My lady, if I thought Lord Wulfgar such another I would never have suggested this idea.’
‘I am sure you meant well. It matters not in any case; he’d never agree to such a scheme. He’s an adventurer, a man who values his freedom. He’d never saddle himself with this.’
‘No, perhaps not.’ Jodis sighed and retrieved the distaff, carefully winding on more wool. ‘It was just an idea.’
They lapsed into silence after this but, although she tried to dismiss it, Anwyn found that the idea persisted. What if she were to hire the services of the mercenary force? How long would they be prepared to remain? More to the point, how long would she be able to pay them? Long enough for Ingvar to give up hope and find another rich wife instead? Or at least to give up hope of Drakensburgh? That would be a desperate gamble. Torstein had been wealthy, but the gold was not inexhaustible. The Sea Wolf’s crew would indeed command large sums for their services.
And then there was Lord Wulfgar. He disturbed her more than she cared to admit, though she could not have said precisely why. In him were depths she could not sound. The man was a mass of contradictions. Something about him suggested danger, but not in any familiar sense of the word. His manner was direct and assured but, despite the predatory nickname, it was not that of an obvious aggressor. At the same time she knew instinctively that it would be a serious error to cross him. Only a fool would do that, and then only once. If he agreed to help her, she certainly wouldn’t make that mistake. She had no wish to earn his enmity. Besides, if she hired his services he would take orders from her. She smiled in self-mockery. It was ridiculous to let her mind range so far ahead. Only a fool would imagine that such a man would involve himself in the affairs of a woman. And only a coward would avoid sounding him out.
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