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He picked it up and examined the markings. With a start he realised who it belonged to. The audacity of it nearly took his breath away.
‘Whose helm is it?’
He balanced it on his hand. ‘Hrearek will be embarrassed when I return his helm to him.’
Her eyes widened. ‘Is Hrearek the Norseman who attempted to molest Hilda last night? That was very brave of them. My people are not that brave.’
‘Foolhardy, you mean.’ Brand shook his head. ‘He must have been drunker than I thought. I shall have fun when I present it to him.’
Her brow knitted. ‘After what happened, why would any Northumbrian dare?’
‘We have a different interpretation of events.’ Brand tapped his finger against the helm. ‘Hrearek did nothing to be ashamed of. However, some Northumbrian might have objected. After all, your cousin was the late earl’s mistress.’
Her mouth became a stubborn white line. ‘I tell you that none of my people did this.’
‘Your people?’
Her cheeks reddened. ‘Northumbrians then. The conquered.’
‘You are saying that a ghost did this?’
‘Or a Norseman,’ she retorted. ‘Seeking to cause mischief. Maybe someone holds a grudge against you.’
‘Why? What could one of my men hope to gain from this? If any has a grudge, he is welcome to speak up. He may even challenge me for the leadership of the felag.’
Her teeth worried her bottom lip. A smug expression came into her eyes. ‘If I had an answer to that, I’d tell you, but I could ask the same question—why would any of the people who live here risk displeasing their new master? They live in fear of you and any punishment you might dish out.’
‘When I require your counsel, then I will ask for it.’ Brand started to march away. He wanted to hit something hard. This was the first test of his authority here and he was not going to fail. Despite her story and shocked expression the most likely culprit stood before him. The hay on her gown proclaimed it. But he doubted she could have accomplished it on her own. He should have joined her in bed and taken his pleasure, rather than leaving her free to do mischief.
‘Wait, please wait.’ The plea in her voice echoed about the desert yard.
He retained a lead on his temper. ‘Why?’
‘You have made up your mind before you know all the facts. You need to call everyone together and ask. Then and only then will you know the full truth.’
‘Why on earth should I do that?’
‘You said that you are to be the lord over everyone in this place. Northumbrian and Norseman.’ Her chin tilted upwards slightly. ‘You don’t want to be divisive and sow the seeds of discontent.’
Brand froze. He could remember his mother complaining about his impatience. ‘And you are certain that it is not one of your people.’
‘I’d stake my life on it.’
‘Once I demonstrate to you that the guilty party is one of yours, then I expect you to show me where everything hidden is buried.’
‘I believe you’ve found everything.’
‘Insulting my intelligence will get you nowhere.’
She fingered her neck. ‘How do you know I will have buried things?’
‘Because it is what I would have done.’ Before she could protest, he shook his head, silencing her. ‘You needn’t worry. I’ll find everything. It’ll go quicker if I’ve your cooperation.’
Her eyes warred with his and she was the first to look away. ‘Very well, if it turns out to be one of my people, I will show you all of the hiding places I know about. I refuse to have any suffer on my account. But what will you give me if it proves to be a Norseman?’
‘The right to remain here, unmolested for as long as you desire it.’
‘As your adviser?’ She tilted her head to one side.
‘If you wish to be.’
She held out her hand. ‘I accept your offer with pleasure. I know my people. Shall we gather everyone and question them all at once?’
‘Do you have a better plan?’
She bowed her head and screwed up her eyes. ‘We should do it your way.’
Brand smiled slightly. She’d fallen into his trap. He would expose her for what she was. Today was turning out better than he’d planned.
