“Then there is naught more to be said,” declared Morchan at last. “No doubt ’twill all end in sorrow.”
The men filed out, Borald leaving last and looking as if he wanted to speak to Quarrie, though he did not. It bothered Quarrie more than it should. Besides being his master at arms, Borach was his friend. He did not want a break between them.
When only Ma remained behind, Quarrie took a turn about the hall. The place felt big and too empty with everyone gone. With his da’s presence missing. Da had possessed such a grand personality and had been so much a part of this place, it seemed he must linger still.
What would he say to this alliance Quarrie had made with the Norse? Quarrie shuddered to think.
“They are no’ happy,” Ma said gently.
“They will ha’ to grow accustomed to the agreement. ’Tis best for the clan.”
Was it, though? Or best for him? Either way, he could not let Hulda go.
“Sit wi’ me.” Ma came and perched on a bench beside him. “Talk to me.”
“I ha’ had enough o’ talking.”
“Still and all.” She captured his hand. When he lowered himself beside her, she studied him with wise eyes. “Tell me o’ this woman, this Hulda Elvarsdottir.”
Why should she ask him to do that?
“I think,” Ma said very gently indeed, “there is more in it than a mere alliance.”
Ah, so Ma’s instincts were all up and howling, were they?
When he did not speak, she went on, “I did see her down there on the shore. Quite…unusual, I suppose I should say, for a woman to assume a man’s place the way she has.”
Hulda was all woman, though, beneath that rough clothing. Her body supple and willing. Her very spirit calling to his, seducing him.
“Son, are ye attracted to her?”
That made Quarrie look into his mother’s eyes. A good woman she was, a soft spirit every bit as steady as his own, fiercely loyal and generous to those she loved. She must have felt a great attraction to Da.
Softly still, she said, “I ha’ never much believed in love at first sight. I ha’ no need to. I knew yer father all my life, fro’ the time he was an annoying wee laddie onward. And by God, he was annoying. He used to pull my hair. No’ till much later did I see somewhat in his smile that went beyond teasing.”
“Ye had a good marriage,” Quarrie offered.
“A fine, braw one. It seems now like a dream. I ask myself constantly, how can he be gone fro’ me, and my heart still beating? Quarrie, I understand love. If ye—”
He cut her off with a lift of his brows. “I am no’ in love with Hulda Elvarsdottir.” Did he lie to his ma? But nay, what he felt for the woman could not go by so ordinary a name aslove.
“Attracted to her, then.”
Aye, he was wildly attracted. Her mouth hot on his. His hands upon her. An attraction like nothing he’d ever imagined. Madness. Surely it was a form of madness.
“If I am,” he told his mother, “it has no bearing on the agreement.”
“Are ye certain? For aye, though this decision lies wi’ ye, the men are right. Ye ha’ invited a fierce wolf in among our beasts.”
“The wolf may bite, but will no’ turn on us.”
“How d’ye ken ye can trust her?”
“She has given her word to me.”
Ma seemed flummoxed by that. Her lips pressed together tight before she said, “Son—she is a Norsewoman. She may be lying.”
“Anyone may lie, Ma. I might. I may ha’ lied to her also. I could call up a force o’ men and fall upon her company once they are ashore on the bit o’ land I ha’ afforded them. But I will no’, because I ha’ given her my promise also.”
