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‘Is something wrong? You are still here.’
Sayrid straightened her gown and touched the keys which hung from her belt. ‘Obey you, you said?’
Hrolf glared at her. ‘Is that possible?’
‘The women have retired to the kitchen to prepare the food. I shall as well. It was the terms of our wager, was it not?’
He lifted a brow. ‘Seeing sense at last?’
‘As you wish, husband.’ She turned her lips up to what she hoped would be an enigmatic smile. Obey him indeed. She would use her banishment to her advantage. She’d find a way to prove Regin’s innocence.
Chapter Thirteen
‘Sayrid! I thought you never went into the kitchen as a point of principle!’ Blodvin exclaimed, rising from where she sat nibbling cakes. The entire kitchen scurried around her preparing food, but not Blodvin. Blodvin rested, looking very pretty and fragile.
Sayrid stood, feeling bigger and clumsier than ever. ‘No place is hidden from me, Blodvin. And those cakes which I made yesterday were for everyone.’
‘I’ll have to have words with Auda for leading me astray. It is good that I arrived when I did. You will need someone to run this house.’
‘Why?’
‘You’ll be too busy, preparing for a war which never comes.’
Sayrid schooled her features. Auda not being there was all down to Blodvin and her sudden desire to leave. If she and Regin had stayed… And she might not be the best housekeeper yet, but she had certainly made strides. She was proud of those cakes. ‘The hall remains standing even though Auda is enjoying a welcome rest with Kettil and his wife.’
Blodvin fluttered her lashes. ‘I noticed a few improvements that could be made. I’ve given servants orders. My mother used to say what a natural housekeeper I was. If you don’t mind me saying…the cakes could use a hint more butter.’
‘I handle the servants. In the past I’ve dismissed the task far too readily.’ She took the platter from the table and placed it up high on a shelf. ‘Hrolf prefers my cakes the way they are.’
‘Well…if he does…who am I to say differently?’
Sayrid motioned to the women to keep preparing the food. In many ways it had felt good ordering the food and getting to grips with the housekeeping. It, too, required focus and a thoughtful mind. ‘I’ve heard tales about how Regin behaved at my wedding feast after he gave me a promise.’
Tears shimmered in Blodvin’s eyes. ‘We’ve returned to our house if you will have us, after the way Regin behaved. He said some dreadful things about Hrolf at the feast and nearly came to blows with Hrolf’s bodyguard. What sort of a man needs a bodyguard? And they are foreign. I got him away the best I could so we wouldn’t be murdered in our beds.’
‘Regin was foolish,’ Sayrid said. ‘But it stops. Hrolf is my husband. You are my family. His bodyguard will do nothing as you’ve no wish to harm him. I will make sure they understand this.’
‘You understand.’ Blodvin clapped. ‘I knew you would. I only have the best interests of my unborn child at heart. I couldn’t…couldn’t allow anything to happen to Regin.’
‘Credit me with a little intelligence, Blodvin.’ Sayrid leant forward. ‘Why did you and my brother leave so quickly? It looks bad. Auda had to remain behind as surety for Regin’s good behaviour.’
Blodvin led her to a quiet corner of the kitchen. ‘Something happened back at the village. I can feel it in my bones. My mother says that my great-great-grandmother was a witch and I just know things.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Whatever happened, Regin is innocent. He was with me the whole time. It pains me that so many people are quick to condemn him over a few careless words and one single ill-judged swing of the sword.’
Sayrid pulled her arm away from Blodvin, feeling larger and clumsier than ever as she managed to kick a bucket of water across the floor. All conversation and work stopped.
Sayrid marched over and righted it.
‘Hrolf’s flag ship was damaged,’ she said carefully.
‘It might have been damaged before and no one noticed.’ Blodvin rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly, these men. They are worse than children. One little thing is out of place and you’d think Ragnarök was about to arrive.’ Blodvin took the bucket and put it to one side. ‘My mother said that it was best to keep such things out of the way or warriors would trip over them. Oops! Me and my mouth. You’re not a warrior any more.’
Sayrid clung on to her temper. Blodvin did not seem to understand the danger Regin was in.
‘Hrolf swears the damage was done in the night, the same night that my brother apparently attacked Hrolf’s bodyguard.’
