Surrender to the Viking. Joanna Fulford

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      Chapter Five

      A small hov had been made ready for the bridal couple so that this night at least they might have privacy. Lara fought her captor every step of the way but to no avail: she was borne inexorably on until they reached their destination. Before anyone had a chance to intervene Finn carried her inside and heeled the door shut behind him. Then he set her down and barred it securely. At once a chorus of indignant voices rose from outside and heavy fists pounded on the wood. He ignored them, and turned towards his bride.

      For several heart-thumping seconds they surveyed each other in silence. Lara darted a look around: lamplight revealed that the hov was sparsely furnished, the single room dominated by a large bed covered with furs. The window was shuttered fast. The only door was the one by which they had entered and Finn was between it and her. She moistened her lips. In the confined space he seemed much larger than before, a dominating and virile presence whose attention was now entirely on her.

      ‘Alone at last.’ He smiled and removed his cloak, tossing it over a chair. Then he looked at Lara and threw his arms wide. ‘Come here, sweet wife.’

      She made no move to obey. ‘I will not. I agreed to wed you, nothing else.’

      He evinced complete surprise. ‘Are you saying you will not share my bed?’

      ‘Yes, I am saying that.’

      ‘It’s a serious matter to deny a man his marital rights.’

      The teasing tone was much more disconcerting than an outright display of anger, and much harder to deal with.

      ‘You’ve got what you wanted. This was about ships and swords and nothing else.’

      ‘Didn’t anyone mention that it’s actually about more than that? Would it surprise you to know that you must run my hall and perform all duties connected with that?’

      Her eyes sparkled with indignation. ‘Of course it wouldn’t.’

      ‘Oh, good. That’ll save confusion.’ He paused in apparent contemplation of some mental list. ‘In addition I must mention, in case anyone else didn’t, that I shall want half-a-dozen fine sons to continue my line and that you must produce them. Not all at once of course,’ he amended. ‘I don’t wish to be unreasonable.’

      Lara experienced a fresh surge of indignation. Along with that were other more elusive emotions that she didn’t want to explore. ‘I am not a brood mare to be used at your pleasure.’

      ‘You know, it would be very much my pleasure,’ he replied. ‘In spite of your vile temper you’re a comely wench. Bedding you will not be an unwelcome obligation.’

      Lara backed a pace. ‘Stay away from me!’

      ‘You don’t mean that.’

      ‘I said stay away.’

      ‘What are you afraid of, Lara?’

      ‘I’m not afraid of you.’

      He advanced unhurriedly. ‘No?’

      ‘No.’

      It was a downright lie. Just then she’d never felt so scared in her life. All the same she’d rather have died than admit it. She would also have given anything to have had a sword in her hand.

      ‘Then come and kiss me, sweet wife.’

      ‘I will not kiss you.’

      ‘I really would like it if you did.’

      Her stomach wallowed. Then her back met the wall. Desperately she edged along it, her eyes seeking some weapon, anything that might be used to hold him off. Her leg brushed a stool. She bent and grabbed it, hurling it at his head. Finn ducked and the missile flew past, crashing against the door. She heard him chuckle. Anger temporarily replaced fear and the stool was followed by a jug and a wooden bowl. He avoided them easily СКАЧАТЬ