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Blodvin’s eye turned pitying. ‘And you believe him?’
‘Why wouldn’t I?’
Blodvin drew a little line on the table. ‘Sayrid, I thought it would take more than a night spent in a man’s arms to turn you into a lump of quivering female flesh. One of the best pieces of advice my mother ever gave me was to maintain a healthy scepticism where men were concerned. It is obvious that he is simply looking for a scapegoat to cover up for something which happened weeks before.’
Sayrid stared at the other woman. Blodvin was behaving as if it were nothing. But she had seen the fresh damage to the ship and knew what the consequences could have been.
For Blodvin to dismiss it in that fashion showed that Blodvin had little idea about ships. The knowledge made her feel better. Blodvin might be beautiful, but beauty wasn’t everything. Regin’s behaviour was understandable, but misguided.
‘I can understand that approach if I was married to your father,’ she said instead.
Blodvin’s mouth dropped open. ‘I was trying to be helpful. And Regin, the poor lamb, never went near that ship. He was with me the whole time after we left the feast.’
Sayrid leant forward. ‘Are you willing to swear it to the jaarl? It might help.’
The younger woman nibbled her bottom lip.
‘It is unseemly for a woman to give testimony about her husband, but I would swear it if you think it would help. But after the baby is born, yes? I’ve no wish to travel anywhere until then.’ She patted her pregnant belly. ‘I have my child to think of. Only the best for this little one.’
The muscles in Sayrid’s neck eased. Regin had an alibi. ‘Thank you.’
Blodvin bobbed a curtsy. ‘My pleasure. I do hope we can be friends, Sayrid. The way you are acting, anyone would think you didn’t like me very much. Imagine practically accusing me of doing something untoward. And those travellers mean no harm. I’m sure of it. How humiliating to have to give up their swords and be searched for weapons like that!’
Sayrid pinched the bridge of her nose. It was far from Blodvin’s fault about their unwelcome visitors or the damage to the ship. And taking her poor temper out on her sister-in-law did no one any good. ‘It has been a trying few days. And it is customary to surrender your weapons. They will be returned to the men when they leave. Until then they will be kept in the strongroom under lock and key. It is wise to be cautious where travellers are concerned.’
Blodvin nodded. ‘I keep forgetting that you never planned to be married. Is your new daughter a trial? I mean how she behaved at the wedding. It is a wonder you allowed her to come here at all. I would have banished her and that nurse. Up to no good.’
Sayrid tilted her head to one side. Blodvin’s mind always seemed to be flitting from one subject to the next.
‘Inga? She has an active imagination, but her heart is in the right place. She and her nurse worked on this dress as they thought the colouring suited me better. Why do you think she is up to no good?’
‘The instant she saw me, she ran out of the kitchen screaming about ghosts.’ Blodvin rolled her eyes. ‘As if I could ever be mistaken for such a horrible thing!’
The back of Sayrid’s neck prickled. Had Blodvin been by the ship that night? Why would she do such a thing? It made little sense.
Inga delighted in her imagination and creating a stir. There was no way Blodvin would be involved in the sabotaging of the ship. She knew nothing about how ships were made. And what could she hope to gain from it anyway?
It made no sense. Blodvin seemed in favour of the match. And her family had no grudge against Hrolf. After all, Hrolf had nearly married her.
Sayrid pasted a smile on, but silently vowed to ask Inga about why Blodvin was a ghost. ‘She called me a frost giant for a little while, but she will come around to the idea of you. She is a lively girl and has a good sense of humour.’
‘I’m sure you are correct.’ Blodvin gave a decisive nod. ‘I don’t envy you, though. A daughter like that and a husband with a reputation like Hrolf’s.’
‘Hrolf has an excellent reputation.’
Blodvin put her nose in the air. ‘I have heard tales. Regin is very different. I intend to make something of my husband. I have my baby to think of. You just watch and see.’
‘It is well that I married Hrolf instead of you.’ Sayrid clenched her fists. Regin might not be a great warrior, but he had other points. She had thought Blodvin had seen those, but instead it sounded like she was already tired of him.
The woman’s cheeks reddened. ‘I thought we were sisters, Sayrid. You can confide in me. It is fine. I understand how these things are.’
