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‘Did you learn anything?’ Hrolf paused in his pacing of the bedchamber. He opened his arms, expecting her to walk in to them and lay her head against his shoulder. Thoughts of her doing so had distracted him when he was unsuccessfully grilling the visitors. They still maintained that they were travellers on lawful business and had never been to the East.
‘Learn anything?’ Sayrid sat down on a trunk, ignoring his outstretched arms.
‘I worked out why you retired so easily. You wanted to find out if Blodvin knew anything.’ Hrolf put his hands behind his head. ‘You can be my eyes and ears where I can’t go. A sure benefit to having a wife.’
Sayrid tilted her head to one side. All of Regin’s insinuations about being enthralled with Hrolf to the point of stupidity came rushing back. ‘I’ve no idea what you are talking about. Get someone else to do your spying.’
He crossed the room in two strides. His heavy hands went on her shoulders, pinning her to the spot. Her flesh quivered under his fingers. The muscles in his neck relaxed slightly. She wanted him. ‘I am giving you credit by believing you were doing what I would do. Interrogating Blodvin. There is something about her story which is off. Have you spoken to your brother? Has he explained why he left?’
Sayrid bristled. She had come in ready to share her knowledge and Hrolf made it sound as if she had to do his bidding. Blodvin’s words about being cautious ate away at her soul. ‘I’m pleased you credit me with some intelligence.’
Hrolf tapped his fingers together. ‘You are one of the most intelligent women I’ve ever met. I could even have seen you leading a felag. Does that satisfy you?’
‘You might be able to see me leading a felag?’ she enquired in a silken tone, trying to keep a leash on her temper. Talk about damning with faint praise! ‘I lost an equal contest of arms to you, but before that I had over five years’ experience sailing on the sea and trading at markets. You want all that to vanish like it never happened?’
‘I want you to be my wife, properly. I think we are well suited.’ He stood stiffly as if he were reciting from memory. ‘Men and women have different spheres of influence. It is the way I was brought up, but—’
‘I can’t be that if all you want is for me to be in the kitchen and in the bedroom,’ she cried out before he finished. ‘I can’t be like my stepmother or Blodvin.’ Sayrid wrapped her arms about her middle as her entire body began to shake. ‘If you thought anything of me, you would see that.’
Hrolf was silent for a long while and when he spoke, he spoke in measured tones as if he was speaking to a child. ‘I want to find a traitor, Sayrid. I don’t care who he is. I simply want him unmasked.’
‘And if he were one of your own?’
Hrolf froze. He rejected the idea. He trusted his men. They had no reason to betray him, not after all the time they had spent together. ‘What did your brother say?’
‘He feels aggrieved and that you will condemn him without listening. He knows he was foolish and used ill-considered words.’
‘Whom did Blodvin accuse?’
‘Being with her always makes my head ache. I can’t think what Regin sees in her. But she did ask the question about your men.’
‘She has a good pair of breasts and isn’t afraid to use them.’
Sayrid’s eyes widened. ‘Excuse me?’
‘A man would have to be dead not to notice. And she made sure I noticed them.’ Hrolf rapidly explained about the way Bodvin’s cloak slipped.
‘Do you ever think of anything else?’
Giving in to impulse, he leant forward and brushed Sayrid’s lips. They trembled. A surge of male pride went through him. ‘You are jealous.’
She spun out of his grip.
‘Of her? Hardly!’
He laughed.
‘What is so funny?’
‘You looking cross when there is no need to. I noticed, but why would I be interested when someone else graces my bed?’
‘You mean you’d be interested if I wasn’t here!’
‘That is not what I said!’ Hrolf’s temper flared. Sayrid was being totally unreasonable. Accusing him of wanting another woman when all he wanted to do was spend time with her! ‘You are my wife. I’ve no intention of dishonouring you.’
Her eyes flashed a dangerous blue. ‘You mean, so soon after the marriage. I see.’
‘You see nothing at all and what are you expecting? Ours could hardly be called a love match. My battle with you was long and hard fought.’ He ran his hands through his hair, aware of Sayrid’s horrified look. He was going about this all wrong. He’d hurt her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. But the words stuck in his throat. ‘Love? Who needs it? We are married and we are compatible. Your family is complicating matters.’
