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Valdar’s eyes widened. ‘And you are letting her go?’
‘Rurik has never been to Sand before.’ Ash bent down and pretended to be examining various pebbles, but in reality he was aware of every movement Valdar made. ‘It seemed like an opportune moment to give in to my lady’s desire for this to happen.’
‘The Lady Kara wanted this?’ Valdar’s hand went to his sword. ‘I took you for many things, Hringson, but not a liar. The Lady Kara would never suggest such a thing. She keeps Rurik here on this estate. She fears for his life.’
‘She means to travel with Rurik whether I wish it or not. We quarrelled about it, but I lost.’ Ash waited, willing Valdar to understand what he was asking. ‘I want her kept safe whatever happens. Will you give me your pledge?’
Valdar pursed his lips. ‘Willingly. The quarrel is with you and your ship, rather than with the Lady Kara. Harald Haraldson was quite clear on that point—the Lady Kara should stay on the estate. He gave me his pledge.’
A tiny fillip of satisfaction filled Ash. His uncle didn’t want Kara there. Or rather he worried about Valdar supporting his cause if he attacked Kara as well as Ash. And he’d seen the respect she commanded. Kara had been right. She needed to go. He needed her by his side.
‘And you believe my uncle’s pledges on this matter?’
Valdar bowed his head. ‘You don’t.’
Ash held out his hand. ‘If anything happens, get her and Rurik back here. My men can do the rest.’
‘You love her.’
‘I think we both love her.’
‘Obviously.’ Valdar started towards the hall, stopped and turned with a frown. ‘How did you do it? You are gone for seven years and she falls immediately for you. What is so much better about you?’
‘Not immediately and I have no idea,’ Ash said quietly. ‘She wants what is best for her son. She has always done so.’
Valdar nodded. ‘Yes, Kara Olofdottar refused to look at me until I started paying attention to the boy. He is a pleasant boy, but he talks a lot and is not very strong. I have serious doubts about him ever becoming a warrior. I said as much to your father.’
Ash’s shoulders relaxed slightly. ‘There is more to being a warrior than brute strength. Give him time. He’ll make a fine and cunning one.’
‘It is good, then, that you returned home.’
Ash picked up a pebble and tossed it out into the lake where it made ever-expanding circles. ‘I like to think so.’
Valdar did the same. ‘You always were a lucky bastard, Hringson.’
Ash rubbed the back of his neck. The dull ache in his head began to throb with increased intensity. ‘They say you make your own luck, but now I have hope.’
‘The Lady Kara is a beautiful woman, even if she is colder than a statue. Or I thought she was until I saw her at the wedding. She possesses a fire when she is around you. You can see it in the way she moves. You make her alive.’
Ash pressed his hands against his trousers. Once he’d have crowed about her responsiveness to him, but now he knew it was private.
‘It is more than her physical appearance.’ Ash gave a wry smile. ‘I underestimated her for years. Now I’m learning her true strengths. What she has done to Jaarlshiem has been nothing short of amazing. And Rurik is a boy to be proud of. He will inherit an estate worthy of its name. I only hope I haven’t left it too late.’
Valdar stroked his chin and stared off into the lake where the faint glimmer of sunrise turned the lake’s surface to a pale pink. ‘What will happen when she goes to Sand? Will you be able to hold this estate?’
Ash gave him a sharp glance. ‘Whose man are you?’
‘I would have been Lady Kara’s until you returned.’ Valdar inclined his head. ‘But I carry her in my heart. Should anything happen to you, you must not worry about your family. How many men do you want?’
Ash released his breath. He had won a small victory. ‘I’m leaving my men here to guard Jaarlshiem in my absence. Saxi owes me several life debts. He’ll hold this place until his last breath. Get her here and he will do the rest.’
Valdar nodded. ‘I won’t pretend I’m happy about this. Something feels off. Kara should be made to listen to reason. Sand will be dangerous for you. She might be caught in something that she doesn’t understand.’
‘Now that you are standing next to me in the sunrise instead of having my uncle drip his poison in your ear.’
