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He nodded with a perplexed frown. ‘And you are certain that everything is all right?’
‘It will be. I know the honour you do Godwin.’
Edith hurried over to Hilda and rapidly explained. Hilda’s eyes went wide, but she agreed to take the message to Mary. Edith’s shoulders relaxed slightly. She’d bought a little time. Somehow, the solution would come to her—one which would enable Athelstan to live and allow her to retain this precious bit of happiness. Was it so wrong of her to put herself first for once? As Hilda had pointed out yesterday, it was important for everyone that Brand be contented and in a good temper.
‘It is done.’ She put her hand on Brand’s arm.
Brand tucked her arm in his and started to lead her towards the old storage hut, intending to show her the bath house his men had unearthed. ‘Your cousin seemed surprised at the request. Does she think that I wouldn’t want someone as able as Godwin in my retinue? He is the sort of boy who will go far. And I intend to give him that chance.’
‘Hilda thinks it is a kind thing.’ Edith concentrated on keeping her voice steady. ‘Godwin is a great favourite, but his mother may want him with her for a while longer. She’s barely recovered from losing her husband.’
‘His mother will do him no favours by keeping him as a little boy. He will quickly become a man, particularly now that his father is dead.’
A faint wistful note entered his voice. He had been the same sort of boy. The knowledge thudded through her. A kindred spirit. Edith knew she had to know more. Every time she’d asked before, he had expertly turned the conversation away from his childhood. Maybe she could find a clue this time to help Athelstan and Godwin.
‘This concerns Godwin rather than my misbegotten past.’
Edith rolled her eyes. ‘You came from somewhere. You didn’t spring full grown from the earth, ready to slay Northumbrians. I want to know about it.’
His lips turned upwards. ‘There is no need to discuss it. I live in the present.’
‘You see my past all around me, but you don’t want to speak of your childhood. Childhood shapes you.’ Edith brushed her lips against his cheek. ‘Indulge me. I’m curious.’
‘Why the sudden interest?’
Edith pressed her lips together. She could hardly confess to seeking an answer for her problem.
Edith took a deep breath. ‘I want to know if the rumour is true. Did your mother try to have you hung?’
‘My father was a jaarl, one of the old Viken king’s most trusted advisers.’
‘Then why aren’t you there?’
‘Because my mother was his concubine.’ He fingered the scar on his neck. ‘My father’s wife had other plans about who should inherit my father’s wealth. She did not want to follow our custom of providing for all children.’
She drew in her breath swiftly. ‘She did this to you? Not your mother, but your father’s wife? She caused you to be hanged!’
‘And charged no one to help me on pain of death.’ His mouth twisted. ‘I had made the mistake of loving the woman intended for my half-brother as well as daring to beat him in swordplay. She claimed I had stolen the sword.’
‘But someone took the risk?’
‘One of my father’s servant’s. I think he was in love with my mother. He arranged for the fake hanging. There was barely life in me when I was cut down. He spirited me away and it was a long time before I returned to Norway.’
‘Where is he now?’
‘Dead. His son Sven was my comrade-in-arms. We rose together. He was a far better man than I could ever hope to be and my father dismissed him as a thrall.’
‘How old were you?’
‘Fourteen. I sailed for Byzantium and made my name there. I suspect one of the reasons I was taken on initially was because I sported the scar.’ He gave a half-smile. ‘Her intention went awry.’
Edith pressed her hands together. His story gave her hope. He knew what it was like to be an outcast. She might be able to use that to save Athelstan if it came down to it. ‘Why did you leave Byzantium?’
‘There was nothing there for me.’ A muscle jumped in his cheek. ‘I trusted the wrong woman and was dismissed. Halfdan and his brothers conceived of the plan to invade England and it gave me a purpose. Halfdan has proved true to his word—he promised me land so that I could marry the woman of my dreams.’
‘Is that as rare in Norsemen politics as it is in Northumbrian?’ Edith asked lightly as a pain shot through her. There was someone he was in love with.
