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Hrolf glowered at her as the men dispersed, leaving them once again alone. ‘What else must I endure before our wedding night? Or is that the extent of your escape preparations?’
Sayrid raised her chin and met his furious gaze head-on. ‘A simple thank you would have been pleasant in the circumstances.’
His brow furrowed and he seemed genuinely perplexed. ‘Why?’
‘I—I—I prevented things from escalating,’ she stammered. ‘You were outnumbered. My brother may not be a brilliant warrior, but he can hold his own.’
‘Did I ask for your assessment of the situation?’ His voice was as cold as ice.
She shook her head slowly. ‘I used my own judgement.’
He put his hand under her elbow. ‘I gave my pledge to look after you. I married to gain a wife, not a warrior or an advisor.’
‘But you married me,’ she whispered. ‘And I don’t know how to be anything but a warrior.’
‘Are you ready for the next lesson…in pleasure?’
Chapter Six
Hrolf heaved a sigh of relief as they rounded the corner towards where he was staying. The show of bravado by Sayrid’s brother had been the only difficulty.
Two of his men stood guard ten paces outside the house. Had they been closer to the door, Hrolf would have known the house was a trap. He wanted to rid himself of the notion that she had fainted on purpose, but his brain kept circling back to it. Could he really trust the woman he’d won as a bride?
‘Who are the guards who stand at the door? My gaolers to ensure cooperation?’ Sayrid asked in a crisp tone. ‘Is this the next lesson I should learn?’
‘My bodyguards. From Rus. They are Magda’s kin and have no part in my lessons.’ He paused and gave her a hard look. She was a warrior. She had to have seen the men and weighed up how well armed they were and what threat they posed. ‘You waited long enough to ask.’
She gave a quick laugh. ‘Maybe I feared the answer.’
‘And here I thought you were afraid of nothing except the marriage bed.’
‘I find it best to keep my fears private. Exposing them makes you seem weak and helpless.’ Her eyes flashed. ‘And I take pride in my strength.’
His heart unexpectedly twisted. He hated to think what she had been through on her various sea voyages. It had been hard for him during the first years—the testing and the proving able in battle. It must have been far worse for her.
He pushed it aside. Sayrid was born a woman, not a warrior. She had fought for her life.
‘The last thing you are is weak or helpless. You have nothing to fear from me or my men. They know you are my bride and will treat you with respect.’
‘I want to believe that. Truly I do.’
Hrolf weighed up the risks of being attacked before he nodded to his bodyguards. ‘You may join the feast now. I have no more need of you tonight.’
They each in turn bowed low and wished the couple good fortune before leaving.
‘You did that for me?’ Her cheeks became stained pink. ‘Most unexpected.’
He clenched his fist. It was a little thing, not important and yet Sayrid’s eyes shone. Had anyone ever done anything for her? Ever?
‘We won’t be disturbed further tonight,’ he said, opening the door with far more force than he intended. ‘There will be no reason to fear and no one but you is keeping you here. But I’m pleased you are here with me. I want to give you pleasure. Shall we go in?’
The room had been prepared as he requested. The coal smouldered in the fire pit, sweet wine and a light supper stood on the table next to a tafl board and finally a profusion of furs were heaped on the bed. A scene designed for seduction, but not tonight. Tonight was for finding out more and taming his wild bride. Lessons leading up to a pleasurable seduction for the both of them.
She tilted her head to one side, revealing the sweep of her long neck, but making no move to enter. His body thrummed with desire, but with difficulty he reined it in. Her eyes kept darting about as though she was searching for an exit as she waited on the threshold. ‘You are not going to carry me?’
‘I will allow you to walk as you wanted to.’ He stretched out his back. His muscles protested at the simple movement. The fight had taken more out of him than he realized.
‘I did warn you.’ She gave a throaty laugh, which caused his groin to tighten and made him forget the aches in his body. ‘You should never have attempted it earlier.’
‘Are you challenging me to do it again?’
‘I like the night air.’ She balanced on the threshold. ‘Allow me to stay outside a little longer.’
